The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-11-29
THE RESURRECTION EXCITEMENT.

Charlestown so long before the execution, were
contained in dispatches and letters which too plain
ly indicated settled purpose of rescue. In the
opinion Of Governor Wise the presence of large
body of wellappointed troops would advise evil
disposed persons of the folly of such an attempt,
and thus be the means of preserving life:
Extract from. a Letter from. Lerisburg, Union
County, Pc, Novemaber Is, 1859.
'As friend to the Constitution and the Union,
feel it my duty to apprse you of sworn, secret
and lawless band of fanatica abotionists and black
republicans now forming in this well as several
other counties in this State. The principal organ
ization is in this village, and auxiliary societies ex
list in the neighboring towns They call them
selves The noble Sons of Liberty, and as far as
can learn number about FIVE HUNDRED in all and
are led by Capt. James Smelley, alias Timber
JIM an ultra abolitionist of this village. They
are armed with pair of Colts revolvers each, and
design dropping into Charlestown and the adjacent
places by ones and twOs, so as to avoid suspicion,
and when all are collected at Charlestown, at a
certain signal pounce upon the Jail and demand
the release of that old villain John Brown, now a
prisoner in the hands of the judiciary Of your State
1.-THE reason for using revolvers is, that they can
he carried about the person without attracting at
tention or exciting suspicion.
"The exact time for collecting the forces OF the
brigands above mentioned / could not ascertain,
but they will 90 to Charlestown in disguise, and
mostly by night, which, / believe is the plan
adopted by their ringleader
4"Thus far they have observed the utmost secrecy
rs the existence and object of their association
and to avoid suspicion the part Of all outsiders
here, they will leave gradually so that their mo-
tiyes will not be suspected until day or two pre-
yious to the execution of Brown. x
81 was ushered into a large room, where, to my
establishment, | found about seventy-6vc persons
cOngregated-all seemingly conversing upon some
topic which they wished kept secret. =
''Whe | was in the room several persons were
initiated and took the oath of membership"
Ertroct from Letter from Enon, Clark County,
Ohio.
"Although We are personally entirely strangers
to each other, | take the liberty of addressing
few lines to you; whether they will be of any ben
eft to you not, | know not. Since the break
out of trouble at Harpers Ferry there has becn
and still continues to be, great deal of fear and
anxiety with regard to the result, and my object
in addressing you is to let you know that it is the
opinion of a number of our citizens that there will
be desperate effort made to save the notorious
Brown from being executed, and that may be done
by sudden and tremendous rush on the guard.
i will not dictate but | think you will need
heavy and efficient guard, and well arranged and
well posted; otherwise, should be fearful of the
efusion of blood, if reports be true you may pre-
pare for a struggle. 1t is reasonable to suppose
that Brown, having rendered efficient service for
the Republican party in Kansas and elsewhere,
they will not see him swing, if they can avoid it.
If our
anticipatons correct with regard to your having
trouble on the day of execution, (and it might be
a rush on the prison previous to the day Of execu-
tion,) We would expect to see your towns, villages
and hotels crowded with strangers few days be-
fore the day of execution, all secretly armed.
r.. Y
IA, 1859.
"My object in addressing you, is to inform you
of the existence of an organization in this city,
tending to the city of Boston and the interior of
this State, which has for its object the rescue of
John Brown, the insurrectionist, the day and
the event of the execution This organization is
composed exclusively of crazy abolitionists and
runaway negroes, and yet their plans are very ex-
tensIve and apparently practicable, and If carried
Out, well calculated to insure the accomplishment
of the object IT, however, they should fail in the
attempt to release Brown, they propose to wreak
their vengeance upon those who have been instru-
mental in securing that justice for the criminal,
which he richly deserves. My informant is a
man of character, and believe OF strict integrity,
who is identified in some manner with the organi-
cation himself, though l have endeavored to dis
suade him from engaging in such perilous enter
prise. All that have learned in relation to this
affair was impaired to me in confidence but an If
resstible Of duy and the hope that the whole
affair may be frustrated (f such object really
contemplated) constrains ME to acquaint you with
the fact.
Extract ofa Letter from Harrisburg.
81 will reveal to you conversation between
myself and from this town, who has travelled
recently through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio
and Illinois His statement is this: He conversed
with man in Ohio who told him that you knew
the North too we'll not to reprieve those under
sentence; and that if you did not repricve them
then they would certainly rescue them He was
then told there, by who was favorable to the
South, that there certainly a movement on
foot to rescue the fugitives now under sentence
He was also told by the person that there was
a company of men, numbering 250, who had left
that State under pretence of going out on hunt
ing excursion; but the statement false as their
intention to come to Virginia and skulk around
until the day of the execution of the prisoners and
then to rescue them with aid from New York.
''He says the New York people decidedly
in favor of rescuirg him BROWN Consequently
think it would be right and proper to be well for
tined IN case of all emergency. | think it would
be we'll to have considerable force at Charlestown,
preceding the day of the execution
Extract from Letter from Columbia, Tenn.
81 have received letter from friend in the
north telling that it is the intention of the abo
litionists to rescue old Brown and his party. l am
a Northern man, but have no sympathy with these
scoundrels who would murder innocent women and
children.