The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-10-15
Invasion of Illinois Soil by Missouri
Slave hOl tcrA..~AltcmPted OouiFage
i.s Na MdOlPh CO.s..I he SlavehO R re
Back Down.

Invasion Of llifnois Soil by Missouri
l.. Me ndoiph Co....I he slave h Oilers
BacA Down.
from the St. Louis Republican,
Recently ten or fifteen slaves escaped from
the neighborhood OF Fredericksburg, Madison
County, Mo. Gu Saturday, the 18th ult., three
negroes belonging TO d, N. Fox, and two be-
longing to John II. Ghoison, escaped and made
tracks 'or Illinois. A large reward was offered
Tor the recovery Of the slaves, and party was
org aniz-d to go in pursuit Of them. Beiieving
the fugitiyes would proceed towards the town
of Sparta, Randolph county, ILL.,, the pursuing
party went in that direction. On Monday
night The 10th. it being anticipated that the run.
Always would attempt to cross Gravel Creek
Briige, between Chester and Sparta, eleven
men. duly armed, were stationed .here TO inter>
cept them. TIE negroes, who had joined some
Of those who h d previously escaped from Fred
crvksburg, did make their appearance ut the
bridge, AS had been expected When they
came up the white men rushed upon them in
order to surprise ard secure them; but the fugi
.ivcs were fn nished with ire arms, which they
Immediately began to use. A general melee
ensued, in which one Of Mr. Gholson's negroes
| was 30 badly wounded that be died in thirty six
| hours, and it is supposed that two Of Mr.. Fox's
| slaves were slightly wounded.
| One Of the pirty stationed at the bridge nam
ed Weatheringili, was arrested for the killing Of
| Gholson's negro, aud conveyed to the Jail at
Chester, where he was locked up to await trial
| The news Of his arrest greatly exasperated the
| citizens Of Madison and adjoining counties, and
| a hand Of fifty or sixty persons was organized
| with the svowed design Of releasing Weather
.insill from the Chester Jail. They crossed over
| Oh Monday last, and their appearance in Chester
excited the Iiveliest apprehensions. The Mayor
of the city issued proclamation and called on
the inhabitants 10 assist in repelIing any attack
| that might be made upon the Jail tor the rescue
| of the prisoner alluded 70. A large number
assembled, in which there were from thirty to
/ forty armed with muskets and other weapons,
but their appearance did not seem to deter The
| Missourlans from their purpose. Everything
/ indicated scene OF confusion, havoc, and blood
ssvd, until Mr.. Fox personally called upon the
mob to dispense, aud made q speech to them,
/ begging them TO desist and return peacefully TO
their homes, lerving WeasheriDgill in the Mnds
OF the Law. The appeals Of NJ. =. bad the de-
sired effect, and the meditated assault upon the
| county prison Was abandoned.
| Mr.. Fox Vas 10 this city yesterday. He thinks
the negroes have made their way 70 Chicago,
| and believes that he has laid train which will
| lead to their capture. He also reports that two
pet cons, residents Of Fredericksburg, have been
arrested for running the slaves Cd, and hare
| confessed 10 having done 90. They are incarcee-
ated in close quarters, and viii be tried in
! Madison county at the Fall term Of the Circuit
| Court. 4sksgA8