The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-02
eERRT SMITH AND TINE HARpEwsFEaay OUTBREAK

GERM SNlIIH ANU ut hARPER'S FERRY OU JBhtAk.
-~~~~~>>~-s~S>>>~>~~>>~>@~e
A visit Ia the Heme OF Gerrit smfth-Tho
People or Madison DctSrmlned 20 Resist
HIS ssurrender-Mr. Smiths Alarm and
Probable Completely with the Insuwrec-
tion-His Friends Dissuade Him from
Publishing = Full stascment, which
would show Others more Implicated
than Himsslf-IIis Preparations for De-
fence, &C., SC.
PROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
PETrRBoRo, Madison county, Oct 81, 1850
Eleven miles from the Oneida depot the Central Rail
road, percbed well up the hills Of Madison county, rs
the quiet little village, settlement Of Poerboro'. Tue
last census shows it to have been that time coIlec
tion Of three hundred and forty seven sous Is
by no means progressive locality and the natural in
crease by birth and decrease by death about keep each
other balanced, it Is reasonable conclude that tho mum
Der of It's Inhabitants s about the 1t pret
ty village, the houses and being clustered manly
the north and south sides Of long green surrounded
with trees At the east end Of this greent wouli BIO
dgnihed with the name Of park in cys the once pop
uar Peterboro Academy, diapdated in exterior and
degeneraed internally and at the west end s the Fay
House the sole hotel tavern of which the settlement
boast The street at the west end stretches q
little TO the souib beyond the green and contains few
struggling residences and the village church. On the
south side Of the green fifteen prva dwellings,
and that important institution, the Post Office. On the
north side ind six eight dwellings, drug stores,
a ailors shop, two groceries, country dry goods
store, corner building, Of glarng yellow COLOR bear
ing the sign Of the Pecrboro Hote but with s doors
and windows all closed and the residence of the Hon.
Gerri Smith, member Of Congress- abolitonst, ant
supposed accompce of the Harpers Ferry nsurrecton
lists
Ihave said that Petorboro is pretty village. Ishoad
have said IL must be in time, for all is
bleak dreary and desoate. The bare and the
grass is wthered. Enough hs ground 10 give
the soveny, dirty aspect, like female n soiled
white dress, and the air Is cold and damp Three hun
dred and forty inhabitants out Of the three
hundred and forty-se appear TO appreciate the
comfort Of indoor life, for have only seen some half
dozen faces out Of doors in twenty four hours But
though 70 outward appearance everything Is dull, no
little excitement exists in the vage, and indeed 10 most
pats of the country the subject Of the Harpers Furry
AHA II. In all circles that event and the runored
ton Of Gerr Smith with the nsurrectonsts form the
ple Of conversation. The widest OF
aoat and copjectures that speak but lily for the nteB
gence or common Of the community are freely
banded about
The first person with whom ! had any conversation
tho subject Mr. p Farrell strong republican, land
lord Of the bote at the Oneida Railroad depot and as
found his sentiments very generally re-echoed during
my progress through the county ii may be ofsome into
rest to report exactly what was said.
"Is there much excitement about here in regard TO
the Harper's Ferry atairS" asked.
"Yes sr,' emphatcally replied Mr.. Farrell al guess
Gerrit Smith considerably excited about that matter
He is tel-graphing from here all the while His Niger
was over hero day before yesterday qne ae with des
patches The telegraph Office closed, and he bad to
remain until morning The old gentleman, evidently, is
good deal uneasy"
Question What is he uneasy abouH Does he fear an
arresH
Mr.. f. Well, don't know that he fears anything uhere
hs principles are invo,ycd; but then no b ssassd and
uneasy about IL, and suppose ha Ia nch eal
about Old Brown.
O. Suppose warrant should come here for his arrest
on requson from the Governor Of Virginia, do you
think be would goY
MIR. F. Well 80 far as he is concerned himself, il let
alone he probably would not resist it.
Q. Would any body else resist
Mr. f. guess would be tough work to attempt to go
him out Of Madison county.
@ wbyS Would the people offer any violent opposition
to officer?
Mr.. F. An oficerl Why it would take regiment of
soldiers to get him away Yes sir, the people would
sist They II never let Gerri Smith 60 to vrginh that
you may bet on.
@ Do they SO generally sympathze with his abolition
sentiments, then, In this county9
Mr. F. No, they do not. But then there g scarcely
In the county who has not at time other
asked favor Of some sort Of Gerrt Smith and
ever away unsatished. Aside from polu ss, he
every mans friend, and when that g so, difficult
make people consent let such be arrested and
taken of 10 another State.
O. Then the people hercabouts are fond Of Mr..
Smi.hY
Mr. F. Fond Of him guess they are. No one can
help it, for he g o noble old fellow.
O. You say he g sorry for Ossawatomie Brown, as
they call him. Do you suppose he was personally well
acquainted with him2
Mr.F. Oh, yes. Brown here constantly some years
ago. He bought cattle to take to Ohio. His sons
were here with him. and he had big law suit growing
out ofa wool contract In which Timothy Jenkins his
lawyer. He was fine, honest appearing fellow, and
generally liked.
This was the substance Of the conversation but when
left Oneida for Peterboro the following Sunday
ing the landlord remarked stepped into the buggy
Tell Gerrit that If those Harpers Ferry fellows take
him II must not be from here. Wen make the old house
a fort frstp'
drove from Oneida, eleven miles up HILL TO Petorboro
on Sunday morning, Indifferent road Once during
the ride drew up at little roadside tavern for the Gus
tomary refreshments-water for the horse AMI whskey
for the driver The occupants Of the barroom three
men well advanced in years-the landlord and two Of his
neighbors-one lame the other partially blind, and the
third very deaf The cheerful log Gre tempting and
so throwing of my shawl and pulling off my gloves,
took seat on the wooden bench n front Of the CRATE
Now, thought to myself here am in search OF informa
ton-feeling tho public pulse, as it were and
certaining what the popular sentiment Is In re-
spect TO this dangerous affair IN Virginia, aud its
probable consequences. Here is opportunity learn
opinions Of three honest dsinerested Of the rural
districts and little investment accompanied by proper
degree Of caution may accomplish my object Acting
upon the mental suggestion, invited my three elderly
friends to the bar and rye whskey was the only be-
verage to be procured, took drinks round, Of
course very lightly and the invited guests rather
sodly After beating about the bush for time wari
ly 60 not to sare the brd approached the subject
upcn which most desired information " Anything new
;rnu or pas