Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-31

to touch the pole--there were men enough to
defend it," Sc. On one occasion an old resi-.
dent of the neighborhood was assaulted be-
cause he declared the pole nuisance, and on
another threats were made to ride upon rail
a gentleman living near by, because he had
spoken southern sentiments freely in Deco
guam. This raised much feeling in the neigh
borhood, and at a meeting at Brentsville some
time about last court, it was agreed that the
flag was an insult to the people of Virginia,
and incendiary in the object it was raised to
promote, and should be torn down on Friday,
the It'll day of July.
Intelligence of this determination soon
reached OccoQuan, and on Monday night re-
publican meeting was held there to devise
measures for the defence of the tiag-poe. The
following morning Mr.. j. G. Athey visited
Washington, and sent to Gov. Letcher the
despatch we published yesterday. Whilst i'll
Washington, Athey made arrangements with
certain republicans to furnish forty or fifty
| firearms of approved make, with ammunition
| therefor which were to be sent to Occoquan
on Tuesday night by wagon. The despatch
| from Gov. Letcher, however, induced the aban-
donment of this plan.
On the morning of the 9th, the republicans
hoisted the American flag and the party ensign
bearing the names Of Lincoln and Hamlin. AT
half past three o'clock the Prince William Cav
IL.
village, and ranged themselves in the neigh
borhood of the pole. They were followed by
a company Of about forty strong, under COM
| mand of Captain Fitzhugh and Major Carter,
| who, paying no attention whatever to the
horsemen, quietly formed in a hollow square
around the pole, facing inwards. Whilst this
company was surrounding the pole, Mr.. Jo-
seph I. Janney advanced to the captain of the
troop OF horse and claimed protection for his
property, upon which the pole stood.
AT the word of command James W. Jack
son, of Fairfax, stalwart yeoman, sprang
forward and gave the first blow. Others fol
lowed, redoubling stroke on stroke. During
the time there was no interruption save the
republicans and others who stood at corners
near by wound Cry out. "Ain't your axe
dull? Hope you're having a good time,' &c.
In few minutes however, there was cry OF
Stand from under ! and the pole came to the
ground.
Instantly the crowd gave three cheers, when
the republicans responded by three cheers tor
Lincoln and Hamlin.' All were quickly at work
on the fallen pole, and in less time than it takes
to tell, and it was chopped up and the pieces
carried off. The flag was sent to Brentsvllle
As soon as the flag pole was levelled, Captain
Fitzbugh ordered about face, and his COM
pany marched off, saluted as they went by
mingled jeers and applause.
During tile evening there was some excite
ment, and personal recontre took place be-
tween Col. Brawner and Joseph T. Janney, in
which the latter was considerably injured
The crowd cleared away during the evening,
and at shutdown all was quiet. The republi-
cans say they will put up another pole on the
same site
A report reached here tonight through
parties who were at Occoquan yesterday, that
the greatest excitement prevailed at that place
when they left; that several republicans had
been attacked, and severe fights resulted. One
statement is that Mr. fanny, a Bell and Ever
EFT man-an old settler in Virginia, large
property holder, and the owner of the land
where the liberty pole was erected-was bru.
tally assailed and beaten, because he asserted
he had the right to declare his own principles
upon his own homestead, and to permit others
to exercise their rights within his own grounds
if il nleased him to do So