Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1861-01-12

young man-FitSgerald-vho went from East
Tennessee to Texas, four years since, left with his
family for Kansas. After going about thirty
miles, they we're taken back by q mob ostensibly
yet really by friends from their own town-to
save them from the County Vigilance Cowmittee,
publicly tried and acquitted, aud scot with a guard
on their why, past immediate danger, But they
could net como direct. but were obliged to make
1850 miles, TO his mothers, in Arkansas. instead
Of the 500 miles, that his family came. Indeed,
HE family were followed $50 miles by a murderous
rabble, t~hirstiug for his blood, in the hope Of his
joining his loved ones. A few days after their ar
rival at his mothers, be went to see Rev. Mr.. Bew-
ley, who was then some near 6fsy miles far
ther on bis way, and returned on Saturday. Mon
day, a. M, Bewley was taken and put on the Cal
Norma overland stage guarded by nine men. a.
Fayetteville, within niue miles of where Willett
was, six o.. hem left to start a company for Willett,
so that they cLuld bave the two at the fatal tree,
at the same time. A friend, who learned heir
business, managed to detain somo Of them, aud
sent a messenger to him, to fly instantly. Catch
ing their rifles, he and Fitzgerald left, and in a
few moments were out Of sight. Only fifteen min
utes alteTwnrd the house was surrounded, and sixty
mon searched that vicinity all day. Indeed their
spies and scouts we're out for weeks, and his
horse was watched five weeks, 10 the belief Of hs
returning for it. OF their adventures and hair
breadth escapes, l will not enter into the details ;
sufficient, that they often heard tho conversation
Of their pursuers, telling that they would "shoot
them down if they made any Resistance" and, "if
one shoots, all shoot" &c. For seven days, they
were without any food, save ~sassafFss buds and an
occasional acorn, or bunch of grapes; will fruit
being very scarce there, this year. Once they
we're withou. water fOrts-eight hours, and often
twenty-four, and almost daily removing to some
new hiding.place, because they ascertained that
their trail had been discovered,
Ga the eighth day, they went into a field of corn
and plucked several roasting ears, which they de-
vouIed without any preparation. Scarcely had
they finished this-to Thorn luxuriant meal-before
they found themselves almost in the clutches Of
the foe heard them say, shat, from their tracks,
they would undoubtedly pass that way, that night,
and strike the road about here !" I'VE ran for
dear life, until we thought it safe to break into q
tro., which we did not slGcken for five miles; then
we rested a few minutes, and walked all night"
BS q circuitous course, often travelling in opposite
directions, they walked $50 miles, and thence By
boat near 1000 miles to Kansas City, and then
again took a pedestrian tour, across the Territory
to Allen county, where be first heard from his
family they we're in Linn county, 25 miles dis
tant, which they reached the next day, "~foot-sore
and weary"--their feet badly %olistered, and nature
nearly exhausted: they had bad no change Of gar
ments during these five weeks. Mr.. W:llett lef
without any coat, and only linen pants, and thu
Ill., boJ lain ont during the frnsku niphta. on the
bare earth, without even q blanket for a covering
II FUND my wife nearly distracted she hat
given up almost every hope of my safety"
."And here l will say, that she was followed frcr
Arkansas, to within u miles Of Fort Scott, il
Kansas, cursed and abused with every indignit.
in words, though no personal violence was offered
except the throwing Of stones against their wagon
in which they were sleeping, &c. They threatene
to "choke her tongue out of her mouth, upless sh
would tell where her husband was" &c. The los
day all but one fell of, and he passed them
miles beyond Fort Scot. went on and passed til
night there, and they met him the next morning
on his return" Willett had twice written to b
wife, Of his continued safety, and in the last, mel
toned that he should probably 60 direct to
brother in Illinois, and stop awhile. Willett b
HeveS that this man TOOK out lnOse letters trOm u
Fort Scott pOst-ofice. aud that was what turne
him back. But nearly every week since spies ha'
been seen in the neighborhood. But no smo
force now dare attack him. He is never unarme
and the community here will aid him, If need b
lie say, 81 never will be taken alive | had rat
er be shot in a free State than hung in a Ola'
State" These exposures have seriously injur'
his health, and produced severe infam alton of Il
eyes, which still remains. And what crime b
made him an outcastf On his trial in Texas. b
fore a jury, in which ~ffty-twO witnesses were e
AHMED, on the charge Of promulgating autI-sl
very sentiments, he was acquitted And this "
the only charge!
3ewiey was arrested in Missouri. By ArAansa
ties and taken back to Texas-375 miles-for I
same reason that Jesus was betrayed the piec
of silver. Five men took him back, and receiv
only $3.50. A small pittance truiy-6fty dolla
each-"not enough to pay their liquor bills,
they drank as much as when at home" They
pecsed to receive $1,000.
CAPTAIN MONTGOMERY.