Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-05-17

N'SNA nSAV ihVihlub pun spurs 10 my
horse and put out for Austin.
Perhaps wasn't glad to leave Cald- |
well; perhaps 1 didn't breathe freezer at
each bound Of the horse; perhaps suppli- |
cations for the happiness of my friend,
Crittenden, did not arise from my heart.
But my experiences were not yet ended.
About noon, while riding briskly along.
my horse fell, throwing me with great vi
olence to the ground. 1 was seriously in
lured. Some travellers carried me to a
house, near by, where / was cared for
with tolerable degree of humanity.
Two letters and a newspaper directed
to me, having arrived at my first stopping
place. the paper was opened BY the vigil.
anee committee, and proving to be Repub-
liean in politics, it was considered sufficient
to warrant my arrest. Accordingly mes
senger was despatched to Caldwell for that
purpose.
He arrived there the morning after nv
departure. Search was made for IN Z about
town; the most exaggerated reports we're cir
culated. and horsemen were sent out in ey.
cry direction.
The travellers who had found me on the
road, encountered one of them and related
the occurrence. A posse Immediately came
on to the house where was stopping. 1t
was about midnight when they arrived.
Striding into the room where [ lay, with
horrld imprecations they ordered me to
arise. 1t was impossible for me to do So
The physician who was attending me. re-
monstrated against their barbarity-said
l was totally unable to travel Cursing
him as an "infernal quack" and swearing
by all the saints 10 the calendar, that i
was to be hung a'ayhOW, they carried me
out and placed me upon my horse Horse
men rode on each side and supported me
in the saddle. In this way they moved
slowly back to Caldwell On arriving
there, they paraded in front of the hotels
and public places announcing with yells
OF triumph that they'd got i'm" The
vigilance committee took me in charge.
Crttenden was out of town. The commit
tee at Cameron had sent word that was
undoubtedly "Lincolnite," an insurrec-
tlon agent, and requested me to be sent to
them for trial.
1t was two weeks before my medical at
temdant consented to my removal. In
the mean time the cbivalrous possee that
had me in charge, proceeded to con6scatc
my property. They took my horse sad
de bride, trunk, books, clothes, watch,
microscope, even tiny miniature locket-
everything | possessed save the clothes
that covered me-
by the way, hanging Northern men.
down South as Abolitionists. especially
pedlars, and taking their effects te ''defray
expenses" is paying business, and is be-
coming quite common. On being deemed
able to travel, | was placed upon mule,
aud possec under the command of one
Carol set out with me for Cameron, thirty
five miles distant.
The number Of men that were called out
to guard me, was an amusing lesson on
the bravery of the Southern Chivalry.
During the day, Carroll constantly rode
near we---frankly told that he considered
my case desperate indeed, Expressed deep
sympathy for me - and being Law yer. vol.
unteered to plead my cause. accepted
his services. Glad to secure the friend
ship of any one then, | told him, as ma
council, that | was an 0berln student
Republican in politics--and down" on Sc
cession the hardest kind-facts which for
obvious reasons had kept to myself A
''sheep skin" from Oberlin being about as
easy passport to the gallows in the South
as anything | know Of
He pledged me his wSrd and honor Ito
do all he could for me-" On arriving at
Cameron, the vigilance committee immedi-
atel y assembled. The ball in which they
met was crowded to its utmost capacity
Every one had come with morbid curios-
ity to see the AbolitioRist. All eyes were
directed toward me and confused hum
constantly smote my ears as they "cussed
and discussed" my appearance. demeanor
DC. A harder locking set of devils, nev-
er saw. Icould count fifty revolvers & bow.
ie knives grinniug savagely from belts and
pockets. From window near which [
sat. could distinctly see a gallows upon
which man had been hung, a short time
previous, for parading the streets when in
toxicated and hurrahilg for "old Abe"
] confess felt uneasy. | was not certain
but | would be struggling ia death from
the same scuffold, before the sun went
down; but the promises of Carroll inspired
me with hope. and cluDg to him as the
last desperate chance for life.
Anxious for the cause of justice. three
lawyers were appointed to prosecute me.
At the commencement Of the trial. oh
served with some surprise that my council
had taken hia aeat some distance frnrn ma