The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-12-25
The case OF asev. George Gordon


The Case OF tsev. George Gordon.
The following statement relative to this
case appears in the Cleveland Leader, over
the signature of R. F. Payne, U. S. District
Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio;
The United States) In the District Court
VS.. oiOhio. Tried at the
George Gordon,> November term, 1861.
This was a prosecution for violation oi
the 50th section of the act for the punish
ment Of crimes, found in Brightly's Statutes,
page 2l2, and passed April 80, 1870. The
section punlshes any person who Shall know
ingly and wilfully obstruct, resist or oppose
any offer OF the United States, in serving or
attempting to serve or execute any writ, pro
cess, warrant, etc, issued by any person au
thorized to issue the same, by imprisonment,
not exceeding twelve months, and by fine
not exceeding three hundred dollars. The
defendant was indicted at the November
term, 1860.
The testimony on the trial established,
beyond rational doubt, that on the 10Th
day OF September, 1860, three men from
Kentucky came to Cincinnati, and made affi-
davit before U. S. Commissioner Newhall,
that three persons owing them service and
labor IN Kentucky had fed, and were then in
the State Of Ohio The procured three war
rants and placed them in the hands of Mar
shall Sifford of the Southern District. Mar
shal S!fford called TO his assistance two of
his deputies and two or three men beside the
Kentuckians, and the company ON the 10th
Of September left for he vicinity OF Iberia,
where they understood the slaves were. A
ILar, a. IL
the cars, and con after, under the orders
and directions Of Marshal Sifford, Joseph l..
Barber, one of the Deputy Marshals, taking
warrant for Granderson Martin, and taking
two Of the company with h,m, went as he
was directed, to the house OF James Ham
mond, where it was supposed Marin was -
When he arrived at the house it had begun
to grow dark. He knocked at the door, and
a lady came to it, Of whom Barber inquired il
. colored boy was there by the name ofMar-
tin. He was told he was not. He then in
quired if such person had not been there,
and was answered in the affirmative He
asked her where he then was, the lSdy told
him she did not know, and if she did she
would not tell Barber told her he had
warrant for Martins arrest, and it was his
duty TO be satisfied he was not there. The
lady lgh ted candle, gave it to him, and
told him he could search the house, which
Barber did slightly, but to his satisfaction, no
other person entering the house. Mr.. Bar.
ber and his associates tren left, and went
back to point on the railroad, some mile and
a hall, where they, by agreement, were to
report themselves.
Soon after they reached the railroad, and
while waiting there for the arrival OF the 9th
er companies, men began to collect and in
quire their business, accusing them Of being
robbers and thieves. Mr.. Barber assured
them that they were not robbers .or thieves.
but that they were on legitimate business
There was in company with Mr.. Barber at
this time Mr.. Renick, Of Columbus The
crowd now numbered some fifteen OF twenty
and grew more and more boisterous and ex
cited. Mr.. Barber, thinking his safety re-
auired it, now told them he was United
States Marshal, that he had q warrant to
serve, explained the nature Oft, and demand |
ed their protection and assistance. At this
they became more excited than ever aud be-
gan to threaten to hang them, the crowd all
the time increasing. The crowd now seized
Barber and Renick and took them some half
mile from where they were, and off the |
railroad track, to The edge of piece Of woods |
After looking lor q sui able tree from which |
TO hang them, and boas,ing that halter had |
been procured for the purpose, the crowd
changed their minds and concluded to shoot
them, Barber and ReDck we're now separa-
ted some orty feet, and held end searched.
On Mr.. Barber they found wallat contain
my his private papers and about twenty four
dollars in money, his pistol, small bowie
knife, his warrant and letter from Mr.. Sit
ford. To secure the wallet, they tore the
pocket from his pantaloons. The crowd then
demanded tllat barber and Renick should
kneeI with their faces in opposite directions
and some thirty PAGES apart, declaring that /
they would shoot them. henlck oteyed, but /
Barber refused They then stripped on Bar
ber's oyefcoat, dress coat, vest and shirt. lea
wing his onder shirt. In his condition they |
seized him and by force put him upon his
knees. A file OF three or iour men was then |
drawn up in front oi him, and orders given
to cock their guns make ready. and take
aim; ali Of which.was gone through with. 1t
was then suggested that they should not
shoot them. but that they should be whipped
until tbey told where the colo,ed boy was
Barber assured them that he did not know,
that be had seen nothing oi him, and did not
know that any had been arrested
Two or three men seized each Of Mr.. BIS |
hands, pulling his arms ousat full length,
and two colored men, one very large athlet. !
ic man, with large limbs cut fIom the trees
proceeded to lash him in the most brutal
manner, whipping him until the small branch.
Cd were worn from the limbs and the color !
ed men exhausted, and Mr.. Barber. lacerated
and bleeding, having upon him several cash. |
T--'~ I1r ]. = s'A.,e :..g =. =. 1900. es.s