Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-05-23
[From the IN. ~ World
4 Thrilling Story of a Virginia Refugee
WAsuISGroY Nav & 1861

have obtained the data of the following
story from q Virginia gentleman, who had
been compelled to retire at short notice "
from a large estate in the Old Dominion. and
to submit 10 its confiScaticn on account of sup
posed sympathy with the Union party He is
gentleman of high official position under the
government, AID | regret that prudence aud
hIS own request requires me TO suppress his
name, which, by long history of faithful and
unSwerving devotion TO the Union, has become
familiar at the North TO this VERY crcum-
stance he probably owes his present iflictions,
the detail of which in itself may furnish mate
rial for an interesting sketch, at some future
time
The subject Of the foowing-John A. Ford
was an intinate friend TO The gentleman Just
referred 10, and an old soldier in the Mexi an
war On his return he settled and married in
Petersburg, Va, engaging in the trade OF a
bookseller and statoner. By prudence, indus.
try and integrity, he had made himself ,ropri-
etor ol 9 thriving little business. and had won
a circle OF warm friends. His stock two weeks
ago was valued at $4,000 lie is now in
Washington, with very ltttle hope of ever be-
ing able 10 recover aay of. his property, and
has very narrowly escaped with his lfe as |
shall show
The aews Of the battle of Baltimore. two
weeks ago Friday, arrived in Petersburg the
same evening. The following morning Mr..
Ford, in conversation with friend, casually
made the remark that had he been the MasSa-
chusetts Regiment, instead Of shooting four
teen or fifteen OF the mob who asSailed the
troops so brutny, he would have shot four
tefa or fifteen h6ladred Of them He thought
nothing more OF the circumstance until just as
evening was approaching ard he was quietly
passing 10 his home from the business of the
day, when he va stopped in the street by sew
eral gentlemen who announced themselves as
vigilance committee. appointed to examine
him as TO his political sentiments. Conscious
Of no disoyaty to the State or to his country,
he Cheertuly consented TO the examination,
and told :hem TO proceed The remembrance
of the remark he had made had quite escaped
began to collect about him, aud demonstra.
tions OF an insulting nature were commenced
as the examination proceeded "D-d ab.
oitioni>t u Hang him !" Hang him ~
" | Il get rope !" dc, &c, cried number of
The spectators, aud The crowd rapidly increased,
ua;il hundreds surrounded him and the commit,
Tee. After some conversation, test queS-
ton was decided upon by his intcrrogaiors,
and was put TO Gim 10y The chairman Of the
committee.
Chairman: If our slaves should rise against
their masters in this community, should you
f. sht with the slaves or with their masters p
Mr.. Ford Gentleman, am surprised at
your question. am loyal and truehearted
citizen Of Petersburg and this State. have
lived with YOU several years, and all | have
or hope TO be is with you, and should a slave
iusarrection occur here, you will find me among
the foremost IN defending you and the citizens
Of Petersburg against them"
The answer Was satisfactory 10 the commit
tee, aud the chairman, turning to the throng,
il. and their convection that Mr.
Ford entertained 10 sentiments that were trea-
sonable or diS0yal At this moment cries of
" He's a Black Republican ~ Damn his
Back Republican soul" TO hell with him!"
" Hang him y Hang him" &c, rose in
varouS quarters and scene of great confu.
sion followed, with indications that the en-.
ragged mob would execute their threats, despite
the conclusion announced by the committee
A it partly ceased, one Of the spectators
cried OFT TO Mr. Ford, Did You say this
morning that yoa wished that the MasSachu-
SettS troops had shot fourteen or fifteen hun
dred Of the citizens of Baltimore yesterday ~
This MIR. Ford could not deny, aud he dis
regarded the question The fury of the popu.
lace at his hesitaacy knew no bounds, and
yeiiS and screams, aud threats OF the most pro
lane aud dIabolical character were heaped up.
on him, and followed 10y rush Of number Of
the most daring to rescue him from the hands
Of the committee, who still stood next 10 him.
A number Of his friends near by, and among
them two or three members Of the Masonic
Lodge, to whom he belonged in Petersburg,
then pressed toward hin, aud succeeded in
the darkness which had come on during the
examin naton in pulling him along the street,
aud out of the reach of the rush, into a store.
Through the store he Was urged into an alley
way in the rear, while the crowd in the street,
vino had lost track Of him, were clamorously
in se3gch A friend and Masonic brother ac-
him rapidly through the alley and
conducted him to the Only place of safety
when probably could have concealed him-a
tomb in his family burying ground Taxing
they key of the vault hastily from his pocket
he opened it, urged Mr. Ford in among the
coiIins, locked the door upon him aud quickly
disappeared.
That night and the following day every
place and byplace IN the town was ransacked
in the eager search Of the mob for the victim
who had SO terribly and narrowly escaped their
They finally concluded that he had
spirited away, and relaxed their vigilance.
Meantime Mr. Ford remained undisturbed
with darkness and the dead. There were sew
eral bodies deposited there-far less feared we
presume, 10y him than by the living. History
can surely point to few more thrilling incidents
than this wing eLt 'mbmeat.
At 8 o'clock the following Monday morning
the train was to leave for Richmond. Al an
L L u L.: Il