Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-11-24
THE GREAT CONSPIRACY In CHICAGO
Further Arrests of Citizens and Rebels---Pt 00fS
Observation-Disclosures of the Criminals.
From the Chicago Journal, 18th inst.


We are authorized by Colonel Sweet, the
commandment Of the post at Camp Douglas,
to state, that upon evidence that be had re-
ceived Of the completely of number of citi-
zens in the great conspiracy to rescue the
rebel prisoners and fire the city, he proceeded
to arrest the following parties last night:
| c. W. Patten, Democratic Judge Of the
First Precinct of the First Ward poll at the
recent election, and member of the State
Council, Sons of Liberty.
Francis Adams, present Democratic City
Attorney, and one who signed the circular
on the day Of election denouncing the arrests
made as an "election trick"
Obadiah Jackson, Jr., leading Democrat
and lawyer, and Grand Seignior of the Sons
Of Liberty.
James Harmon, wealthy Kentucky Demo,
crat, and - Semmes, nephew of the pirate
of that name, and James Geary, leading
copperhead, and F. W. Hoffman. The latter
upon making a statement that, upon discov-
ering the Order to be reasonable, he aban-
doned it after attending one meeting, was dis
charged. .... ..
Obadiah Jackson, Jr., in a long interview
with the authorities, stated freely and frankly
his connection with the whole matter He
said he joined the Sons of Liberty three or
four months since, at the instigation of Judge
Burdick S. Morris, upon the representation
that it was simply a Democratic party organi-
cation. He was taken by Morris to McCor-
mick'sbuilding, where he was initiated. Short
ly before the election he was informed that
he had been elected Grand Seignior of the
Order He presided at a number of meetings
of the Order, at the Invincible Club
Rooms The last of these meetings
was on the Sunday before the election
Charles. Walsh, Patten and others were
present. THE discussion aCdS IN relation to tie
1csceling of the prisoners of Camp Douglas, arm
ing the members, AMI taking possession of the
polls. Walsh, Geary, Patten and others sta
ted that there were plenty d arms IN the city
for the distribution of arms Uere indicated at that
meeting, one Of og15ich was the LaviaciJle Club
Room. As presiding officer, he appointed the
committee to distribute the arms, of which
Semmes was a member. He says at that
meeting he (Jackson) first discovered that the
design of the organization was reasonable,
and hat it would lead to bloodshed and rev.
olution, and he determined to expose the
Order to the authorities, but the military ar
rests made the same day, he thought, render
ed it unnecessary. a-.. sag
Mr.. Geary's business, being a second hand
clothing dealer, appears to have been to fur
nish rebel prisoners who got away from Camp
Douglas with clothing, to enable them to es
cape, as well as to the rebel officers for con-
cealment, whilst insthe city aiding and assist
ing the conspiratoTs.
From the extract Of the testimony volun-
teered by Messrs. jackson and Hoffman, it
will be seen that Colonel Sweet has not act
ed hastily or unadvisedly. And yet this is
but small portion of the da1nning proofs he
has in his possession in regard to this infam-
Gus and diabolical plot. He deemed it his
duty to make sure of the guilt of those VINO
were most prominent and influential and he
is amply borne out in ali that he has done. -
The rebel officers came here by the inEi-
tation of this reasonable organization, which
aided, subsisted, clothed and sheltered them.
But for the vigilance and zeal of the Post
Commandment, his detectives and assistants,
Chicago would, in all probability, ere this,
have been a hearso of ashes, noistened by the
blood of its citizens All good people will
unite in awarding him the credit that is due
to his official fidelity and energy. III
GES. BRAGG TO BLAME FOR THE FALL OF Ply
MoUTH.-Plymcuthi is small place on Abe
marie Sound. To take it. from the Yankees
last spring we nearly lost Drufy's Bluff. It's
capture was one of the chief glories of Gen.
Bragg's reign. By the way, is not Gen. Bragg
now in command somewhere on the coast of
North Carolina ?-Rich,1ond Examiner, Noy g.
q Though it sounds little paradoxical,
the voice of the Pacific States is for war.