Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-09-07

with me. had feet little mare, but she was in
foal. At gully, or creek, my mare fell in max
ing the Jump, and hurt herself, so that | had to
dismount and trust to my legs. They overlook
me, and Floyd Evans came up first. tried to
reason with him, and said: "Floyd, what do you
meant" lie made no answer, and came to nae,
throwing rocks. | then gathered up a few and
sent them back at him, and by this time i'm Read
and some others had me surrounded. A furious
battle ensued with rocks. struck Floyd Evans
with one in the stomach, and he doubled up and
got out of the fight, Read, who was large man,
and who would weigh fully two hundred pounds
closed on me. | suppose ne was acting as consta.
BILE. When he got within few feet of me,
clinched him, and had my pocket knife out and
opened. We had scuffle, and 1 kept cutting
him all the time, until he fell, and l stabbed him
once or twice. | then turned my attention to
HuddleSon, and chased him down a hill to fence
which he eaped, and got atay from me.
The Evans boys came running down the hill af-
ter me, followed by the gang, stood, and Floyd
Evans and | came together. l had my knife In
my hand, but it got twisted some way, and split
my thbmb clean open. Wehad desperate strug
gle for the top, and finally got my knife in play,
and commenced sticking him until | threw him
and he fell with me astraddle OF him. drew him
up by the collar. and had my arm raised to plunge
the knife in his bosom, when he looked piteousiy
in my face. spared his life, and threw him away
from me. The others closed on me, and had a
run for dear life. Jumped several fences in cross
ing fields, anu left them far behind me- / never
knew how fas: could run until that time, but a
man can make a big race when his life is the stake
ran into n house aud got up stairs. | found a
heavy old fashioned bed wrench, and stood wait.
ing for the next attack. They soon came to. the
house and cried out, 'tWhere is herr at the same
time searching for me. / shouted to them, 81 am
here, and dare any of you to come for me-" A
a ahouf f,o aka n Loo
in ascending the stairs to take me. After great
deal deal OF clustering and cursing every one o
them back ed out. BY this time all the women from
the camp ground were in and around the house
screaming and crying, some of Lem fearing they
would kill me, and others afraid that | would kill
some of their relatives. Matters stood this way
for SOME time, until the Sheriff arrived, and was
called upon to surrender. refused, unless they
could give me some assur ance that my lieIwould
be protected against the mob. After about two
hours threatening, Jim Wright wanted me tc
throw down my knife. but refused until a sacred
promise was made that should have a fair trial
| then came down and gave myself up, after which
they tied me hand and foot aud carried me to Jail
Alexander Evans tried hard to shoot me while
was on the way to the Jail. He fired at me i'm the
house. As to the statements published that Reu-
ben Wood interposcd to save my life from the
mob, il is false. Reuben Wood was not there al
all. Shortly aftcrward | was let out on bail, anC
when the war broke out was induced TO join tn,
army, on the promise that all prosecution in the
case would be abandoned. This is how came t
take up arms.
FERGUSON STRONG UNION MAN.
was always a Democrat, and at the commence
ment OF the war was strong Union man, ant
voted the Union ticket against recession in th
! elections of 1861, l further electoneered AM
worked for its success, and fought against seces
/ sion.
\ FEEGUsoN's sUFERToR OFFICERS.
always acted under orders from John Morga
up to the time he made the raid into Ohio. | wa
with him in most all the raids in Kentucky an
/ Tennessee. When he made the Ohio raid he tool
forty of my men, and was left with only sma
force. Colonel Hughes was with me in most @
my expeditions. but we generally gathered all tn
scouts and went together. Hughes, however
sometimes went on his own hook.
HIS SURRENDER AND ARREST.
When | sure rendered, never dreamed of bein
arrested. / did suppose, ho.wsver, that they woul
make me take all tue natls IN existence, but tina
/ was willing to do. and live up TO them. Why,
could have kept Out OF their hands for ten years
aud never left Clinton county, and might hav
easily left as Hughes did, had | been disposed t
do so. But have set forth all the facts concern
ing my surrender in the two afdavits or leas, al
ed at the beginning Of the trial. As an evidenc
Of this, Hughes returned to his home quite tim
before did, AMI left without any trouble for part
unknown, and who doubts but That / could hav
done the same thingl