Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-10-12
The Last Hours OF New Orleans Martyr
"A Tale of Rebel Barbarity.


I eonclusively as to his unstained character as
Christian and patriot, his freedom from
I personal ambition, and the want0nness OF
his murder. Mr.. Horton received five balls
In his body, and fell These balls were fired
: by policemen Not satisfied with their work
they seizcd him, battered his head with their
billies, stabbed him, kicked and dragged him
over the pavcments to the first station, the
the mob following behind. crushing, beating
and trampling him with their shoes. Thrust
ing him in = ell. he was lett mancled and
senseless,
lie was flung into a cart after lying while
at the station house, and under sitting
load Of dead and wounded negroes, his
stomach crushed in by a blow Of a heavy
plank, he was taken TO the Marine Hospital.
His wife, after waiting anxiouslY for him
all tie day and night. started as soon as it
was morning IN search oi HIM.
Information had been received through the
city Tapers that Gen. Baird, tie military
cOmmandant, had released all who had been
arrested and confined by the police, giving
the name of her husband amgug tic rest and
stating that he had returned home. Acting
On this representation she went alone to Car
rOlt0n. but only to return by the next train.
lie was not there Without waiting for
breakfast she set of Tor Gen. BaiId's head
quarters a young Methodist clergyman.
Mr.. Henry, one Of Mrs. E. boarders, insist
ing on being her company.
No sooner did Gen. Baird zee Mr- Horton
and know who she was than be expressed
much surprise that her husband had not
been seen. and told her he had ordered his
release Perhaps she would find him at the
I City Hall. To this place she Immediately
went, but she searched in vain. He had not
been there She then hurried TO the First
Police Station, determined 10 wiring from
the brutal officers a confession Of what they
had done with her husband. Entering the
Office she forced her way within the rails, and
a-kcd Of the clerk what Lad been done with
her husband. The man declared ti.at
preacher Horton had been sent by him to
Charity Hospital, and she at once hurried
thither Again she was disappointed. lie
lad not been seen thUe (lhe truth was
the cart which carried Mr.. Horizons body
had stopped there, and been sent away. as
1t appeared to be occupied only by blacks.)
The horrible idea now suggested itself 70 the
ltilic,od woman that her husband had been
conveyed away with load Of dead bodies,
and had been buried alive. but, a. a last re-
sort, che determined TO visit the Marine Hos
ptal. This was in a low and distant part
u the city, and devoted entirely 70 negroes,
and she could not have believed he would be
carried there by his worst enemies. but at 4
friends suggestion she sought the place, still
accompanied by Mr. Henry.
Arrived at the gate she was refused en-
t trance, but catchiDga glimpse Of DR.. Harris
the head surgeon, whom she knew, she call
Cd 20 him and asked if her husband was
+ ,L,tc. DR.. Harris could gave no positive
assurance. but Immediately ordered the ser
want to admit her Forgetting her weari-
ness an her Joy that her long quest had at
. last succce1ed, the faithful woman l5urded
up the steps, and without waiting 70 he d.
r,c,cd rushed in amcrg tie patients, found
out her husband, and sunk exhausted upon
bis bosom. What spectacle The form
I she loved a bruised ana helpless mass u flesh
and blood, his head swollen u the size Of
two, lis left arm useless, and bis right shat
tered and manglcd. lie moved perpc.ually
about with the restless, nervous gestures OF
q dreaming infant s. badly tramplci aud
beaten was his head and iace that his eyes
were blinded. and painful rotching, IrodGc-
al hy the injuries 10 lIs stomach, Oh tyuctod
bis breath and speech Bat through sll tho
anguish and darkutss q his wreck lc knew
his wife That she sbouli have recognized
him is q miracle TO all who 90 not uudcT-
stand the Inspired saS-c.Jy Of wi.cs aifec-
tiJn.
"Wipe my face, Emma, 90 Lc slsrcl, as il
-Lc Dad l-cn bending over lim ever since be
i,I.
Worn and broken hearted the p0or woman
sat down hy her husband side and tried 10
strengthen hcTstll for the task OF soothing
and cmiortiBg lis les, hours, for she knew
too Ucl that he could not live. Nineteen
long L0ul- Sic had searched for hil, and now
70 find him thus
Few comforts were 90 be found in that
hospital. though the ATTENDANTS secing her
distress, evidently meant 10 treat Ler kindly.
IN TO this time the wounded man had lain
In tie warton's room, but on the next morn
Ing which was v ,duesday be was removed
70 a more airy aTaruacnt. The operation Of
lrcpannng was chen performed on bis head
though with little hope OF permanent benefit.
When this was over, and tic burden upon
the brain was thus relieved, the sufferer
looked up ani repeated,
When 1 can read my title clear
To mansions IN the skies,
I'll bid farewell &c every fear
And wipe my weeping eyes"
should earth against my soul engage -
Here veakuess prevented him. and be
whispered to his wife, '' Ju finish 10
lie slept a coed dcpl, but scented always
conscious Of his wilc's presence, frequently
putting Up his restless hand % touch her
lace, and remind hini-cll In his blindness,
OF Ter loved features. When lie talked 1t
was Of HE unfinished work, his convictions
] O. a a - l..f f.li
lis anxieties for his wife left alone in a cruel
world, and Of his enemies and murderers, al
ways i0rgiviugiy, az If they knew not what
they did ~ different times, too, he spoke
Of the rios, relating facts and incidents as
have set them down.
1t afflicted him much TO leave bis wife
penniloss He bad lad a little money IN has
: pocket when he came 20 the Convention, but
that, with the gold studs in his bosom, had
been Numbered by some Of the rulians who
took Iart in mutiiaiing his person.
Thus he fingered until the sixth day after
r his injury When the morning Of Sunday,
the 9Th OF August, came, he remembered
that he had an appointment to exchange
pulpits with colored brother in the city
and said
- Emma. we mus. send word to Bro
a ]
well enough to preach.
, As time went on his mind began TO w D.
der, and he laucisd himself IN his own pul
t pit. lie invoked the Divine blessing. b,
j. gave out a hymn and sung, wounded anC
suffering as he was-his wife, who Wept al
> she thought Of the melody Of lis once fn'
+ voice, joining him at his request. half ehok
ed BY her teas. Then he prayed with her
sung again and preached, taking for hi
text. - Out Of the abundance Of the hear
Il the mouth speaketh." After these exer
d cises he expressed his wish to close with thl
/ Lords Supper, and Immediately began tn,
beautiful ceremony His wife. anxious t,
" crafty him, skillully aided with sucl
IS meagre cOnyeniences as were at hand. to cal
h ry out his touching fancy. He paTtook will
her what seemed to bin the symbolic brea,
, and wine. 0We both drink from the cam
n cup, Emma, said lie. Another hymn, q
Ig benedietion, and the sufferer began to grow
n weak, as il indeed lie work was done.
- | am going now, Emma" he whisper