Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-08-19
A TEXAS ASSASSIN.
IlssJ Arrest In New York City-A Long
0pursuit-Exp erienoo Of u Detective.

From tho New York Times, 7tb.
Late on Thursday evening Deputy Mar
shall Crowley succeeded in nrrcsting IN OK
Mnjor of tho Confederate service, named
John ii. Pratt, who is charged with being
implicated in a riot ana murder in Jeffcr-
Texas, in October. 1863. Tho
arrest was made in Fourth street. near
Washington square, the prisoner having
just come out OF private residence NJ tho
time. lie was subsequently taken to Lud-
low Street Jail, and placed in confinement.
His capture was brought about by q United
State detective, who was specially detailed
to find tho whereabouts Of Pratt by Gen.
Reynolds, commanding in Texas, and it is
said TO have cost the government
$40, 600. Tho detective called on Mr..
A. II. Purdy, United States Assistant
District Attorney, on Saturday Inst
for the purpose of procuring q warrant for
Pratt lilo presented credentials from
General Kawlins, Secretary of War. and
stated to Mr.. Purdy that he had been Gil
gagged III long and lAborious search for
Pratt, and had finally tracked him to this
city. lie mentioned that tho prisoner was
accused of having bcen ono of the ring
leaders OF largo party of Texans who par-
ticipatcd in an attack OH the Jail at Jcttrr-
sonvillc, Texas. in which they killed Cap
tain George w. Smith and several negroes.
He said that Pratt and his party be.
longed to a secret southern organi-
cation known as the Knights of the
Rising Star, who were bitterly opposed
to Captain Smith because he had been
an officer in the Union army, but more
particularly because he was q radical can
didate for Office at that time. They had
the most extreme hatred for Captain Smith.
who frequently spoke III strong terms in
the course of his public addresses. They
first endeavored to assassinate him ut u
house in Jetfersonville, in which he had
taken refuge, together with negro friends,
hoping to escape tho pursuit of tho
Knights. The latter surrounded the house,
but, before they entered, he succeeded in
passing out OF q rear door and escaping on
his horse. During his flight he shot and
wounded four of his enemies, who stroye to
intercept him. He was subsequently ar
rested by tho military authorities on false
charges preferred against him by the Knights
of the Rising Star, but was given over
to tho civil authorities i'll Jacksonville,
who guaranteed that they would protect
him and secure him a fair trial. He was
then imprisoned in Jail in company with
his four negro friends. A military patrol
was placed in and around tho jail to keep
it from the sudden invasion of tho south
erncrs, who hGh made monacng threats
against the prisoner. Despite these pre-
cautions the Knights of the Rising Star pro-
ceeded to lay their plans for encOmpassing
the life of Captain Smith and the lives of
his four companions. They appointed n
certain night as the time to execute their
intentions. and the ringing of a bell was the
signal for them to assemble in front of the
JUL. About 500 mon answered tho sum-
mons. They made united attack on the
Jail, overpowering General Reynolds SOL
diers and compelling them to succumb to Sill
pcrior numbers. Tho rioters then CON-
menced to shoot the negroes, killing three
outright and wounding one whom they al
lowed to escape Attcrward they sought
Capt. Smiths cell, but being unable to
force an entrance they lighted number of
faggots, which were subsequently thrown
into his cell. This gave them light enough
by which to see Captain Smith, and they
Immediately riddled him with bullets.
About thirty of the brutal assassins were
caught shortly after the occurrence, and
are now awaiting trial by court-martial.
Search was made for Pratt, but for long
time no clue could be had as to his where
abouts. 1t was suggested by detective
that he might he found in this city, but the
suggestion was not acted upon
for some time. The detective was recently
sent on here, however, and began most
extensive search for the object Of his pur-
suit On Thursday last he had almost
despaired Of finding him, and was getting
ready to proceed to Canada on another
clay" At the time mentioned, however,
he suddenly came across Pratt in Nassau
street. The detective was not sure that it
was hottie description he had of him
having been obtained in Texas. To make
certain, he watched him very carefully,
and saw him stop before newspaper
office, when he (the detective) came
close to him and discovered that
he had the appearance of being
disguised. His beard was cut off, and his
hair looked as if it had been dyed. While
Pratt was reading the bulletin, he took off
his hat, displaying a bald head, which was
means Of Identification to the detective.
Previous to being arrested Pratt called on
gentleman named Adams, at the Astor
House, and had conversation with him
about the manufacture of lion. The gen.
tleman was subsequently greatly surprised
to learn from the detective that he had re-
celved call from an alleged murderer
Pratt was brought before Commissioner Os-
born yesterday, and his examination fixed
for Monday. In the meantime he will he
held in Ludlow-street Jail.