New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-21

VOLUNTEER DETECTIVES EXPERIENCE


OF Mr. D1GOy'S kidnapped cnllO anu It's DIV
ductors. At that date the excitement was
quite intense, and even the slightest clue
was grasped with avidity. The gentleman
who gave the items had seen the women
and the baby near Simmsport not far from
the mouth of Red river, and somehow
ascertained that they had passed through
Avoyelles parish into Rapides parish, and
were secreted on the lower Compton plan
tatiOn.
On the solicitation Of our police authori-
ties gentleman of this city consented to
play detective for the time, earnestly hoping
to cover himself with glory in recovering
the infant and arresting the kidnappers.
Governor Warmoth furnished general
warrant, and on the third our friend quietly
left on his mission, going by the way Of
Washington, parish of ST. Landry. Arrived
there, he was fortified by confirmatory re-
ports, when he pushed on to the little village
Of Cheneyville, Rapides parish. There he
made his business known to Judge Callahan,
but obtained no further inkling concerning
the important subject which so greatly in
terested him. Learning the exact location
of the Compton plantation, he entered the
quarters, accompanied by lady and a gen
tleman. The only person in sight was a
young cotton picker, about eleven years old,
feminine gender. BefJfe either of the Wis
itors had uttered syllable, the girl, as if
talking at the party, said, Where is that
little white girlw One of the gentlemen
asked her what she knew about any white
child, when she stated that two women had
left with it that morning. She also said
that they expected some one after them,
and in an innocent manner asked the lady if
she was its mother. She further stated that
the women, with the child had been there
several times.
Of course this intelligence gave our friend
new incentive to pursue his labors, and
he imagined how happy he would make the
bereaved parents in few days. He was
greatly elated, and entertaining a fond
hope of immediate success whipped his lazy
team into a trot, to reach the upper planta-
ton, indicated as the hiding place of the
women. Mr.. Toche Compton and Major
Mason were there, and they were not slow
in perfecting plans whereby the persons
might be overtaken. Cash rewards were
freely offered to the confidential servants to
ferret out the pursued women, and several
set out in different directions.
Mr.. Compton and several of his friends
visited the lower place to make inquiries,
but they were met with fat denials, even
the girl at first denying all she had stated
previously. but subsequently acknowledged
that the lady had given her some money
and promised her new dress. Otherwise
her mouth was sealed.
Here was serious halt and complete
loss of the trail, for the time. This was
Monday night. the eighth instant To find
the direction taken by the parties was first
thought of, and several gentlemen rode the
entire night, diving into highways and by
ways, all to no purpose. Tuesday morning
the subject had circulated, when planters
and residents, old and young, flocked in
from all points, proffering their services to
search, and literally offering money to field
hands. Before night that whole section of
country was aroused into action. Such citi-
zens as the Messrs. Comptons, DR.. and Joseph
Fl. Meeker. Archie Williams, Colonel Pick
ems, Drs. Clarke and Kader, Messrs Holland,
Mason. Murphy, l.. Tanner. SMELL |
ing Gordon, jackson Wcams, and many |
others whose names we regret, have escaped |
our memory, were foremost and tireleSs in |
pursuit, riding all night and most of the |
day. 1t was indeed refreshing to find so !
much humanity and sympathy, and they |
were all cOgnizant of the fact that Mr.. |
Digby's infant had been stolen. One idea |
pervaded the community, and that was to |
arrest the perpetrators of a horrible crime. |
Odds and ends of information were gath |
,red i'll numerous places. The women had |
been seen at various points, and the child |
because it was white and closely |
,Overo in almost every instance. During the |
lay they were apparently secreted, and at |
hight were cared for by field hands in the |
quarters. Still the proof was not explicit |
Is wished, and if all the stories had been
accepted the refugees must have possessed |
he uncommon power of existing in two
places at one time. Plantations and out of |
he way places were thoroughly searched,
gentlemen riding both night and day until |
Friday the twelfth, when a traveller arrived
It Lloyd Bridge, reported that he had seen
he parties on the road 10 Alexandria, driv-
ng in an old vehicle. Half dozen riders
posted off and soon overlook them. Before
hey returned, a New Orleans paper arrived,
giving details Of how Mr.. Digby's babe
lad been recovered This dampened the
lrdOr a trihe, yet most of the
The women answered the printed descrip-
ion closely, but the child was too old and
mike the one sought. When questioned,
hey asserted that the girl was theirs, al
hough the statement must have been false.
As our friend was satisfied that the city pa
yer reported the truth, he, of course, had
lothing to say to the women, and thence
orth thought only of returning to New Or
cans. He wishes to express his sncerest
hanks to those who SO freely assisted him
While he and they supposed they were per-
orlnIng such excellent service in the cause
# humanity. The citizens of Rapides not
My labor zealOusly for themselves in cane
otton and corn fields, but possess hearts
verflowing with sympathy for the woes of
thers.
We wish them an abundant harvest, and
appearances indicate that their efforts in
illing the soil will result in happy returns.
Inc cane, cotton and corn fields promise
more than an average yield A few cotton
elds along the BGuf show sufficient to in
luce picking, while the corn is ready to
arner. Cane promises better than any
ear since the war.
II our friends efforts to find the kid
apped infant were frutless he has the
onsoiation Of knowing that he used his
est endeayors, without hating for friend
T foe and was tireless even after assured
hat the parents were made happy in re-
aiming possession of their darling.
There was a time when caution was used
/ buying shares of stock in the Louisiana
tate Lottery Company, but now that they
re nearly UP to par, and yet only small