The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-01
How Kirk Refused 10 Allow Writs OF
Habeas Corpus to be Served upon
BFs~r, .....'A

From the Danv1lie Times.
On Tuesday last Colonel George William.
son, citizen Of CasweU., in company with
Mr.. Z. NJ. Pacn, Of DanviIle, left Danville,
having nineteen Wrlts of habeds corpus from
the Supreme; Court of North Carolina to
serve on Coaonea Kirk. Having remained
thaI nignt aa Colonel Williamson's, they
MADE their appearance at YanceyYille the
next morning about o'clock. They asked
PERM sson to see Colonel Kirk. The adj
Jutant e9me out, inquiring their business
anu an ssmes. Colonel Williamson replied,
ne 'tesired to see Colonel Kirk to deliver
so' ne documents. The adjutant having seen
t,olonel Kirk, informed them that he could
not be seen in less than half m hour. They
then went over to Norfeet's store, remained
short time, and went back. The adiutsnt
l told them If they had documents for the
Colonel, to seal them, and he would deliver
them himself. Colonel Williamson replied,
| the documents were OF such IA nature as
to require him to see Colonel Kirk person.
ally. The adjutant then went to Kinks
room, and remaining an hour Colonel viii
llamson and Ar. Pace left. In the NEAR
tune they visited the camp of the United
States soldiers. When they returned ON the
street Colonel Williamson went to the
courthouse gate, when the Major came out.
Colonel Williamson asked bi3b now long it
would be before he could get hearing be-
fore Colonel Kirk. The Major went in,
and on his return demanded to know their
business. Colonel Williamson replied that
he had wi1ts of ha5 eas corpus to serve on
him. The Major, a.fter seeing Kirk, return
ed with the reply from him that he wished
10 nave no comnunication or conversation
Wlth mldmgb.G assassins. Colonel Will
hanson replied that they were not mid
nlght as AS sins, that he was peaceable,
laW-aDr fling citizen of the county. The
MAJOR turned his back, and they went
across to Nortleet's store. During that time
tne drums beat and the soldiers COM
Ii 1le' iced getting under arms. Messrs. Will
ila nAson and Pace moved to large tree
II .onting the courthouse. Colonel Kirk
made his appearance at the window, stand
I ing by one of the prisoners. AS soon us he
saw him, Colonel Williamson started across
the street with writs in his hand. Kirk
drew back. Colonel Williamson then re-
turned to the tree, whereupon n company
OF soldiers marched out of the gate towards
them, came halfway, halted, about faced,
and returned. Kirk then appeared on the
lower porch. Immediately six men and a
non-commissioned officer armed, under
charge of the Major, advanced on
Getting within five PAGES, they halted
and remarked, This caucusing must
be broken up. If you have homes 90
to them; if you do not l am ordered by
Colonel Kirk to fire into you" Mr.. Pace
repled,, "H caucusing is what you want
to break up we will separate.' Colonel
williamson remarked that he was there
upon q peaceful mission, armed as he was
WITH authority from the Chief Justice of
15be State, and that he did not intend to
'eaye. The Major replied, MY orders are
positive and you must leave"
Seeing there was no possible chance to
serve the writs without being shot, Colonel
Williamson and MIR. Pace left and they de-
serve great credit for the faithful manner
in which they discharged their whole duty.