The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-02
Soaring n nenuty sheriff.

The syracuse StUnlUrI TEtateS SLoi VI
the bad scare which Deputy Sheriff OF that
city received. II calls him, for short, Ed,
and says he is good fellow. and where the
business is OF q purely civil and pcaceable
nature first-rate officer, but his reputation
in respect OF personal bravery is not all
that it might be. Eds failing in this respect
is we'll known to his fellow-deputies, and on
Wednesday, being all assembled at the
courthouse, ready to 90 where duty called,
they resolved to have little fun at his cX-
pense. Ed. put in appearance about 10
A. NJ, and was at once informed with great
seriousness that bands OF rough-looking
characters had just passed the courthouse,
and from their actions evidently had inten-
tions hostile TO that institution. Among
other things, one OF them had stepped in
side OF the railing and counted the number
OF deputies assembled on the steps. The
whole party joined. in discussing the affair,
and in five minutes Ed. was more than duly
impressed with the gravity of the situation.
When the boys began to overhaul their pis-
tolls and clubs his cOuntenancc was study.
In short time, the enemy not appearing,
one of the party remarked he guessed he
would 60 down to the armory to see what
was doing there. Shortly after his return
to the courthouse there was brought, by
young man all out of breath, telegram,
which read about as follows:
L" TO John j. lMeldram, Sheriff Of Onondaga
county, or his Janitor, Courthouse,
Syracuse:
"You are hereby notified to release all
prisoners in your charge by II o'clock to-
night. Ii you do not your own life and
the lives OF your deputies will answer Tor
it. Don't neglect this warning from an
OLD FRIEND."
On receipt Of this dispatch all was com
motion at the courthouse. The high
sheriff himself had gone off for little re-
creation in the woods before striking began
but the under-sheritf was on hand, and at
once began to post his men for the momenta-
rily expected assault. Presently Ed. spoke
up: "Say, boys, hadn't we better send
down to the armory for some help; what
can five or six OF us 10 against whole
crowd:" TO which the under-sherif re-
piled that lie would do the best he could
with the force at hand; il they got worsted,
then he would send for aid. Ed. and an
other deputy were now stationed in front
of the building, on the outside, while two
more were posted at the door on Clinton
street. The rest OF the party remained in
side. In few moments there arose tre-
mendous commotion at the Clinton-street
door. Eds companion ran to the corner.
whence he could see the side-door, and as
soon as he had looked he called out, "By
Heaven, Ed, they've stove in the whole
side-door. It's no use staying here any
longer; let's leave" With this he took to
his heels; but, though be is much young
er and lighter man, he was no match Tor
our friend Ed, who passed him like shot
out of gun. Eds companion, whom, for
convenience sake, we will call George,
Stacked up as soon as Ed. had passed him
but the latter kept all steam on until he
came into collision with an iron railing,
when he gave the finest exhibition OF
ground and lofty tumbling ever witnessed
in Syracuse. After he got "straightened
out" little, no danger being apparent,
George persuaded him to return to the
courthouse. Here he was informedthat the
force at the side-door had dispersed their
assailants after desperate fight; but that
the ruftians were expected back in greater
force in few minutes. Ed. was
now dispatched to the armory Tor assist
ance, and perhaps it is not necessary to say
that in spite OF his bruises he made good
time. Showing his shield and his sealed
message he was at once admitted by the
sentry, and in few minutes he stood hat
in hand before General Wood. Seeing the
deputy sheriff come in at such a. rate, that
officer naturally expected an important COM
municaton. Tearing open the envelope, he
read as follows: -..f.
"Io Major General D. Z. Wood: .
"PIease give the bearer drink to keep
up courage; he needs it badly