Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-01-30
The Way OF the Transgrenors.

New ORLEANS, Jan. 26.-The disap-
pcarance of the members of the return
ing board. after the issue OF the order fer
their arrest ON Friday by Judge Whit
taker, of the Supreme Court. led to the
suspicion that they were concealed in
the custom-house. Sheriff Houston on
Saturday proceeded to the main door
OF the collectors office IN the custom
house, and informed the marshal and
deputy collector that he had writ 10
execute against J. Madison Wells and
others, whom he had good reason to be-
lieve were confined in that Office, and he
desired admittance. This was refused,
and the chief deputy marshal was sum-
mOned aud he ordered the sheriff, his
posse aud the crowd to dispense.
The sheriff refused to leave, stating
he was determinedto execute the writ oil
the court at any hazard, or be arrested
in the attempt. Sheriff Houston then
slightly ayancing. Deputy Marshal
Wurzburger laid hands upon him and
claimed him and his deputies as pr SON.
ers. The sheriff and party submitted to
arrest, and were taken before Judge
Billings, sitting in the United States
Circuit Court, but the latter said he had
nothing to do with the matter, as the
parties had not been arrested by virtue
Of any process from his court. Mr..
Wurzburger then took his prisoners be-
fore United States Commissioner Lane
Mr.. TomlinsOn. the collectors cores
pOndng secretary, then made an atilda-
VT against Sheriff Houston for resist
ing a custom house officer, and sent Tor
the commander of the revenue cutter
and a detachment of marines, ordering
them to be stationed at his door, through
which passage has to be effected 10
reach the collectors Office. Gen. Shell
don and Mr.. Dolorvin, appearing be-
fore Commissioner Lane and denying
the jurisdiction OF his court. asked Tor
Sheriff Houst0n's release. Mr.. Gurley,
assistant district attorney, asked lor
continuance until Monday. Commits
sioncr Lane refused to grant the con-
tlnuadce and released Sheriff Houston OF
his own lecOgniZance. The latter I'M
mediately dispatched a subordinate TO
bring an armed force to effect an en-
trance to the custom house.
The entrace to the collectors ONCE
was patroled by armed marines from
the revenue cutter John A. Dix. They
were there as United States marshal's
force, aud under command OF Gen.
Wharton. Gen. Sheldon thinks Depu-
ty Marshal Wurzburger is liable under
State law for obstructing State peace
officer III the legitimate discharge oil his
duty.
The following has been telegraph
ed:
TO Hon. Chas. Devens, Attorney
General. Washington, d. c.: -Four per-
sons. ]. Madison Wells. Thomas {. An |
derson. G.. Casenave and l.. NJ. henner,
who are uuder an information Tor felony
under the laws of the State, have ior-
feitcd their recognizance, and have,
am informed. taken shelter in the Gus
tom-house of this city. Writs Tor Their
arrest are in the hands of the sheriff, and
he went with the writs 70 arrest them' |
Understanding they were shut up IN a
room Of the building, he was about TO
force an entrance for the purpose OF ar
resting them, when he was himself ar
rested. as am Uniformed, upon an am
davit that he threatened to open the
door by force. am nOta aware OF any
cession of exclusive jurisdistion on this
building, nor ofany laws that would
give immunity to offenders against the
State laws within its walls. Please ~
form me whether the general govern
ment, has authorized or will sustain this
conduct. ii. y. OGDEN,
Attorney General Of Lou siana."
Atabout 10 O'Clock last night Mar
shall Wharton received a dispatch from
the Attorney General instructins him
not to interfere with the execution oil
the writs of State courts. Sheriff HouS-
ton was notified, and ioknd Anderson
Render and Casenave in the collectors
office. from whence they will remain un-
i'll they furnish new bonds in the sum oil
50. GOO each. Wells was not in the Gus
tom-hOnse, but was seen on moving
train of the Mobile road. 1t is believed
he is still in the State, and will surren-
der Monday and furnish bonds at once.
When the sheriff arrested the three
returning board officers he informed
them that to spare them the contumely
of being taken on foot through the
streets he would convey them to prison
in carriage. which offer was accepted.
Mr.. Anderson seemed much excited for
moment. but then invited the whole
party 10 take a drink, saying. This is
the anniversary of the day on which we
declared the vote of Louisiana. The
sheriff then asked where Wells was,
saving he had capias for him also.
Wells son answered that the sheriff
had made several Intellectual attempts to
arrest his father by breaking INTO houses
Tor the purpose. and that he would not
succeed any better now that Mr.. Wells
was not in the custom house. Dir.
Anderson corrObcrated this, but said
thai Governor Wells would be IN the
Superior Criminal Court on Monday
morning. For the present he was not
in the city, or even IN reach of telegraph.
Tire inference Is that he is on board the
United States revenue cutter John A.
Dix.
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