The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-01-31

1 -
woods. Thus it will be seen that three
engines and a hand car we're used consec-
utively in this wild and headlong chase
after the raiders.
AS an evidence of the tremendous
speed made in this run, it is said that
the down passenger train which was reN
versed went hfty,two miles in sixty one
minutes, pushing train ahead OF 1t for
several miles stopping frequently to re-
move distractions.
HUNTED BY BLooDHoUNDS.
OF course the Yankees who leaped
from the stolen engine had very little
chance of escape. They were surround
ed on every side by enemies, Within a
few hundred yards Of where they left
their engine two regiments OF cavalry
were encamped. 1t was muster day at
Ringgold, two miles away and hundreds
of farmers armed and mounted, were
collected there. The road was lined with
soldiers. The alarm had been sent to
Chattanooga by telegraph, and trains
loaded with troops and scouts were hur'
rying TO the scene. The day was dark,
cloudy, and rainy. The raiders were un'
acquainted with the country, and with the
stars and sun hidden, did not know the
south from the north. They plunged into
the woods, however, and struck out for
the Tennessee river. In an hour the
whole county was alive with scouts and
hunters. There was not by path or
cross road that was not thoroughly eXplor'
ed. To add to the terrors of the situation,
well-trained hounds were put upon the
track of the fugitives, and trailed them
down with unerring certainty. The hunt,
though an exciting, was not a long one.
In twentysfour hours from the time they
left the engine every member of the band
was captured. They were in pitiable
plight when taken. They were drenched
to the skln-covered with dirt and filth
in the last stages of exhaustion, and all
most starved. The story of their adven>
lures in the Georgia forest that nights
wild and thrilling one, 1t was night of
horror. i
AT first the prisoners denied any com
plicity with the train wrecking, They
claimed to be citizens of Kentucky, dis
gusted with Lincoln, and trying to join
the Confederate army. Being confront
ed with citizens of Kentucky, however,
they were not able to carry out this fc.
ton, and they then told straight story
claiming that they were soldiers of the
United States army, detailed for special
service, and entitled to be held as prisons
ers Of war. The Confederate authorities
charged them with being spies, and or
dered them to be tried by court martial.
They, were given able counsel, Judge
Baxter Of Tennessee being in charge of
their case. Before the trial opened, Ans
drews, the leader, who was never put up
on the same footing with the others, was
carried before court martial and cons
demned to be hung as spy. The wits
nesses against him were the men from
whom he had stolen the train though his |
own admissions were held to be sufficient |
to convict him. A scafold was prepared |
for him at Chattanooga, but the near ap> |
proach of the Federal troops caused his |
removal to Atlanta. Just before his death |
he made daring attempt to escape, and |
succeeded in making his way nearly
through the lines. He was finally dis.
covered, naked, and nearly starved, in a
tree, by some little children who were
playing in the woods. They reported his
and he was speedily surround,
ed and captured, He was then hanged
almost Immediately. His scafold was
erected short distance outside of Allan
ia, about the centre of what is now cot.
ton field. He died very bravely, protest.
ing against the manner of his death, and
claiming that he was executed in viola
ton Of law. He was magnificent specs
linen of manhood, and was engaged to
be married to beautiful young Kentucky
girl within few days of the date Of his
hanging. There were no unusual circum.
stances attending his execution. He
died quickly, and apparently without
much suffering.
SEVEN MEN HANGED ON ONE SCAFFoLD.
When the trial of the rest OF the band
had begun, it was discovered that the
court martial had determined to make a
between the men who had been
promised share of the SOC, 1000, to be
given at the close OF the expedition, and
those who were simply detailed for SER
vice without knowing the precise nature
Of the expedition. The prisoners relied
upon the fact that the whole twenty men
were detached for this service from the
same brigade, and that their raid was
hence a military expedition, and not the
work Of spies. They defended their hav-
ing adopted citizens dress by citing in
stances where Morgan's raiders having
been captured in squadrons in civilians
were treated by the Federals as
prisoners ofwar. The trial was lengthy,
tedious one, and the decision was reserv~
ed for some days.
One day the men were in their prison
playing checkers upon the floor and sing.
ing quite merrily, when some one called
to the fact that large body of
horsemen had halted in front of the all
door, 1t was noticed that an immense
mass Of people was collected in the streets
near the prison. The door was thrown
open and an officer standing in the door.
way called for William Campbell of
Kentucky, Geo. D. Wilson, Marion A.
Ross, Perry G. Shadrack, Samuel Slavs
ems, Samuel Robinson, and John Scott
Of Ohio. The men arose as they were
called, except Robinson, who was very
i'll with fever and had to be raised to
his feet and supported while he stood.
The officer commanded the men to follow
him, and they left the room with him.
The prisoners who were left were in a
deplorable state of uncertainty. They
did not know whether their comrades had
been carried out for exchange or parole
or death. No intimation Of the decis-
ion Of the court had been given. At
length they returned, headed by George
Wilson, who, with face as pale as death,
said; Boys, we are to be hung immedi.
ately"