The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-02-25

misplaced confidence In Jim Stout,s reso-
buttons, which said one thing and mean
quite another and the others because i
vas made evident 20 them that cup north
property in man was anything but respect
ed And the people Of Jonesboro who hac
been edited by tie unhappy sheriif's nc
coun! Of Ottawa peorie as bowling mol
from whom he barely escaped with bis
life, after they had rescued MS prisoner
held an indignation meeting an2 adopted
the following desperately fierce resolution
Res0i0cd, That negroes escaping from
their masters, hereafter, at all hazards,
shall be reclaimed forthwith, and that We
will meet the crisis, legally aud peacefully,
If We can, ana hereafter prevent II Ia our
power, such ou'rages as that at Ottawa
Here was almost a declaration of war,
and it would have been one, complete, had
ii not been for the kindly sprinkling among
its brlstllng sentences of so many sweet
and gentle 49, Our Ottawa folks were
not to be Outdone In resolutions, peaceiGi
or warike, ana SO they called a rousing big
meeting and resolved that they didn't res.
cue jim, or If they did, they didn't go to
do il, o. If II was done, ii was done by a
pestiierous set of aboltionists, for whom
nobody was responsible, and that they
wouldn't do it again!
THE REsCuERs IN JAIL.
To the public in general the whole affair
had been sort of nine days wonder, a
thing TO talk about and laugh over; but
with the active friends Of the bailled sheriff
II was looked upon as serious matter-an
open defiance of the laws of the United
States, and species of open rebellion
With the abOlitionists Ii was a subject Of
applause and eXultation. They had rescued
u human being from the ignominious bonds
of slavery. But the chief actors in the
sCcne-Dr. Stout and Mr.. HOssack-were
men of too much good sense TO view their
performance in the light of mere misde
meanor which could be amply atoned for
by slight peCuniary fines. They were sure
of the retribution which follows violated
law, and patiently and anXiously awaited
their doom. Early in December, 1859 in
dictments were found by the U. s. Circuit
Court, grand jury at Chicago, against Jos.
Stout, James Stout, Charles G. Campbell,
John Hossack, s. p. Smith, G. B. King, II.
p. King and T.. w. Cham berlain, and on
Saturday, Dec. 30,the U. 8. Marshal came to
Ottawa for their arrest. In the cases of the
gentlemen named, the facts presented be-
fore the grand jury, in the U. .. Prescott
ing Attorneys hands, Mr.. Fitch, were
stronger against DR.. Stout, Jas. Stout and
John Uossack than the others, and by his
the officer was instructed to Sc
cure them first and at all hazards. The
Mr. Hosmer, finding these men all
here and further, that they knew of the in
dictments and had previously. much to his
surprise, declared their perfect willingness
to be arrested, and that they were citizens
of responsibility, he concluded to treat
them courteously, and accordingly called
upon them and told them politely of his
unpleasant duty, and requested them to
come to Chicago on the following Monday,
If convenient Accordingly, at the time
DIR. Stout, Mr.. Hossack and Jas.
Stout appeared at the depot at train time,
In the afternoon. The event had gotten
wind somehow, and big crowd met 1T the
depot TO see them off, b. c, Cook, Esq.
made speech in which he advised
peaceful submission to the law Rev. Mr..
Bassett followed, but his voice was more
for war, Bronson Murray followed with
Mr.. Cooks idea of peace. The men board.
ed the train and it moved off, amidst hearty
cheers for 1.-The victims of tyranny"
The victims aforesaid arrived at Chicago
In due time, and spent most of their New
Years, A, d. 1860, In the bastile. Mr. Hos
sack wrote next morning to friends here:
"This is our first day in prison. Found
ourselves little refreshed as we arose from
our beds of straw this morning. The cot.
fee was in tin cups-couldn't drink it. They
gave us also three pieces of bread. There
was no table, SO we placed our breakfast on
a chair. At noon we had good dinner; it
was sent In by friends 1t was chicken
tlxens,' What a free country this is! Hail
Columbia, happy land?"
A few days after the three prisoners
joined In letter to "The citizens of Otta-
wa" In which they took very cheerful
view of the situation. They were happy,
hopeful and resolute," and thanked their
friends here and in Chicago and the jailor
and sheriff of Cook county for courtesies.
SYMPATHETIC FRIENDS IN OTTAWA.
These gentlemen were martyrs to the
cause of freedom, and their Ottawa friends
were active and energetic in their sympa-
thy. They called meeting on the night
of the departure Of the prisoners, and re-
solved and organized for their defense at
the forthcoming trial, raised funds and sent