The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
THOMAS GORSUCH'S DEATH.
He Participated In the Bloody Fugitive slave
Riot Mt Christinnn. Pa.

LANCASTER. Pa, Aug. Thomas Gorsuch.
the Baltimorean who died on the American
liner ST. Paul while returning from Europe last
week, was the son Of Col. Edward GorsuCh OF
Baltimore. Although but a lad of Is. he was
present when his father was killed in what was
known as the Christiana fugitive slave riot in
this county in 1851, Col. Gorsuch having come
to that place at night with IA United States
Marshal and posse to recapture an alleged run.
away slave OF his. This riot led to the historic
Hanway high treason trial, that caused such ex
element throughout the country forty-fvc
years ago.
In those days fugitive slaves were constantly
seeking refuge in southern Lancaster county,
which borders on Maryland, for the numerous
Quakers who lived in that locality were un-
compromising Abolitionists. and never h~esitatcd
to ha-bor runaway negroes and help them on
their way toward Canada, even after the passage
Of the Fugitive, Slave law made such action a
crime against the Federal Government. Promi-
nent among these willing friends OF fug tive
slaves was Casper Hanway who lived near Chris
tiann. In tho summer Of 1851 a valuable negro
belonging to Col. Gorsuch disappeared. He was
traced to the neighborhood of Christiana. and
late one night his master. accompanied by his
two sons and the Government officers, appeared
at a farmhouse at which they had Information
the fugitive was kept in hiding and demanded
his surrender.
The inmates of the house denied that the negro
was there. The officers then began to force an
'hN ~ NAO 'NEN 81 llblAl ~
windows. loud blasts were blown on dinner
horns. and. as IL by magic. more than n score Of
negroes swarmed from an adjacent corn field.
they were armed with guns and corn cutters.
They surrounded tho slave hunters and soon
Casper Hanway appeared. On his appearance
the negroes attacked the GOrsuch party, in spite
OF attempts 10 prevent them. Col.
Gorsuch was shot by one of the negroes, and,
falling TO the ground. was hacked to death with
corn cutters in the hands Of others.
The officers fed, but Col. Gorsuch's sons stood
their ground and fought desperately to recover.
the body OF their father. In the fight one of
them was almost cut to pieces. Other white
people arriving on the scene, the negroes were
driven away. and Col. Gorsuch's mutilatcd body
and his wounded son were removed to safe
quarters. Tho sons life was long despaircd Of,
but he recovered.
Hanway and two or three of the negroes were
indicted and tried for murder. but were qG-
quilted. The Government then took the matter
up, and Hanway and others were arrested and
indicted on a charge OF high treason. They
were tried at Philadelphia. Among the jury
men called to try them were Simon Cameron
and Caleb Cope, both of whom were excused on
the plea of feeble health. they both affirming thit
u was doubtful II they would live more than a
few months. Simon Cameron lived to be 81,
and Caleb Cope died at "a. 90.
Inc trial was notable for being the first ono of
me KIND In the country except the trial OF Aaron
Burr for treason. 1t resulted in a verdict OF ac-
qMlttai. Casper Hanway removed to Ohio soon
ittter The emancipat ton proclamation was signed
by President Lincoln, and died there about three
years ago.