The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-11
By D. W. Mcrvsr.

. times in the founding of the greatest and best government the world ever saw" the freedom and liberties of which we are all enjoying today, was Aaron Burr, of New York, who was a leading mem Der of the New York Legislature, At torney General of the State, United States Senator, 6 Vice-President or the United States. In 17e6 Burr was can didate for President as an Antt-Feder- alist, and received SS votes; in 1900 he was again a candidate for President as an Anti Federalist and received 7S votes. tieing Jefferson-the House of Represent atives deciding in favor of Jefferson. Burr was chosen vice-President and hiied that position from 1sn to 1905. During his incumbsncy of this position he Killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, and the tide of public opinion setting strongly against him in consequence of that af- fair, he went into ,xile on the seacoast Fof South Carolina. A warrant for the killing of Hamilton prevented him from returning to New York, but he returned to Washington and presided over the Sem ate until the expiration of his term of office as vice-President On account of this misfortune which made him very unpopular, he longed for and sought brighter prospects in the Southwest He travelled through Kentucky and Tennes- see and enjoyed the society of Clay and Jackson. He had purchased lands grant, ed by the King of Spain to Baron Bas- trop between the Sabine and Natchitoches and his designs appear to have been the colonization of these lands, the expul- sion of the Spaniards. the conquest of Texas and ultimately of Mexico, to effect which it was necessary to raise a large armed force in the West. He believed that war would soon ensue between this country and Spain and in that event he planned to cooperate with the Vest ern and Southern armies. He made act i've preparations for executing his pur- pose and rumors reached Jefferson that Burr was raising troops for the purpose of dismembering the Union. He caused him to be arrested at Lexington, Ky, where Mir. Clay appeared in his defense, and he was discharged for want of suffi- cient evidence to convict him. He was again arrested by the Governor of Mis- sissippi Territory. The people generally are said to have sympathized with him and thought nim much wronged. He made bond easily and when the court convened he demanded discharge for want of Jurisdiction by the court The want Of Jurisdiction was admitted, but 1t was insisted that the case be sent to. a competent tribunal. When the court convened the next morning the pris- oner did not make his appearance in the court room, and it was soon ascertained that he had fled. A troop of cavalry was dispatched in pursuit of him, while the Governor offered reward of 5000 for his apprehension.
 Arrested in Alabama.
 This was in January, 1907, and Burr made his flight into the country now in- cluded in Alabama and was arrested at a point now in Washington County, not far from the home of MT. Howard Douglas, where I visited very recently, and had the spot pointed out to me. It is of this event and its local bearing that 1 started out to write about par ticularly, and the story of the flight and arrest is most interestingly told in Pick ett's history of Alabama, to which l am indebted for the story.
 During a cold night in February, two young men, Nicholas Perkins, a lawyer, and Thomas Malone Clerk of the Court, were sitting in their cabin in the vil- lage of Wakefield Washington County, playing backgammon, being much ab- sorbed in the game, at 10 o'clock at night. The distant tramp of horses ar rested their attention and shortly two travellers rode up to the door, one of whom inquired for the tavern. It was pointed out to him and then he asked the road to Colonel Hinson's. Perkins in- formed him that the route lay over difii- cult paths, the place was seven miles distant and a dangerous creek intervened. The fire. being replenished with pine, now threw a light in the face of the traveller, who propounded the questions. IT nd PnrlginQ ceedingly interesting. His eyes sparkled like diamonds. while he sat upon his splendid horse, caparisoned with a fine saddle and new holsters. His dress was that of a plain farmer, but beneath his coarse pantaloons protruded pair Of exquisitely shaped boots. Ills striking features, with the strange mixture of his apparel aroused the suspicious of Per kins, and no sooner had the two trav- elers ridden from the door han he said to Malone, with the most earnest gestic- ulation: That is Aaron Burr. have read a description of him in the procla- nation. I cannot be mistaken, let us follow him to Hinsons and take meas ures for his arrest" Malone declined to accompany him. remonstrating at the same time upon the folly of pursuing traveller, at such late hour of the night and upon the basis of the merest con- lecture. Perkins now rushed to the cabin of Theodore Brightwell, the Sheriff, and awoke him. Presently these men were seen riding off at a rapid pace. The night was bitter cold and the pine trees of the forest sadly moaned. The trav- elers strangely made their way to the residence of Hinson, where they arrived about half past Il o'clock. The moon had just risen and enabled the lady of the house, whose husband was absent, to see that they were travellers, by their saddlebags and tin cups, as she timidly peeped through a small window. She made no answer to their 'halloo" but quietly closed the window. The stran- gers ahghted and went into the kitchen, where a cheerful fire was yet burning
 Perkins and the Sheriff soon came in sight of the house. The former, recol- lecting that he had already been seen at Wakefield, thought 1t polite to remain in the woods until Brightwell could go in the house, make the necessary discov- cries and retarn to him. Mrs. Hinson was a relative of the Sheriff, and recog- nizing his voice, felt relieved of the fears she had felt in consequence of strangers having come at such a ate hour of inc | night. Brightwell repaired to the kitchen | and discovered one of these men sitting 1 by the fire with his head down, while a
 handkerchief partially concealed his face.
 His companion had gone to the stable
 to assist a negro in taking care of the
 horses. It was not long before they went
 into the main building where the hostess
 had hastily prepared supper. While the elder traveller was eating he engaged her | in sprightly conversation. in which he often thanked her for her kindness Al