Year: 1861

| me as uncomfortably probable. "What
shall be done with him?" was the next
question. Some were in favor Of hanging
him Immediately; others for con6ning him
in Jail awhile, in hopes he might divulge
something about the insurrection and The
coming of John Brown No. .. Discussion
waxed warm. Both parties wanted their
own way and were determined to fight for
it. "a procedure that l was perfectly
willing to see carried out, even to the des.
peration Of the Kilkenny cats that fought
till nothing remained but the tails.) on


Finally, Carroll arose and remarked
that his county had not done with me yet
that as they had "toted' me about the
country considerable to get evidence, and
as they had finally procured my conviction,
it was no more than fair that they should
have the privilege of hanging me. A mo
ton was made and reluctantly carried that
be remanded back to the vigilance oom-
mittee at Caldwell. ... .....-.,.


The cause Of Carroll's course was this;
he was "rising young lawyer" with an
itching for legislative honors, but never
having done anything upon which to pred
icate claim to political advancement he
regarded the holy mission of catching Alb
olitionists as something savoring Of fame.
The opportunity therefore Of hanging me,
and the consequent Onconiums passed up
on the sagacity, sacrifice and patriotism of
his worthy SELF was considered by him as
an important step towards the goal of his
ambition, hence he scrupled not to resort
to any scheme however base Having "li-
onised" to his satisfaction at Cameron, he
desired to return me to Caldwell in order
to have another opportunity of creating
sensation.


On the way back l was guarded more
carefully than ever Carroll preserved a
stern silence. Perhaps he was thinking
out thunder for his next speech; perhaps
celebrating some prospective Presidential
Message, or signing death warrants upon
the throne Of some future Calf State En-
pire. Arriving once more at Caldwell l
was placed in a small room on the second
floor Of hotel. 1t had single window
facing small garden enclosed with pick
cts. The door was fastened and guarded.
That evening meeting of the "Lickspit-
ties" whose mission is the performance of
the low nasty work of the Slave drivers
was held in the court house at which Car
roll detailed his exploits. He declared |
was an "0berln Saint"--a John Brown
missionary, and impressed upon them the
imperative necessity of hanging every man
that did not believe in Slavery, heart and
soul. ,a


CritteDden in the mean time, observing
the phases of affairs came to the hotel and
managed to obtain admission to, where |
was. He informed me that Carroll's sto-
ries had alienated the few remaining
friends habitat the mob assembled at
the court house intended to hang me as
soon as they adjourned,-that my only
chance was to break through the guard
and escape under cover Of the night. and
if caught 'to die fighting like man."
Handing me bowie knife with the in
junction ''never give up" he bid me has
ty, fervent adieu and departed. At the
recollections of him cannot find language
to express the measure of my gratitude and
admiration. .e


There are thoughts who has not felt


them?


Which no words can ere impart;


Heavens best language oft is silence,


Natures noblest voice the heart,


Half an hour elapsed, during which l
was cautiously removing the fastenings
and opening the window Of my room
Hardly had it been accomplished when
general shout toward the court house told
me that the time for the final struggle had
arrived. AS the madding yells of the mob
came fcarfully nearer and nearer, singu.
lar feeling came over me. A thousand
thoughts thronged my brain--a world Of
images--the scenes of my ehildhood-the
associations Of my youth-the dear friends
of other days, appeared floating and fit
ting like dissolving shadows before my i'm
Imagination as if in moekery at my misfor-
tunes AS the realities of death by the
gallows--so frightful and dishonorable--
arose before me- my whole soul concentra-
ted into one desperate resolve to escape or
sell my life at fearful price Stepping
to the window | sprang out. Fortunately
the ground was soft aud sustained no in
jury. Starting to my feet, two of the
guard raising the shout Of escape rushed
upon me. For while We fought with
desperation. One of them being thrown
down, the other sprang back. levelcd his
revolver at me. 1t missed FIRE. A num-
Der Of others were approaching and Twas
almost surrounded. Darling past him /