From the Richmond Enquirer, 9/27/1861, p. 3, c. 4
MAYOR’S COURT - THURSDAY. - John Delany, one of the
combatants in the riot between the “Butchertown” and “Hill cats,” on Wednesday
evening, was charged with being a person of “evil name, fame and reputation.”
John wasn’t exactly prepared to prove his good character, and so the case was
continued.
Martha Buckton, a degraded white woman, who has been in the
habit of seeking her lodgings under the basin shed, was committed in default of
security for her good behavior....
Emilias Agnesia was required to pay $10 for retailing
liquor without a license.
Branch, a slave to Thomas Bass, was ordered 39 for
assaulting and throwing vitriol upon Elizabeth, a free negress. The prisoner
made a desperate effort to escape the penalty by flying from the Court but he
was pursued, and, after a smart race, captured.
_______
EXCITING CHASE. - During the course of the official
proceedings before the Mayor’s Court, yesterday, Branch, a slave, belonging to
Mr. Thomas Bass, who had been ordered to be corrected for a dangerous assault
upon a free negress, left the prisoner’s box and attempted to escape, by
slipping for the door of the Court room opening into the northern lobby of the
City Hall. The manouvre was detected a second after the prisoner had made his
exit, and quick pursuit was made by several officers in attendance. Terror
appeared to lend speed to the flying darkey, and he ran with great agility up
Capitol street, towards the Central Hotel, closely followed by officer Seal, who
outstripped all pursuers. Headed off by some officers, in the direction of his
flight, the fugitive then attempted to escape by doubling upon his pursuer. The
dodge was, however, ineffectual. Officer Seal stuck to the “flying institution”
with the pertinacity of fate, and notwithstanding his twistings and dodgings,
succeeded in overhauling him on 10th street, just as Mr. Andrew
Jenkins had collared the now thoroughly exhausted obo-shin. The race and
the pursuit occasioned great excitement for awhile, and was witnessed by quite a
crowd of individuals. The darkey protested stoutly that he didn’t intend to run
away, but only wanted to be absent for a moment or two, while Mayor Mayo was
attending to another case.
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last updated on
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