Daily Evening Journal, Monday, October 30, 1854

BEFORE JUDGE GREEN

Monday, October 30.

The case of O. A. Butman, came up before the Court this morning, on charge of carrying concealed weapons, on complaint made this morning, before Judge Adin Thayer, -- H. S. Stone for the defence.

The counsel objected to the writ, on the ground that it was returned to a justice of the peace, while the justice of the Police Court was in town. Also, that the defendant had not had time to prepare his defence. The court adjourned the case two weeks, and Mr. Butman was discharged in his recognizance, in the sum of $100.

DISTURBANCE AT THE POLICE COURT

While this was going on inside the Court Room, a scene occurred in the Hall, which stirred up the already excited feelings of the crowd. As Butman was carried into the Marshal’s Room, by Marshal Baker, the crowd became indignant, that he was protected thus, and a young colored barber, named Solomon Dutton, it was alledged, burst through the door, and struck Butman a blow, which felled him to the ground. This, however, is denied, and it is affirmed that in the rush to the door, Butman was pushed down. The Marshal immediately arrested Dutton. The crowd interfered and attempted to rescue him, but the Marshal succeeded in putting him into his room. The storm burst out anew, and a severe altercation took place between the marshal and several citizens, on the right of the marshal to protect that man in the City Hall. While this discussion was going on, Dutton opened a window of the Marshal’s Room, and leaping to the ground, escaped. This seemed to quiet the outsiders.

As this crisis the Mayor arrived, and having requested silence, Mr. Baker rehearsed the circumstances of the arrest.

G. F. Hoar, Esq., then addressed the crowd, pledging that the man should leave the city by the next train.

To this the people assented; whereupon Mr. Hoar went to the door, and putting his arm within that of Butman, walked with him towards the depot, the crowd following with loud hisses and groans.

On the way to the depot Butman was struck several times, rotten eggs were thrown, and many demonstrations of personal violence were made. On the arrival of the parties at the Western Depot, the cars were found to have left, and an attempt was made to get Butman away from the infuriated crowd, by placing him in a buggy, but they were too strong for that team, and after considerable dodging he was finally placed in a hack and driven from the depot on a run, and thus escaped violence which, we doubt not, might have cost him his life.

We understand that in the course of his walk to the depot he promised the crowd that he would never again visit Worcester if they would let him alone and give him a chance to depart peaceably.