was a colored man, who was seated by the kitchen fire, and in
the act of taking off his shoes. He was instantly knocked down
and gagged; but, still resisting, he was beaten most
unmercifully. There was a woman, and also a feeble old man, in
the house, who were attracted to the spot by the scuffle; but
they could neither render any assistance, nor (the light being
put out), could they recognize the parties engaged in it. The
unhappy victim being fairly overcome, was dragged like a slain
beast to a wagon, which was about a hundred yards distant,
waiting to receive him. In this he was placed, and conveyed
across the line, which was about twenty miles further south; and
that was the last, so far as I know, that has ever been heard of
him. The alarm was given, of course, as soon as possible, and
the neighbors were quickly in pursuit; but the kidnappers had
got the start of them. The next morning the trail between the
house, and the place where the wagon stood, was distinctly
visible, and deeply marked with blood.

About a fortnight since, a letter was brought to our office,
from a well-known friend, the contents of which were in
substance as follows: A case of kidnapping had occurred in the
vicinity of West Cain Township, Chester county, at about half
past one on Sunday morning, the 16th March. A black man, by the
name of Thomas Hall, an honest, sober, and industrious
individual, living in the midst of a settlement of farmers, had
been stolen by persons who knocked at his door, and told him
that his nearest neighbor wanted him to come to his house, one
of his children being sick. Hall, not immediately opening his
door, it was burst in, and three men rushed into his house; Hall
was felled by the bludgeons of the men. His wife received
several severe blows, and on making for the door was told, that
if she attempted to go out or halloo, she would have her brains
blown out. She, however, escaped through a back window, and gave
the alarm; but before any person arrived upon the ground, they
had fled with their victim. He was taken without any clothing,
except his night clothes. A six-barrelled revolver, heavily
loaded, was dropped in the scuffle, and left; also a silk
handkerchief, and some old advertisement of a bear bait, that
was to take place in Emmittsburg, Maryland. In how m