in the darkest
days of Slavery to give his time and talents to the fugitive, even in
the most hopeless cases, and when, from the unpopularity of such a
course, serious sacrifices would be likely to result. Consequently he
was but at home in this case, and most nobly did he defend his clients,
with the same earnestness that a man would defend his fireside against
the approach of burglars. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury
returned a verdict of "not guilty," as to all the persons in the first
count, charging them with riot. In the second count, charging them with
"Assault and Battery" (on Col. Wheeler) Ballard and Curtis were found
"guilty," the rest "not guilty." The guilty were given about a week in
jail. Thus ended this act in the Wheeler drama.

The following extract is taken from the correspondence of the New York
Tribune touching Jane Johnson's presence in the court, and will be
interesting on that account:

"But it was a bold and perilous move on the part of her friends,
and the deepest apprehensions were felt for a while, for the
result. The United States Marshal was there with his warrant and
an extra force to execute it. The officers of the court and
other State officers were there to protect the witness and
vindicate the laws of the State. Vandyke, the United States
District Attorney, swore he would take her. The State officers
swore he should not, and for a while it seemed that nothing
could avert a bloody scene. It was expected that the conflict
would take place at the door, when she should leave the room, so
that when she and her friends went out, and for some time after,
the most intense suspense pervaded the court-room. She was,
however, allowed to enter the carriage that awaited her without
disturbance. She was accompanied by Mr. McKim, Secretary of the
Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, Lucretia Mott and George
Corson, one of our most manly and intrepid police officers. The
carriage was followed by another filled with officers as a
guard; and thus escorted she was taken back in safety to the
house from which she had been brought. Her title to Freedom
under the laws of the State will hardly again be brought into
question."

Mr. Williamson was committed to prison by Judge Kane for contempt of
Court, on the 27th day of July, 1855, and was released on the 3d day of
November the same year, having gained, in the