CASTNER HANWAY.ELIJAH LEWIS.JOSEPH SCARLET.
TAKEN SOON AFTER THE TREASON TRIALS.
THE CHRISTIANA RIOT
AND
THE TREASON TRIALS
OF 1851
AN HISTORICAL SKETCH
BY
W. U. HENSEL
Prepared and Published for the Commemoration
of these Events, September 9, 1911
Press of
The New Era Printing Company
Lancaster, Pa.
1911
PREFACE.
The preparation of this sketch and contribution to ourlocal history had been long contemplated by the Editor andCompiler. Born near the locality where the events occurredwhich are its subject, he has been for more than half a centuryintimately related with their associations. He has regardfor the integrity of motive which alike animated bothparties to the conflict. It was a miniature of the greatstruggle of opposing ideas that culminated in the shock ofCivil War, and was only settled by that stern arbiter. Herejoices that what seemed to be an irrepressible conflict betweenLaw and Liberty at last ended in Peace. To help toperpetuate that condition between long-estranged neighborsand kin, this offering is made to the work of the LancasterCounty Historical Society.
While it has been written and published for that Society,no responsibility for anything it contains or for its promulgationattaches to any one except the author. Where opinionsare expressed—and they have been generally avoided asfar as possible in disputed matters—he alone is responsible.Where facts are stated, except upon authority expresslynamed, he accepts the risk of refutation. In all cases he hastried to ascertain and to tell the exact truth. He worked inno other spirit and for no other purpose; and wherein he hasfailed his is all the blame.
W. U. H.
“Bleak House,”
August 12, 1911.
I propose to write the history of the so-called “ChristianaRiot” and “Treason Trials” of 1851, as they occurred—withoutpartiality, prejudice or apology, for or against anyof those who participated in them. As is inevitable in allsuch collisions, there were, on either side of the bordertroubles of that period, men of high principle and rightmotive and also rowdies and adventurers, disposed to resortto ruthless violence for purposes of sordid gain. There wereslave-masters who sincerely believed in the righteousness ofan institution of ancient origin, while even the more sagaciousof their class recognized it as at variance with thedivine law and the trend of Christian civilization, and inevitablydoomed to extinction. There were on this side ofthe line many who, believing themselves humanitarians, weremere mischievous agitators, lawless in deed and treasonablein design, reckless of those rights of property which are a