Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Stephen Arnold of the town of Burlington, in the state of New-York, who, in a most wanton and cruel manner, whipped a girl of 6 years of age seven times in the space of an hour and an half, because she did not pronounce gig as he required, and which caused her death, was apprehended at this place (Pittsburg) on Monday evening last, by Mr. Thomas Cohoon, who heard of him at Oswego upon the Susquehanna, and followed him 320 miles. His apprehension was attended with singular circumstances.

On Sunday he arrived here; he was unsuccessful in three or four applications he made for a passage down the river: he continued in the vicinity, upon Grants Hill, a considerable part of the day, and was frequently upon the point of committing the dreadful act of self-murder, but was happily deterred by a directing Providence. Monday night he called at Mr. Henderson's tavern for something to eat, but said he had no money--in a short time Mr. Cohoon came in and was informed that a countryman of his was in the room, to whom he addressed himself, and discovered that he answered the description of Arnold. After requiring the other company to leave the room he read the advertisement--while reading he discovered the other drawing something from his pocket, upon which he raised his eyes and said, You are the man, the hand dropped--it was a pistol which was cocked twice, and only prevented from doing execution by Mr. Cohoon's firmness. They took him to a magistrate, but on the way he drew a pistol and fired, a different direction was given to it by his arm being seized by a bye-stander--the flash of the pistol singed his temple, and the ball flew by the ear of Mr. Cohoon--it however did no injury. The pistol, a number of balls, a rope, and some money, were found upon him--he called himself Smith, and would give no satisfaction that night. The next day he made full confession--and appears to be fully sensible of the enormity of his crimes, deplores the violence of his passions, which have sunk him from a respectable standing in society to the lowest degradation.

[Tree of Liberty, March 8.]