... You will issue your warrant to
apprehend the said John Sevier, and in case he cannot be
sufficiently secured for trial in the District of Washington,
order him to be committed to the public gaol."
The judge's authority was to be exercised after he had examined
the "affidavits of credible persons." Campbell's judicial opinion
seems to have been that any affidavit against "the said John
Sevier" could not be made by a "credible person." He refused to
issue the warrant. Tipton's friend, Spencer, who had been North
Carolina's judge of the Superior Court in the West and who was
sharing that honor now with Campbell, issued the warrant and sent
Tipton to make the arrest.
Sevier was at the Widow Brown's inn with some of his men when
Tipton at last came up with him. It was early morning. Tipton and
his posse were about to enter when the portly and dauntless
widow, surmising their errand, drew her chair into the doorway,
plumped herself down in it, and refused to budge for all the
writs in North Carolina. Tipton blustered and the widow rocked.
The altercation awakened Sevier. He dressed hurriedly and came
down. As soon as he presented himself on the porch, Tipton
thrust his pistol against his body, evidently with intent to fire
if Sevier made signs of resistance.
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