Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 August 1858 — An Unaccountable Panie. [ARTICLE]

An Unaccountable Panie.

. A correspondent of the Fairmont True Virginian gives an of a singular scene, which occurred last week in the Marion county Court House: “ >lr, F. 11. Pierpoint sat in" rather a re- ’ cuinbeut position, with the back of his chair - against the enormous stove near the clenk’a desk.' From the st;we ascends, perpendicularly, to the ceiling, a stove-pipe of great lengtli. Some one, perhaps Mr. Watson, the clerk, hallooed to Mr. P. to take care, or the stove would be upset; whereupon Mr. Nesson and Mr. Haymond rather abruptly 'and loudiy seconded Mr. Watson; and, as if to assist in creating alarm, the stove-pipe rattled against the ceiling. Like lightning, Mr. Pierpoint sprang from his se>t, ran across the rod i, and jumped out ot Hie window feet foremost. A panic immediately Seized , all—a most unaccountable panic. Sum ‘ one said the cei lug was about to falL 'l'iiis capped the climax; every one took to hi«~lieeis: Judge Camden jumped up ou the win-d.jw-»!li; tiie clerk tumoied out of the .window next liis desk; .Messrs. E. B. Hall, A. S Hayden. G. D. C mden, Jr., Allison Flemming. W. 11. i h impson and Ellery R. Hull, ail made ior mile windoyv, and, puniest ricke.u■ like a 11 ,ck of sheep, tumbled out h ■l'is-oxer-heaii u.tcr Mr. Pierpuini—some oh their hands, soiiy on tne bucks of friends, and all presenting u most ludicrous appearance, as they rolled about tiie Court House yard'to the greatj terror o ' the young ladies enjoying the ‘allfresco’ c-f the jail-porch, convenient to t’m? window’. John Kean, as if, tiie devil was at his heels, made for the dibor, up,set two old mem, who yelled terrifically, in the hall, cleared the railings in the yur-d. and never looked baek until he got to the other sidj of the street. Meanwhile, others tell upon their kne.s and prayed; some were petrified with fear, and others stood aghast with wonder. In about five minutes, however, the whole scene ended. The stove did not fall; the stove-pipe stood erect; the ceiling was firm; loud laughmr sulcceeded cie-spair; good humor once in >re prlw iiled, and every one, look ng a" little foolish, and a great deal pleased, took his seat as before, and the business o*f the c-.urt went on.’as usual.” O