Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-08-06
THE vIcKsBURG TRAGEDY.
VIcKsBuRa. [Miss July o.

dings of the citizens Of this town. which
will excite the attention OF the public, was
prepared by a witness OF the acts detailed
and the correctness Of the account may
be relied on:
Orr city has for some days past been
the theatre Of the most novel and startling
scene that we have ever witnessed. While
we regret that the necessity for such
scenes should have existed, we are proud
of the public spirit and indignation against
offenders displayed by the citizens, and
congratulate them on having at length
banished a class Of individuals, whose
shameless vices and daring outrages have
long poisoned the springs Of morality. and
interrupted the relations Of society. For
years past, Professional Gamblers, desti.
tute of all sense Of moral obligations TN
connected with society oy any Of its ordi
nary ties, and inten. only on the gratifca-
ton OF their ayarice--have made Vicks.
burg their place Of rendezvous and in
the very bosom OF our society, boldly
plotted their vile and lawless ma .i,inatiops
Here, as every where else, the laws Of
the country were found wholly Intellectual
for the punishment Of these individuals,
and, emboldened by impunity. their nun
oers and their crimes have daily continued
to multiply. Every species OF transgres
sion followed in their train. They sup
ported a large number of tipping houses,
to which they would decoy the youthful
and unsuspectipg; and, after stripping
them OF their possessions. send them forth
into the world the ready and desperate ia.
struments Of vice. Our streets every
where resounded with the echoes of their
drunken and obscene mirtb, and no citi-
zen was secure from their vilany. Ere
qnentiy, in armed bodies they have dis
turbed the good order Of public assemble.
ges, insulted our citizens, and dcGed our
civil authorities. Thus they had contin-
ued to grow holder in their wickedness,
and moro formidable in their numbers,
until Saturday, the fourth Of July instant,
: when our citizens had assembled, toge tn
er with the corps Of Vicksburg Volunteers
al the barbecue, to celebrate the day by
tho usual festivities. After dinner, and du
ring the delivery Of the toasts, one of the
oihsers attempted TO enforce order and ST.
icnce at the table when one of these gam
biers, whose name is Cobler, who had
lmpndeDtly thrust himself into the conpa.
ny, nsnltcd the officer, and struck one Of
the citizens. Indignation Immediately
rose high, and it was only by the intefer
ence OF the commandment that he was saved
from instantaneous punishment. He was.
however, permitted to retire, and the
company dispersed. The military corps
proceeded to the public square of the city,
anu information was received that Cobler
was coming up armed, and resolved to
XIII one OF the volunteers who had been
most active in expeling him from the ia
ble' knowing his desperate character
TWO OF The corps instantly slept forward
and arrested him. A loaded pistol, a
large knife, and dagger were found on
ms person, all of which be had procured
since he had separated from the company.
10 lberate him, would have been TO do
,o'e several oil the most respectable mem
Dets OF the company to his vengeance,
ana 10 proceed against him at law would
nave been more mockery, inasmuch, as.
not having had the opportunity of consum
hal'ng ms design, no adequate punish
ment could have been inflicted on him
consequently it was determined to take
him into the woods and Lynch him-which
IS mode Of punishment provided for
such as become obnoxious in a manner
winch the law cannot reach. lie was i'm
mediately carried out under guard, at
tended by crowd Of respectable citizens
tied to a tree. punished with stripes
tsrred and tea,hered, and ordered to leave
the city IN forty eight hours. In the mean
Time one oil his comrades, the Lucifer of
the gang. had been endeavoring 10 rally
and arm bis confederates for the purpose
OF rescuing him; which, however, he fail
ed TO accomplish.
Having thus aggravated the whole band
oil these desperadoes, and feeling no secu
rity against their vengeance, the citizens
met at night in the Cour. house. in a
large number, and there Passed the fol.
lowing resolutions:
Resotred, That notice be given 10 all
professional gamblers, that the citizens Of
Vicksburg are resolped to exclude them
from this place and its vicinity and that
twenty four hours notice be given them 10
leave the place.
Rssolced, That all persons permitting
faro dealing in their houses, be also mott.
hed that they will be prosecuted therefor.
Hesotred, That one hundred copies of
'he foregoing resolutions be printed and
stuck up at the corners Of the strects-and
that THIS publication be deemed notice.
=. on sunday morning, one of these no
uces was posted at the corners of each
square OF the city. During that day (tbe
S'h instanU majority of The gang, terri.
NED by the threats OF the citizens. di,ner-
SEQ IN different directions, without making
any opposition. 1t was sincerely hoped
mat the remainder would follow their ex
anple' aau mus prevent bloody termi
t m . OIL .he strife which had commenced.
va Tue morning Of the 9th, the military
corps, followed by file of several hun.
areo ciilzens, marched to each suspected
nouse' and sending an examining com
miltee, dragged out every faro table and
other gambl ing apparatus that could be