South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-08-08
THE VIcKSBURG TRAGEDY.

AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT.
The Louisiana Advertiser OF the
18th, received last evening, gives the
particulars, in authentic shape, Of the
horrid outrage lately committed at
Vicksburg, Mississippi. and which pre-
sent the transaction in more odious
light even than the former account. 1t
is as follows:
Some difficulty arose at the public
dinner given 10 celebration Of the 4th
Of July, as too often happens on SINH.
lar occasions, between MIR. Fisher,
who belonged to the volunteer compa.
ny, and Mr.. Francis Cobler. From
words they proceeded to blows. Mr..
c. having drawn knife upon his OPP
ponent, the company taking the part
of their comrade, seized him, bound
him to tree, and inflicted thirty two
lashes on his person!
Not considering this sufficient, they
,arred and feathered him, alleging
that he was gambler: he entreated
them to shoot him rather than disgrace
MIN in tina, manner, and begged Of
them not to let the tar fall into his eyes
as they poured it over his head; but
the person he addressed, instead Of
complying with his request, struck him
violently with stick across the eyes |!
He was then released, and ordered to
quit the city in "a hours.
The next day they went forth arm
ed, in military array, TO pull down,
tear out, and dsmolish every thing ap.
pertaining to gambling, and TO tar and
feather every one who should oppose
them law or no law. Some wish-
ed to protect their property, but their
hearts failed them when they saw the
state Of excitement Of the volunteers
One at length determined to stay in
Mr.. North's house to protect himself
from being tarred, and TO secure the
house and grocery from destruction.
He had fastened the doors; but on Bod
ley's kicking one of them open, some
shots were exchanged the consequence
of which was, that the doctor was kill
ed upon the spot /; and one Of the in.
mates of the house, person named
Cullum, or, as we have heard since,
Helms, was so wounded as to have
been totally insensible to the subse>
quent punishment inflicted on his body,
whilst suspended with the rest upon the
galIows.
Three more individuals were taken
in the house, the bar keeper called
Dutch Bill, MIR. Samuel Smith, and
Mr.. Mccall. North, who had preyi.
ously Quilted it, and was endeavoring
to make his escape by water, was ar
rested about a mile from the city and
brough, back /; his hands were tied be-
hind him, and he was obliged to walk
with the rest, who bad been similarly
bound e each having rope around
his neck, which was frequently jerked
so violently as nearly to choke them !
In this manner they we're conducted TO
the scaffold and executed. The un..
fortunate sufferers presented such a
horrible appearance that the passers
by were moved even to tears Some
of them endeavored to interfere, but
were threatened with similar punish.
ment and were obliged to desist.
These unfortunate men claimed to
the last the privileges of American CHI"
zans, the trial by jury,& protested them.
selves willing to submit 10 any thing
their country would legally inflict upon
them, but we are sorry to say their pc.
lition was in vain The black musi-
clans were ordered to strike up, and
the voices ofthe suppliants were drown
ed by the fife and drum. Mr.. Riddle,
The cashier ofthe Planters Bank, Or
dered them to play Yankee Doodle, a
tune which we believe, has never been
SO prosiituted Beforehand we trust
will never be again. The unhappy
sufferers frequently implored drink
of water, bul they were refused
The company consisted Of 80 or 40
persons, commanded by Capt. Baum.
guard, and armed by the United States
Tor very different purpose, that Of
protecting their fellow.cilizens, and
maintaining the supremacy ofthe laws.
Such conduct would disgrace Algiers,
and could hardly have occurred ia a
barbaroUs state.
The wife Of one of the sufferers,
half distracted at the cruel treatment,
and murder OF her husband, trembling