Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-07-13
MURDER AND LYNCHING.

! An Outrage OF more than ordinary atrocity was
! perpetrated White Rock Oglc co. Illinois, on
the 9th ult We give the facts TO the public from
| such sources deem the most authentic Du-
ring the last twelve months Ghe Rock River country
south Of the Illinois line, has been infested with
gang Of horse thieves, counterfeiters and gamblers
who have continually harrassed that region ofcoun-
try, and committed the most daring outrages. Their
numbers and their accomplces had become so M.
mefoas, that the country wasawed by their influence
and many good citizens were compelled from motives
of self preservation 10 endure in silence the repeated
o. gres ions of these lawess Williams. company
was organized AZ Washington Grove, Ogle county.
few weeks since, for the purpose of mutual defence
and for detecting and bringing 70 Justice these land
pirates. Mr.. John CambeIl, was chosen leader Of
the company. Mr.. Iambell is represented as having
been a man Of unrnpeachablo charactor and respect,
ed by every moral and vir,uous citizen.
Among the most daring OF the outlaws, was John
Driscal and his four sons, William, David John and
Pierce. On Sunday afternoon. the 9th ut, David
Drisca and another notorious thief by the name of
Bridge, approached the house of Mr. John CnmbelI,
on preience OF enquirng The road sedging that they
had lost their way. While bIr. Camben was giving
them the asked for information Bridge aimed "a rife
deed very naturally aroused the whole surrou ding
country, large concourse of people were soon as
scmbled from Ogle and Winnebago counties, and
pursuit given the murderers A number o
persons were arrested among " HON were John Dris
call and three Of his sons, all of whom were carried
to Washington Grove, and put on trial before court
of tho whole people. Council was assigned TO tho
prisoners, and other proper means for making Their
defence. Tie people who assumed TO be the court,
were composed of some of the most respectable cit
of Oge and Winnebago counties. Among their mum
Der were ministers. lawyers, doctors, farmers and
mechanics The trial of the prisoners was co nduct-
cd according TO the forms of law, and after hearing
all the evidence it deliberately dctermn ed that
John and William DriscaIl, had conspired with 9th
ers 10 take The ilc of John Cambell and that they
were accessory to his murdcr-and that they were
guilty of afdng catnougo of offences previously com
mitted. "hereuPon it was unanimously resolved,
that they be shot forthwith.
At tho request Of The prisoners an hours respite
was allowed to prepare for eternity, with minister
OF the Gospel TO engage with them in PRAYER and re-
gieus conversation. At the expiration of the hour
the sentence was carried into execution, and John
and William Driscall were shot in the presence of
the assembled multitude. Thus died two hardened
wretches, whose lives have been marked with in(a-
my and crime
David DTscall and Bridge, had not been apprehena-
ed TO the ;imeofour latest information but sup
posed that their escape viii be impossible Death
is their certain doom if they arc taken.
We arc not disposed at this time discuss the pro-
priety of this summary kind Of Justice, " hch hos
been melted out to these two men. The Supremacy
Of the law should doubtless be the resort for the pu
nishmont of crime in all cases where it is practical
Bile. But there may be extreme cases in which the
people have an uudoubted right. to take the law in
to their own hands in self defence. No doubt there
will be an honest difference of opinion, with respec
to the merits Of the case in question.