Holly Springs gazette., 1846-02-07

From the Albany (Ga Patrio, 7th inst
TERRIBLE RETRIBUTION-MOB |
LAW-TRIAL CONDEMNATION |
AND EXECUTION OF STEPHEN |
p. YEORMANS.
During the las. Indian war in Florida, |
an extensive band of pirates formed secret
organization for the purpose OF robbing and
plundering the people of that parl of the
country. They committed crimes which
were charged upon the Indians. and tended
much 10 proiong and embi,ter the bloody
strife. Since the war they have made
themselves the scourge and terror of the
northern part of Florida and OF the south
.rn counties of Georgia, by negro stealing,
robbing, and other crimes
A large number of citizens residing near
the flne OF Georgia and Florida, met in
November last, and organized an associa
ton for the purpose oil detecting these men.
Having asceTtained that Stephen p. Ieor-
mans was one of the principal members of
ihis pin alical gang they offered a reward of
$500 through ihe columns OF the Floridian
OF the ooh of November, for his apprehen-
| sion and delivery 10 the Sheriff, of Jefferson
county. Florida.
| On Sunday night the 9th ult Yeor-
mans was arrested a few miles below this
place. obtained release under writ of
| Habeas Corpus, was re-arrested, and finals
lay delivered on Thur sday last. TO the as
socation of citizens who offered the reward
In November last.
The scene which followed, we give from
the mouth of an eyewitness. The citizens
composing the association. to the number
of about one hundred and seventy'fve, or>
ganized at the line of Georgia and Florida,
on Thursday morning al 10 o'clock. A
committee of twelve men, representing a
Jury. were appointed and sworn TO try
Yeornans for offences with which lie was
charged Witnesses were sworn, and his
own confessions taken. all of which wen. 10
prove that he had been engaged for several
years past, with number of others who
he named, in stealing negroes, both slaves
and free. and selling them in other States
and committing other depreda,ions upon
property The trial lasted until nearly
night. The evidence having closed, the
committee representing ajury. returned
a verdict of guilty. This was on the Geor
gia side of the line between the two States
The Sheriff OF Gadsden county. Florida
was present on the Florida side of the lin.
; during the early part of the day. but left be
,, fore the trial closed. A. motion was nov
put to deliver the prisoner into the hand
: of the constituted authorities Of Florida
This was decided in the negative by al
almost unanimous vote. A vote was ther
taken as TO what punishment should be
inflicted This was decided to be Death
$ by vote Of about six to one, anc time o
execution fixed at twelve o'clock on the fol
: lowing day. The assemblage now crosses
the line into Florida, where. the presdin,
$ officer pronounced solemn sentence ofdeath
Yeormans fell, when he heard the sentence
as though he had been shot, but soon recov
cred, and asked the presiding officer I,
; pray for him. He called upon preache
of the Gospel. three or four of whom wer
present participating in the proceedings. Il
). pray for the prisoner, and strange to say
every man present knet upon the ground
and Joined in a most solemn and impressv
t. prayer to God, that lie would grant tn
+ wre,ched criminal that mercy which the,
y themselves were in the act ofrefusing him
y A guard of twenty five armed men wer
|" placed in charge of the prisoner. and tn
!. assembiage then dispersed to meet agail
II on the following day and enact the las
d scene of this sad tragedy. Our inlorman
l. left on Friday morning, and met a iarg
number of persons who we're going TO wit
:. ness the execution. which undoubtedly tool
v place according TO the sentence.
J Thus we have given plain statement c
y facts which It is painful % record.
However guilty Yeormans may have
: been or however worthy o. death, the dc
g iiberatc refusal 10 give him a trial in tn
regularly constituted court, before an i'm
y partial Judge and jury and of bIs coun,r
{ when the laws were capable of reaching
: : and punshing his crimes was fearful sta
al the constitution and laws Of the country
} which are the only sure guaranty OF socia
9 order and individual security. A justic
of the peace participated ia the trial an
d condemnation. Had be forgotten his oa,
d to support the constitution. and to faithful
5, administer the Iaws2 Had the preacher
e forgotten tha. they were the professed mi
n. is.ers of Peace2 Did those persons who oc
D. copy high places in society. reflect that th'
10 principle TO which they were then givin
The sanction of their acts. would, if carries
If out. unsettIe the very foundation Of socit
II ty, and snbject themselves and all they bel
d dear or sacred. to the capricious will Of Al
e excited multitude
i Let every good citizen remember ihs