The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-03-12
Number 81.


He's there snug Come, light up! we've
been fools to wait so long upon his notion"
In very short time a pile of faggots
was placed against the door and ignited.
The breeze was light, and an immense
volume Of smoke rolled slowly upwards,
and thickened the surrounding atmosphere.
Soon the door began TO crackle, and 6nal-
ly it was one living coal. The logs Of
which it was made were tough and green,
and did not burn readily, else an entrance
would have been gained sooner. The
| lynchers stood like SO many statues, with
their arms ready for use, watching every
conceivable outlet, as cat would enforce
surveillance over mouse trap. Not
muscle moved in that stern assemblage.
At length the door gave way, and gem
eral cheer was the consequence. f
"Let it burn on" said the little man. "if
he can't come out now he may perish"
He had scarcely uttered these words
when human form bounded over the
smoking embers, and sprang into our
midst. Almost simultaneously, several of
the lynchers set about extinguishing tho
flames. ring was formed Of the lynch,
ers, Jim and myself included, about the
man. He was athletic, in appearance,
beautifully made, with a skin as smooth
and white as a girls, and an eye whose
fire shone like the rays of the sun.
"At last we've got you," said Cadav-
erous, with sickly smile.
"Yes, by besieging my property and
burning it," was the reply. 8
whats your name!" asked Cadavsr-
Gus, while the Secretary noted down the
proceedings.
"James Thompson"
"Your agel"
"Twenty-seyen."
'You are stranger here?"
81 have lived here one year and four
months"
"Where are you from?"
Louisiana"
You are charged with horse stealing
and assassination" said Cadaverous.
"Both charges are false"
"Did you not kill Thomas Schooley?"
"Yes, in fair and honorable duel"
'!You lie-you murdered him."
"You are supported by your friends. or
you would not speak as you do, nor any
Of YoHars as scomganyy::". g.yy.::.4 -..A-..g,.a.
continued. '.Do you know that we are
the lynchers?" .r-g@,
"Yes." -
"Why did you not face us beforel"z,
"Because it did not please me. I'M
"You have confessed that you killed
Tom Schooley have Won not2o
The young man refused to answer any
more questions until he stood within his
own dwelling, and, some Of their party, the
lynchers, agreed 10 follow him inside.
There they hemmed him in as before
The apartment was very roomy, and scru-
pulously clean, bu, it was scantily fur.
nished.
The right of interrogation was resumed
and finished. A couple Of Witnesses were
called and examined. 1t was too appar-
ent that the young man was horse thief
and an assassin.
Cadaverous, after consulting with his
partners. said, in voice whose tones
were solemn and suggestive Of dignity
"James Thompson, we have found you
guilty o! theft and murder. Hear the sem
tence of the Court Five minutes will be
allowed you for preparation, at the end Of
which time you will be hanged, and may
God have mercy on your SOUL"
The young man burst forth in com.
plete torrent Of invective. He called them
butchers, robbers, and everything else that
was approbrious. He denied their right
to punish him, and taunted them with be-
ing cowardly, and relying for conquest
upon their superior numbers. The lynch
ers heard him calmly until the FIVE min
utes were expired, when the little man
merely said: Times up!' and then every
rifle was cooked.
"Do you think III be hung quietly and
submissively like dog!" yelled Thomp-
son, drawing his knife-"no, if you will
have my life you shall pay for it,"
In an instant he was cutting savagely
among his enemies. Half dozen rifles
were discharged, and the place was filed
with smoke, which precluded the possibili-
ty of seeing what was going on-butI
could hear the paintings and struggles
and groans Of combattants. As for Jim
and |, we remembered our oath, and did
nothing save escape to the open air. We
had hardly breathed the pure atmos-
phere for the space ofa second, ere ThompI
son ushered forth, covered with blood, fol-
lowed by the lynchers. He ran about
hundred yards and fell dead, but first bu-
rying his knife, with savage blow, three
inches in the trunk of a young tree. ~aa
He had slain four Of his assailants, and
wounded two, one Of whom was our shriv-
elled little friend. Jim found rifle bah in
the fleshy part Of his arm. | discovered
the perforation of two balls in my hat.
We had had snough oftrading expeditions.
and the next day we were at council Bluff.
on our way home. : '''lp3