Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-24
MISCELLAN EOUS.

we had an account 10y telegraph Of dsgracefu pro-
ceedings PEORIA mob having attempted to hang two
prisoners who Jail there under sentence of death for
murder The Peoria Republican gives the following par3
culars Of the dissracsful affair:
1t is generally known that We have two young men con-
fined In our county JAIL under sentence OF DEATH for the
murder Of Mir Hewitt in October last The day hxed by
the for their execution was the 10Th instant The
il was about the limit assigned by the law unless for
show the Governor might proiong Special app
cation being made 10 the Governor that iuncnonar post
poned the execution of the until the 18th day Of
January next. Unfortunately this application was made
only few days before the time by the Court had expired
and the respite not known here soon enough 70 certify
the public OF distance Of the change.
On the evening of the 18TH the unusual concourse OF peo
pie from distance gave token OF the anticipated event
which had called them from their homes Dissatisfaction at
the posponement OF the execution began TO be manifested
People who had left their business and come long way to
hung not be deprived OF the sight with
impuny One unhappy man had, it seems, now twice in
his life walked oil night to see somebody hung and was
second time fall short of his lofty aspirations II was
100 much Such sore bereavemens in free country were
intoerabe 1t was therefore, determined that, law
law the hanging off Menaces TO this effect did
first apprehension as was thought incredible
that whether crafty depraved appetite for carnage or
idle curiosity upon the pretence OF melting out justice
the guilty. in this land would openly and wan,ony
defy the law stain their hands in human blood and incur the
guilt of the murderer Hence doubtless that suf
fcent organization for the defence was effected in time by
the proper officers
increased and directed their towards the Jail soon
throng there concentrated The prisoners were de-
manded Of the sheriff but there yet little concert of
action, and no acknowledged leader.
In the meantime, gallows erected on the opposite
side Of the street fronting a-he haers prepared and
fastened TO their pacesevery thing arranged the
hangmans moose that the business might whenever
the prisoners brought FORTH There was for eac
but is said that by way OF luxury pehap George was to
be hanged FIRST and Tom obliged to stand by and look
tho amabe cxecuriones might the better regae them
selves upon the agony which the sight and his own mpen
ding doom would awaken But not TO extend this detail
far suffice say that despite the efforts of few in
side and outside who anxious to arrest
ngs the door jail burst In and the hail. the
cells Of the victims filled with the mob Here the strength
of the cell door brought them to halt. Beams Of timber
crowbars stones and sedges did the work. however and
the both cells effected George caught
F' om. ''N ''''S' ''' ~ ' y '@'' ''' '"'' y
ded not be taken While the mob work without,
he had managed 10 dig stone from the floor OF his cell,
which he slid into the leg Of pair Of cast Oft breeches and
stood on defensive But when the door burst n il
he taken little by SURPRISE and some of the rab
BILE entered His adroilness however and the Of his
slngsot enabled him get rid Of them He then posted
himself at the door, which being low and narrow, but
could tme and fast attempted il, he paid
the forfeit Three four of them knocked down. and
the skull Of one of them broken instruments of defence and
attack procured but those he managed capture and
used them in ortiyng his position. Some drew ps
challenged the fellow shoot said he might kill him where
he was, the sheriff might take and hang him according
law, but he would never be dragged out by mob and
hung like dog.
This fierce determination sell his life dearly and die in
his tracks, had melowing and enlightened influence upon
the dense faculties of his asssaans They began moder
ate in their zeal for justice and think they carrying
matters The favorable moment seized by the
friends of ORDER and proposition aordng oop-holo o.
escape from the gnony Of defeat made and accepted
After some parey the Jail cleared, the gaows taken
down, and the mob dispersed. The performance
of partur,ion ceased be felt Thus ended in farce VIVA
threatened and designed for tragedy And this result
brought about chiefly by the skill and vaor of Tom
Brown, one of the prisoners
For the Enquirer.
The committee on County Courts and county organization
is composed Of the following gentlemen from the various
portions of the Commonwealth with their pursuits in life
annexed
@ James F. Strother Rappahannock county, Piedmont
IL g. Andrew Hunter Jefferson county Valley; Lawyer.
4. A. A. chapman, Monroe county, Allegheny
S. Walter D. Leake Goochand county, Piedmont; Attor
ney for Commonwealth County Court.
g. Samuel Watts, Norfolk county, Tide Waters Justice o
the Peace.
l. David Fultz Augusta county, Valley; Lawyer.
g. Francis W. Scott, Caroline county, Piedmont; Lawyer
H. J. Fisher, Mason county, Trans Aeghany Attorney
for commonwsal,h County Court
10. Thomas NJ. Tate, Smyth county, Trans Allegheny
Justice Of the Peace.
II. Thomas Wallace, Petersburg Tide Water; Lawyer.
IL. P. g. Van Winke Wood county, TransA Allegheny
IT, Br,nchJ worsham Prince Edward county, Pedmon,
Clerk County Court .;r
Clerk County Court.
Is Samuel NJ. Garland Amherst county, Pcdmont Cerl
County Court.
Thus 1t will be seen. that out Of committee of fifteen
there are i've from the Piedmont country two from the Val
lev three from the TdeWaer, and five from the TTansA
le5hany country. Out Of these fifteen there seven
connected with tho County Courts, viz three from the
Trans Allegheny country three from the Piedmont and
from the Tide-Water country
Was the present County Court system fortunate the
composition Of the committed and not the composition
the committee occurrence when all its relations de-
tendencies and connexions carefully reviewed. But no
doubt il was purely accidental ONE COMMITTEE
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE-ST. CHARLES HOTEL DURNT-ALSO
THREE CHURCHES AND OTHER BUILDINGS
New ORLEANS, January is, ?. NJ
FIRE broke this morning in the magnificent ST. Chas
Hotel and before the flames could be arrested the entire
building with all ofits valuable furniture laid in
The flames extended to Rev. Mr. Capps Church-aso the
Methodist Church. and likewise the Poydras
Church all of which, besides several other buildings
destroyed The ensn worked with great energy but could
the property Fortunately lives have been lost
large Of property belonging guests of the hotel
has been lost.
The total loss by this canagaion is supposed to be
million of dollars. There partial insurance. but to
what extent cannot now say.
Photographed for The Richmond Enquirsr]
BALTIMORE, Jan. q, 1851.
Nothing has yet been heard Of the steamer Atlantic.
Flour Howard street -four "a S. Grain and other things
remain unchanged