The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-02-06
A Disgraceful See ne Tho Mob At Peoria,
Illinois.

A Disgraceful seene--The Mob at Peoria,
Illinois.
Some days ago we had an account 10y telegraph)
of some disgraceful proceedings at Peoria, mob
having attempted to hang two prisoners who were
in jail there under sentence of death for murder.
The Peoria Republican gives the following par
ticulars of the dsgraceful affair:
1t is generally known that we have two young
men confined in our county Jail, under sentence OF
DEATH Df shs Of Of M ,ba, IN
ton was the 20th instant. The time given them
to prepare for death was felt to be short but it was
about the limit assigned by the law, unless for
cause shown, the Court or Governor might prolong
it. Special application being made to the Gover,
nor, that functionary postponed the execution OF
the sentence until the 18th day Of January next.
Unfortunately, this application was made only
few days before the time set by the Court had ex-
pired, and the respite was not known mere soon
enough to certify the public at distance OF the
change.
On the evening of the 18th, the unusual con-
course of people from distance gave token OF the
anticipated event which had called Them from their
homes Dissatisfaction at the postponement OF the
execution began to be manifested. People who had
left their business and come long way to see two
men hung, were not 10 be deprived Of the sight
with impunity. One unhappy man had, it seems,
now twice in his life, walked all night to see some
body hung, and was second time to fall short OF
his lofty aspiration! 1t was too much. Such sore
bereavements in free country were intOlerable
1t was, therefore, determined that, law or no law,
the hanging must come of. Menaces to this effect
did not at first create apprehension; as it was
thought incredible that, whether to crafty de-
praved appetite for carnage, or an idle curiosity,
or upon the pretence OF netting out justice to the
guilty, men in this land would openly and wan
tonly defy the law, stain their hands in human
blood, and incur the guilt Of the murderer! Hence,
doubtless it was that sufficient organization for
the defence was effected in time by the proper
officers.
On the morning of the Goth, the crowds from the
country increased, and directed their course to-
wards the jail soon vast throng was there con-
centrated. The prisoners were demanded of the
sheriff; but there was yet little concert of action,
and no acknowledged leader.
la the meantime, a gallows was erected on the
opposite side of the street fronting the jail--the
halters prepared and fastened to their places
every thing arranged, even to the hangman's
moose, that the business might proceed whenever
the prisoners were brought forth. There was a
rope for each but it is said that (by way of lux
ury perhaps) George was to be hanged first, and
Tom obliged to stand by and look on, that the ami
able executioners might the better regale them
selves upon the agony which the sight and his
own impending doom would awaken.
But not to extend this detail too far, it must suf
flee to say that despite the efforts of few inside
and some outside, who were anxious TO arrest pro-
ceedngs, the door of the Jail was burst in and the
hall, up to the cells Of the victims, filled with the
mob. Here the strength of the cell door brought
them to a halt. Beams of timber, crow bars stones
and sledges, did the work, however, and the en-
trance to both cells was effected. George was
caught praying, and brought into the hall to avail,
the capture of Tom.
Here slight obstacle again intervened. Tom
had concluded not to be taken. While the moi
at work without, he had managed to dig stone
from the floor Of his cell, which he slid into the
leg Of pair of cast off breeches, and stood tn,
defensive. But when the door was burst in, i
seems he taken little by surprise, and somt
of the rabble entered. His adroitness, however
and the Of his slung shot, enabled him to gel
rid OF them He then posted himself at the door
which being low and narrow, but one could enter
at time, and as fast any one attempted it, he
paid the forfeit. Three four of them were
knocked down, and the skull of one of them broken
Instruments of defence and attack were procured
but those he managed to capture, and used then
to fortify his position. Some one drew psto
and ordered him to surrender. He barred his breas
and challenged the fellow to shoot, and said they
might kill him where he was, the Sheriff nigh
take and hang him according to law, but that he
would never be dragged out by mob, and hung
like dog.
This fierce determination to sell his life dearly
and die in his tracks, had nellowng and enlight
ening influence upon the dense faculties Of his as
sailants. They began to moderate in their zeal 70
justice, and to think they were carrying matter
too far. The favorable moment was seized by tn
friends of order and proposition affording loop
hole of escape from the ignominy of defeat wa
made and accepted. After some parley, the ja
was cleared, the gallows taken down, and the mo
| dispersed. The perfor nance was over--the noun
tain had labored, the mouse was born, the throe
of parturition ceased to be felt. Thus ended il
farce, what threatened and was intended for tragedy
| And this result was brought about chiefly by tn
skill and valor of Tom Brown one Of the prisoner,