Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-04-14
STATTNTON VA WEDNESDAY, APRIL II, 1867.
ExcIrEmEsr IN GRAYsoN COUNTY.
MULTIPLICATION AND LYNCH LAW THREAT
EEED,


MULTIPLICATION AND LYNCH, Law THREAT
ENED.
The reader will recollect that some
months since the good people OF Gray
son county were thrown into an intense
state of excitement consequent upon the
manifestation, in a neighborhood in that
county of a spirit OF insubordlnatIon on the
part of several slaves. Under the teachings.
as it was charged. of an abolitionist nam
ed Jarvis G.. Bacon, several slaves belong
ing to citizens residing in Grayson county,
armed themselves and attempted to reach
the State of Ohio. They were pursued, o.
vertaken and captured after severe strug-
gle, in which a worthy citizen OF the coun-
ty named Samuel Bartlett, lost his life
The slaves thus recaptured, were commit
ted to jail as mulderers. In due course OF
time they were brought to trial, convicted
and executed. Pending the trial of these
poor deluded slaves, the citizens OF the
county met together, and after vowing ven
gence, hot and swift, against 3acon, who
had fled the State, appointed a committee
of vigilance, whose duty it was to purge the
county of all abolitionists. In execution of
this trust, the committee apprehended two
or three citizens, who, they allege. had so
far forgotten what was due to their neigh
bors and to the laws and institutions OF
their own State as to join Bacon and en-
brace his wicked faith. 1t is needless to
say, these citizens were pretty summanly
dealt with, according to the code OF Judge
Lynch.
One of the "men of wicked faith, it aP-
pears. Jno. Cornut by name, feeling lndls-
posed to submit tamely to The lndlgnities
he had suffered at the hands of the Com
mittee of Vigilance instituted suit against
fifty or sixty citizens of Grayson, members
of the committee. Finding it impractic a.
BILE to obtain legal assistance in the county,
he obtained the services of two gentlemen
james Shelfey and B. F. Wysor-resid-
ing in an adjoining county, upon paying
each fee of $500. Suit having been in
sttuted under the auspices of these legal
gentlemen, the people of Grayson assem-
bled in large numbers, at their court house
on the 22d ultimo, and amongst other things
resolved, 'that if Messrs. Jas. w. Shefey
and B. F. Wysor should visit Grayson
county for the purpose of instituting or car
rylng on a suit or suits for John Cornut or
anv other of the like character, we think
they should be treated to coat of tar and
feaihers and that we will aid in bestowing
the same"
They also resolved the clerks of the coun-
ty and ircuit courts should not be permit
ted to issue an y writs from their respect
i've offices for the commencement of any
suit against any citizens of that county for
any act done by them in expelling the abo-
litionists, and that the Sheriff of the coun-
ty should not execute any such process up
on the citizens for the cause Aforesaid
They pledge themselves to hold the Clerks
and Sheriff personally responsible for vi
olation of these injunctions, whilst at the
same time they promise to stand between
these officers and all danger, whether per-
sonal or pecuniary.
The citizens 60 even further than this,
and declare that neither Geo. w. Reeves,
Stephen M. Dcky, Tavern Keepers at the
Court House, nor any other citizens ofthe
County, shall receive as guests INTO their
taverns or houses, James w. Sheffey Ben
iamin F. Wysor, or any other person who
Shall come to the County for the purpose of
propagating Abolition principles, or aiding
them in any manner shape or form. They
also adopted resolution making it incum-
bent upon all candidates for office IN the
gift of the people, to endorse these resolu-
tons, and to agree in writing to strike from
the polls the votes of all known Abolition.
lists, and not count them in ascertaining the
result of the elections.
Thus matters stood at last accounts
Judging the temper of the meeting from the
tone of its proceedings, we incline to the
opinion that it would not be safe for either
Mr. Sheley or Mr.. Wysor TO venture upon
the prosecution of the suit in which they
have been retained. Every lover Of law
and order, however, will be forced to con-
denim the proceedings of the people of
Grayson. They have virtually nullifed
the laws of the Commonwealth, and usurp-
ed the seat of justice.-Rich. Times.
TEA BEST IN EvENING.-Tea, as the
morning beverage, when breakfast forms