Columbia gazette., 1853-11-19
LYNCH LAW IN COLUMBIA.

LYNCH LAW IN COLUMBIA.
On Sunday evening last, our town was
the scene of an extraordinary excite
ment. An Austrian, by the name OF
Peter Nicholas, from Saw Mill Flat,
visited Columbia, and became intoxica-
ted and quarrelsome In the evening, he
met Capt. John Parrot, from Pine Log
Crossing, formerly of Gloucester, Mas
sachusetts, and attacked him roughly,
sening him by the throat, and demand
ing to know the name of his country
Parrot replied to him quietly, at the
same time trying to shake him Off
Nicholas became exasperatcd and Par
rot, in stepping back to avoid him, STUN
bled aud FELL Nicholas at the same time
drew his bowie knife and plunged it into
Parrots neck, running down his back
some five or six inches. Medical
assistance was Immediately procured, but
all to no purpose, for the unhappy man
expired yesterday afternoon, about four
O'Clock. 1t appears that there had been
ill feeling between the miners of Pine
Log Crossing and the Flat for some
time past; the parties engaged in this
affair, however, were perfect stranger to
each other, and the murder was COM
mitted without any palliating circum-
stances attending it. Thus was an hon
ct, peaceable man cut down in the prime
of life, blythe knife of the assassin.
Nicholas was Immediately arrested by
the citlzams and handed over to the au-
thorities; thus evincing commendable
disposition to have justice mceted out
to the murderer by the laws of the coun-
try.
On Monday morning. he was examin-
ed before Justice Carey, and commit
ted, of course. Before his removal could
be effected, an immense crowd had con-
gregatel around the Court House, next
door to our Office. A large body of men
from Pine Log-the friends of Parrot
numbering about sixty, now appeared on
the ground, and demanded the prisoner;
and it was evident to all, that rescue
would be attempted. Constable Conner
swore in posse of special constables.
The prisoner was chained to staples
driven into the floor But all these pre-
cautions were without avail. The court
room soon became crowded by The excit-
ed multitude; and at signal, the Off
GERS were secured, the staples forced by
a pick, and the prisoner handed out of
the court house, over the heads of the
infuriated crowd. Thence he was borne
along Broadway, some holding on to the
hair of his head, others to his LEGS, arms
and body, to a pine tree in the rear of
Mr.. Van Gulpen's store. A rope was
speedily procured, and thrown over the
limb, and doubtlessly moment more
the prisoner would have been launched
into eternity, but this was prevented by
the timely interference of Mr.. CofEorth
and others of our citizens. Appeals
were made to the multitude to give the
culprit a fair trial, and after long par
ley and an excitement that almost baf-
fes distinct portraiture, it was acceed-
ed to, and Gold Hill was selected as the
mimic Court House. Thither moved
the crowd, which had increased from a
hundred to over a thousand.
Upon the arrival at Gold Hill, J. D.
Patterson, Esq. was appointed sheriff,
with several deputies. A jury was en-
panelled, consisting of four from Pine
Log Crossing, and eight from Columbia;
among whom were Messrs. Leary, Hill
dreth, Evans, Massey, Brophey, and 9TH
crs of our citizens. At this period, the
Sheriff of the county, Maj. Solomon ar
rived Oh the ground. and demanded the
prisoner should be given up to him, He