Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-06-14
More outrages on the Canal Canal Bank cut
away, and Aqueduct burnt by a Mob-Re;
ward for the Governors Head - Lynching
and Threats of Lynching, &c,
and Threats Of Lynching, &c.


[From the Evansville, Qnd.) Journal, June 4.
A short time since we published the fact
that a large body OF r~ufianS OF Clay and VigO
counties had cut away the bank OF The Birch
creek reservoir, and that they threatened DIRE
vengeance on those who may attempt TO repair
the breach. The Governor issued a PROCLAIM
ton, which we published, offering rewards
for the perpetrators Of the outrage. The
ScoundrelS sent n formal notice TO q resident
trustee at Terra fIaute that, ifan attempt was
made 10 repair the canal, it would be at the
risk of the lives OF The men semi, and tlot the
canal would be cut away for a long distance
in the neighborhood Of the reservoir. Not
withstanding these threats, a State Boat was
sent 10 the reservoir last Tuesday, with TWEEN
ty armed laboIers, under charge Of Mr.. Hig-
gins. They worked all Tuesday without i'll
%terruption.
Wednesday night the canal bank was cut
away on Summit Level, eighteen miles below
Terra Haute, and boats on the level coming
down, al once made their way back to Terra
Haute with much difficulty. The acqueduct
over Birch creek, near the reservoir, as was
that part Of the canal cut away, was burnt
down the same night, a guard Of the poor tie.
luded Scoundrels standing by 10 prevent inter
ruption during the fire. 1t was also under.
stood they intended to GU: away the old reSer-
voir, on the opposite side Of the canal 10 the
other, and perform other acts OF %vilIiany. As
an exhibition oftheir contempt for the Governor
and his proclamation, they stuck up a notice
offering a high reward for the Governors head.
On Tuesday night the boat was surrounded
by men with blackened faces, who, during
the night, kept up a continued firing OF guns
about the boat. These rufiianS held meet.
ing about q mile from the boat during Tues.
day night, and drew up a statement Of thei:
complaints, and resolutions of a threatening
nature. In the morning a copy OF these was
found stuck up on the boat, with a warning
that the laborers would b; allowed seven
hours to take away the earth they had repla.
ced in the reservoir bank, and one hour after
that 10 leave, and then, that the canal would
be cut away and the Birchcreek Aqueduct
burnt the following night. The laborerS,
who had been during the whole night expect
ing an attack, took the seven hours for at
once making tracks from the neighboThood in
stead Of undoing their work OF the previous
day.
1t was reported at Terre IIaute, Friday
morning that this mob had destroyed the two
locks al tile junction. They left written no.
tees at the doors Of persons in their ~neighbor-
hood, who regarded their acts with disappro-
vol, that if they gave any information as 10
the perpetrators Of these cowardly acts, or
had anything TO say on the subject, they would
be at once taken out and lynched. II was
reported al Terre llaute that The owner of a
mill in this neighborhood had, for some Of his
language Of diSappToval, been severely lynch
ed by scourging, and was lola that if he in
terlered any further his mill would be burnt
% the ground. A number Of coal. boats were
left high and dry.