Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-08-02

officers in re-conducting the prisoner tc
Jail. Meantime the crowd without was
collecting and becoming more furious in
their clamors for the prisoner.
Judge Doolittle came to the porticc
and made very impressive address tc
the populace, demonstrating against the
spirit which seemed to actuate them
and in favor of the supremacy of the
laws. He was listened to respectfully
and at this juncture more quiet spirit
seemed to prevail. This was about IL
O'Clock A. NJ. About o'clock the
crow 4 thinned out and the officers deem.
ed this a fitting time to proceed with the
prisoner to Jail.
At this time we were sitting in our
Office, which is but short distance from
and commands view of the jail, and
had written the most of the foregoing
article.
We we're then startled by the cry ol
hang himI hang him!' when on STEP
ping to the window, We saw the officers
and prisoners coming towards the jail,
surrounded by the infuriated mob. A
rush was made for the Jail, the door Of
which was barricaded by the crowd,
and the approach of the officers cut OFF
The oficers-though resisting the pop
ulace with all the energy they possess
ed, and protecting the prisoner to the
utmost of their power-were borne
down and overpowered. The prisoner
was then almost alone; but he defended
himself with superhuman strength. He
fought with the utmost desperation, and
possessing a most athletic physical
frame, for some ten yards the crowd
fell like chaf before him. A blow,
however, with bludgeon from behind
Ielled him to the ground, and he was
powerless. A rope was then passed
around his neck, seized by the crowd,
and a rush made down Court street.
The prisoner, though dragging in the
dust, caught hold Of the rope with his
hands, and thus prevented strangula,
ton at once. Arrived in front of our
Office, desperate effort was made by
the officers to rescue him. The rope
was cut three times by Mr.. Orrin Gurn-
sey, who exhibited the most determined
bravery in his behalf. but as often was
he thrust aside and the rope re-adjust-
ed.
At this time a scene almost indescrib-
able was exhibited; a crowd OF between
three and four thousand persons swayed
to and fro. In the centre was the DOOM
ed prisoner, lying upon the ground
above him stood friends begging and
struggling for his life-while far great
er number were intent upon his death.
This state of things lasted about ten
minutes, and as we looked from our
window the hope predominated that the
friends of law and order might yet pre-
vail. But it was a vain hope. Hang
himp rose louder than before, and a
rush with the prisoner was made to the
cluster of trees on the public square;
the rope re-adjusted upon his neck, the
other end thrown over the limb of tree,
and for the first timein our life the hor-
rid spectacle of a human being hanging
by the neck until he was dead, met our
view.
We have thus endeavored to give a
faint but truthful history of the terrible
events of this day. We have witnessed
a scene, which, God grant, we may new
er see again. 1t was spectacle which,
to be appreciated, must be seen, but
once seen can never be forgotten. True,
the circumstances which attended the
murder of Alger, were of the most ag-
gravated kind. 1t was a cold blooded
and atrocious deed. 1t is unattended
bv single mitigatory circumstance
But these facts do not justify the course
that had been adopted to-day. 1t will
be heralded throughout the country as
an evidence of mob spirit which prevails
here, and will be an ineffacable blot up
on the escutcheon of our fair young
city, whose reputation will suffer in spite
of the truth, which, when known, should
shield it.
The murdered man was a raftsman
He was well known to all who follow
this occupation on Rock River; he had
been known to them all for years and
was admired and respected by them all,
His residence was near Jefferson, in
Jefferson county, in this State. His
friends were aware of the enormity oi
the murder, and as they supposed the
inadequacy of the prnishmentwhich oul
law provides for SO foul crime, ~
they assembled in a mass here to await
the issue of the trial. During its pro-
gress no more than common excitement
was perceptible, but last evening, after
the verdict of the jury was known, the
deep-seated and determined feeling tC
visit punishment upon the head of the
prisoner exhibited itself, and to-day ar
organized band of not less than three
hundred persons were present whC
would not be satisfied save with the life
blood of the murderer. We say thil
upon the authority of others and upor
our own belief. This morning at abou
8 O'Clock signals were fred in the city
and there is no doubt large body o
men from a distance were present from
early day, whom no influence or per
suasion could have changed from thei
purpose. The excitable and impulsiv,
of our city joined them, and thus result
/ have been brought about to-day which