The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-10-14
SCHUYLER COLFAx MOBBED BY THE
OLD LINERS.
Two Men RGlled, Women, Men and Horses
Knocked Down.

From reliable correspondent we have re-
ceived an account of the riot at Bourbon,
Marshall Co, at the discussion between Judge
Stuart and Mr.. Colfax.
A wagon containing four men and num-
Der of ladies came from Kosciusko county, to
attend the speaking. In the wagon was
borne banner representing buck on his
last leg. Threats were made against the wag-
on before it reached the ground, and during
the speaking thirty Irishmen, who were en-
ployed upon the railroad, prepared hickory
clubs, and as the wagon passed grocery at
the lower end of the town, it was attacked by
these men who knocked down the horses and
commenced an indiscriminate assault upon all
in the wagon.
The screams of the women as they begged
for their lives and the shouts and murderous
blows of the attacking party were awful, and
presented scene which drove in terror the
multitude, which was largely made up of
women. Men endeavored to save their own
families, and there was no time to assist the
unfortunate wagon load, which was soon over
powered by the infuriated brutes who forgot
to discriminate between women and men in
their mad attack.
Whilst one of the mob stood with his club
elevated with both hands, and in the act of
striking, he was shot and fell dead. The
persons in the wagon were seriously bruised
and injured, and were only saved from death
by the attention of the mob being attracted
to another object. r
In tho wagon was the wife of Mr.. LeffYl,
citizen of Kosciusko county, who, hearing
r Al r l. G. IL 1oo 10
tect her. On approaching the wagon he and
his horse were knocked down, and finding the
odds against him too strong, he retreated to
the house of the Rev. Mr.. James, whose fam
ily, with himself, had been witnesses to the
terrible scene 81 the wagon. Mr.. Leffel Was
pursued by the mob, who picked up axes as
they went. broke in the door in a window,
and brutallv murdered him in the presence
of the terrified family. His body was horri-
bly, mangled, his legs and head being nearly
cut 70 pieces.
Mr.. Colfax had been TO supper third of
mile from the scene of these transactions,
and in short time after, passed the grocery
where were congregated the assailants of the
wagon. They assaulted his horse with clubs
and nearly knocked il down, and threatened
the life of Mr.. Colfax. He was able te keep
his horse in motion, and escaped. The mob
clubbed man riding short distance behind
him, and threatened the life of a Captain
Sterling, who had recently become Repub-
lican, and also beat young man named Sam
uel Disher. They took complete possession
of the town, while the people anxious for the
safety of the women fled in confusion.
Mr.. Leffel was prominent member Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He was mild
and inoffensive man, and universally beloved.
All parties agree that there was no provo
cation for this murderous affair, and the as
salants are universally condemned, particu-
larly by the Democrats who witnessed it. II
is hard to realize the fact that so wanton an
outrage could be perpetrated in a civilized
community, and that Irishmen, who are so
notorious for their chivalrous respect for wo-
men, should so far forget their character as to
be guilty Of such an outrage. They must
have been urged TO the deed by some politi-
cal fiend, or have been drunk. IL is hoped
that the murdcres may be found and punish
cd.--Logansport Jour.