Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1856-09-10
Horrible Tragedy.

We find the following in the Marion Inte.
gencer With its evident errors and exaggera-
tions the tale is one of unusual horror. We
give it for what it is worth, with the hope, that
for the honor Of Illinois, further accounts may
lieye it of its most revolving features:
A gentleman from Pope county has just given
us few of the particulars attending one of the
most tragical and revolving occurrences it has
ever been our fortune to chronicle; such one
perhaps rs never transpired in this part Of the
country, and in all human probability never will
again. & ...zS s.-.ss5.s.ls. =
1t appears that runaway negro from Ken
lucky had been committing number OF depre-
dations in the neighborhood of Golconda, and
for several successive nights had broken into the
houses Of farmers residing in that vicinity, which
he plundered of provisions and whatever else of
value lie could manage to carry off. On Wednes-
day night of week before last, whilst on one OF
his predatory excursions, he visited the house of
Mr. Daniel Threfdkeld, seven miles west of Col
conda, into which he made a forcible entry thro'
the window of Mrs. Threldkeld's room, (she be-
ing alone with her children-Mr. T. absent on
business and notwithstanding most vigorous
resistance on the part Of Mrs. T. he finally suc-l
cecded in choking her down and ravishing her
person. after accomplishing which, he made his
way to Mr. Jackson's, near neighbor of Mrs.
T.'s, broke into the house, and attempted to
commit rape on the person OF Mrs. Jackson, who,
byher screams, soon awakened her husband, who
administered TO the wretch severe drubbing.-
In tho seuine which ensued the negro made his
escape, but was captured by Mr.. jackson, assis-
ted by some Of his neighbors, and taken to Col
conda where crowd of exasperated citizens
had gathered, the majority of whom were in ia
vor Of hanging him on the spot; but finally it
was, after much discussion, resolved to give him
Into the hands of q committee, with instructions
+ to deal with him as they thought best. The
/ committee decided in favor of giving him up to
the authorities to be dealt with as the law di-
trects, and he was accordingly delivered into the
custody of the sheriff ~
This procedure, however, did not meet the
views of the majority of the crowd, who after
wards took vote whether he should be left to
the lawor given up the Threlkeld and his friends
/ a large majority of those present were decided
" in favor of the latter alternative, and the ne
/ gro was thereupon forcibly rescued from the
Esherif taken by the mob about miles back in.
Ito the country, and there tied up to tree
Mrs. Threldkeld was then sent for, who fully
4 ideptified him as the one who had violated her
/ person on the night previous An old sword in
4 the possession of one Of the crowd was now Sc.
| cured and placed in the hands of Mrs. T. who
thereup IN proceeded to slash, lab and cut him
in the most terrible manner. After her ven
gence was fully satiated, the brothers and hus-
band of Mrs. 7. shot the negro six or seven times
in different parts of the body--one of ier broth
ers finally putting an end to his torments by
shooting him through the head. The brutal ex
hibition was finally wound up by actually scalp
ing him, and his remains were thrown into a gul.
ly a few rods from the place of execution.
The coroner of Pope county held and inuueset
over the mutilated remains next dav. and rem
ldered verdict in accordance with the facts
We learn that there is a strong feeling through
out Pope county condemnatory of the manner
4 Of the negros death.
q No steps have yet been taken towards the ar.
rest Of the parties, but tue matter will certainly
undergo judicial insestiga before many days.