Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1856-10-03
From the Logansport Journal
Schuyler COIfax MObbel by the
Old Liners.

From reliable correspondent, we have
received an account of the riot at Bourbon,
Marshal county, at the discussion between
Judge Stuart and Mr.. Colfax.
A wagon containing four men and a
number of ladies, came from Kosciusko
county, to attend the speaking. In the
wagon was borne banner representing a
buck on his last leg. Threats were made
against the wagon before it reached the
ground, and during the speaking thirty
Irishmen, who were employed upon the
railroad, prepared hickory clubs, and as
the wagon passed grocery at the opposite
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 wo-
men as they begged for their lives and
the shouts and the murderous blows
of the attacking party were awful, which
drove in terror the multitude, which was
largely made up of women. Men endeav-
ored to save their own families, and there
was no time to assist the unfortunate wag-
on load, which was soon overpowered by
the infuriated brutes who forgot to dis
criminate 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 inthe wagon were only seri-
ously bruised and injured, and were only
saved from death by the attention Of the
mob being attracted to another object.
In the wagon was the wife of ia Mr.. Lef-
fel, citizen of Kosciusko county, who,
hearing of the danger of his wife rode back
to protect her. On approaching the wag-
on 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 family, with himself,had been
witnesses of the terrible scene at the wagon
Mr.. Lef1el was pursued by the mob, who
picked up axes as they went, broke in the
door and window, and brutally murdered
him in the presence of the terrified family.
His body was horribly mangled, his head
and legs being nearly cut to pieces.
Mr.. Colfax, had been to supper third
of mile from the scene of these transac-
tions, and in a short time after, passed the
grocery where were congregated the as
sailants of the wagon, They assaulted his
horse with clubs and nearly knocked it
down, and threatened the life of Capt.
Sterling, who had recently become a Re-
publican and also beat young man named
Samuel Disher. They took complete pos
session of the town, whilst the people anx-
ious for the safety of the women fled in
confusion.
Mr.. Leffel was prominent member of
the M. E. Church. He was a mild and
inoAensive man. and universally beloved.
All parties agree that there was no pro-
vocation for this murderous affair, and the
assailants are universally condemned, par
ticularly by the Democrats who witnessed
it. 1t is hard to realize the fact that 80
wanton an outrage could be perpetrated in
a civilized community, and that Irishmen,
who are so notorious for their chivalrous
respect for women, should SO forget their
character as to be guilty of such an out
rage, They must have been urged to the
deed by some political fiend, or have been
drunk. 1t is hoped that the murderers
may be found and punished.