Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-10-08
From the Lcgansport Journall
Schuyler Colfax Mobbed by the Old
Liners-Two Men Killed
Men and Hnrsas. Knnnked nnun

lrrOm the LcganspOt JournAl.I
Schuyler COlfax Mobbed by the Old
Liners-Two Men Killed-Women,
Men, and Horses, Knocked Down
From a reliable correspondent we have
received an account of the riot at Boir-
bon, Marshall 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 a banner representing
a buck on his last leg. Threats we've
made against the wagon before it reached
the ground, and, during the speaking,
thirty lrishmen, who were employed
upon the railroad. prepared hickory
clubs, and as the wagon passed a gro.
Gerry at the opposite end of the town, il
was attacked by these rlen, who knocked
down the horses, and commenced an
indiscr;minate 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 a scene
which drove in terror the multitude.
which was largely made up of women.
Men e~ndeayored 10 save their own fami
lies, and there was no tine 10 assist the
unfortunate wagon load, which was soon
oYerpowered by the Infatuated brutes,
who forgot TO discriminate between wo-
men 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 ia the wagon were
seriously bruised and injured, and were
only saved from death by the attention
Of the mob being attracted 10 another
object.
In the wagon was the wife of a Mr..
Lahel, a citizen of Kosciusco county,
who, hearing of the danger of his wife,
rode back TO protect her. On approach
ing 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
family, with hims-lf had been Witnesses
OF the terrible scene at the wagon. Mr..
Leffel was pursued by the mob, who
picked up axes as. they went, broke in
the door and a window, and brutally
murdered him in the presence of the ter
rifed family. His body was horribly
margled, his legs and head being nearly
cut TO pieces.
Mr.. Collax had been TO supper, q third
of a mile from the scene of these trans
actions, and in a short time after passed
the grocery where were congregated the
assailants of the wagon. They assaulted
his horse with clubs, and nearly knocked
it down, and threatened the life Of Mr..
Colfax. He was able 10 keep his horse
in motion, and escaped. The mob club
bed a man riding IA short distance behind
him, and threatened the lie of Capt.
Sterling, who had recently become Il
Republican, and also beat a young man
named Samuel Disher. They took com
plete possession of the town, while the
people, anxious for the safety Of the wo
men. fed in confusion.
Mr.. Leffel was a prominent member
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He
was a mild and inoffensive man, and
universally beloved.
All parties agree that there was no
provocation for this murderous affair. and
the assailants are universally condemned,
particularly by the Democrats who wit
messed il. 1t is hard TO realize the fact
that SO wanton an outrage could be per-
petrated in a civilized community, and
that Irishmen, who are SO notorious for
their c~Livalrous respect for women, should
SO far forget their character as to be
guilty of such an outrage They must
have been urged TO the deed by some
political fiend, or have been drunk. 1t
is hoped that the m~urderers may be
found and punished.