The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-08
Observation-Disclosures IN MISSISSIPPI

A correspondent of the Memphis Appeal,
writing from Oxford, Miss, on the Eth inst,
gives the following account of the manner in
which an Abolitionist was lynched:
81 On Friday night last, a msn by the name Of
Snyder was brought here under arrest, charged
with organizing an instruction among the ne
groes in the neighborhood of Abbeyville, and
was tried before the committing court the next
day, and discharged. But before be had time
10 get out of the courthouse, a meeting of the
citizens was called. Mr.. Yancy Wiley was
called TO the chair, and made some inquiring
remarks, which were answered by several of
our Influential citizens, some what recommend
ing mob law, which was received with applause !;
but this was cooled down by occasional speech.
rs from those opposed TO it. After celebrating
some two hours, the prisoner agreed to re-
main in jail one month, TO enable him to pro-
cnre evidence OF his innocence, which was put
20 n vote Of the house, and rejected after
which, . committee of five was appointed to
dispose of the matter. They agreed to accept
has proposition, lone months imprisonment
and the meeting adjourned. He 1.-THE prisoner)
left the house for the jail under care of two
oonstables, but on arriving at the gate he was
pushed back, when the officers had to release
their hold, which was Immediately taken hy
two Of the crowd. They proceeded to the end
house.
When they were about one hundred yards
out of the corporation, they left the road about
quarter Of a mile, aud stopped. The man
(Suyder) was asked to strip himself, which he
did without a word. he was thsn asked to &C.
knowledge the crime he was charged With. To
this he said he had none to make; that he was
innocent, &c. After keeping him naked near
an hour, and consulting, II was proposed to let
him have what he chose, and he was carried
hack TO the jail. Awhile after supper he was
demanded OF the jaor, who refused to let him
out, but, upon persuading and expisnation on
the part the people, he (the jailor) agreed to
turn the prisoner out, not having any legal pro-
cess to- iInprison HIN, which was DONE He was
taken bslfmile from town by picked crowd,
who were watched closely by outsiders After
reaaining in the woods about an hour and a
half the crowd (whO were scattered around as
sentinels) met at fence where the prisoner
was He was again told to strip, which he pro-
ceeded to do without molestation but when he
was drawing his shirt, it was caught and fast
enad around his neck with the sleeves for a
bIiudfold. A rope was then put around his
neck 10 frighten him, but it had not its desired
effect He was allowed to stand in that posi-
ton about fifteen minutes, when he was car
ried 70 the bottom of the hollow nearest 70
where they were, and teo around tree. lie
WA told what was their intention to lynch hin
until he told something. The flashing vas com
menced by two, who used straps fastened iC
sticks about ten inches long. After he hec
taken one hundred and sixty seven lashes, hs
began to know something about it. but moi
enough to satisfy the lynchers; so they com
menced again with two other lynchers, and
when the number had reached two hundred
and thirty eight lashes, he told the whole tale
which was this: He was to raise company OF
some dozen blacks, who were to be furnished
with arms (k1ives and pistols) by him, and GO
10 the houses of some of the wealthiest fami
lies, and get their money by frightening them
If they failed in this way, they were to kill the
men aud take it, when they were to get on the
cars for Memphis, and then up the riysr TO In
diana. They were 10 take two white ladies
with them, for wives. He implicated another
man. who was then in Indiana.) There was no
testimony against him except his confession
and that of the blacks. So he was shipped on the
ears yesterday morning for the junction, where
he was to start to his home in Indiana. have
learned to-day that he was taken from the cars
at Holly Springs, and confined in jail. / sup
lose We shall hear more from him when the
cars arrive here to-day. D. 2. NJ.