Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-05-27
LYNCH LAW IN KENTUCKY.


LYNCH Law IN KENTUCKY.
The trial of the -four. negroes, accused Of
numbering the Joyce family, came off in Lou
isville, Kentucky, on the l4th. One of the
negroes turned States evidence, but bis testi-
mony failed in its illegality, and the prisoners
were acquitted. The result occasionod great
excitement, and attempts were made during
the afternoon to get the negroes out of the
hands of the officers. About dark crowd
seized cannon and placed it in front of the
Jail, from which a number of shots were fired
and returned by the mob, who also attacked
the Jail with bricks and other missiles The
jailor and others who we're defending the pris-
oners, finding that further resistance would
endanger theit lives, as well as free more than
fifty prisoners, finally delivered up the negroes
Three Of the prisonees being delivered up, a
razor was given to the fourth in jail, (Jack,
the property of Mr.. Samuels, Of Bullitt coun-
ty.) and he cut his throat, severing the jugular
vein and windpipe and producing instant death.
The wound was of the most horrible character,
and a more CHASTITY spectacle scarcely ev-
er witnessed than the dead body, when it was
brought to the yard and exposed to the view
of the crowd. Ropes were obtained and the
other negroes were marched Off to the court
house square. AT the west end, George, the
slave of Mr.. Samuels, was hung upon a tree, a.
mid the hootings and execrations of the multi
tude. The other two were then marched
through the square, and near Fifth street,
were likewise executed. One of them, the
slave of Mr.. Brown, protested his innocence.
and plead piteously to be released. His agony
of mind and sufierings were very intense
Mr.. Pcndleton's Bill, the one who was the
States evidence in the case, was the last one
executed. We understand that be and one OF
the others confessed their guilt. Fires were
kindled under the suspended bodies, but they
were moi consumed. Large numbers of persons
fingered about the scene OF this awful tragedy
until a late hour. The excitement, in some
degree, subsidized, and the turbulence gave wav
TO feeling OF silent horror at the terrible
scenes that were witnessed. The rioters, them
selves, having wreaked their vengeance upon
the victims, appeared TO be more awe stricken
than exultant. Mayor Pitcher attempted ia
calm the mob, and was outrageously assaulted,
receiving severe wound in the face. Officer
J. A. Weatherford had one of his fingers shot
off. We heard OF no other persons being injur-
cd. though there were rumors to that effect.
The Louisville Journal of the 18th saws =
We hardly need say that we regard this pro-
ceeding as one of the most deplorable in all
the history of Louisville. We presume the
negroes, or at least portion of them, were
guilty but there were no legitimate grounds
for their conviction, and the jury which pro-
nounced the verdict of acquittal was remsrka-
BILE for its intelligence and Responsibility. Un-
der these circumstances the violent uprising Of
the mob against the civil authorities and put
ting of the negroes TO death, was an outrage
which cannot be too severely condemned. Il
has done an injury to the good name ofOur city
which years can hardly wipe out. II has eau
sed a feeling ofdeep grief and poignant regret
in the breast of every good and caim reflect
ing citizen. Some may think that the lives Of
four persons are a matter of little consequence;
but the law has been put to death, and that ;
matter of momentous consequence. Good
men have been zealously laboring to re estab-
lish the prosperity of Louisville by rc-estab-
fishing her character for law and order but by
the violence of a mob the results OF their labor,
have been swept away in single night as by
whirlwind. These are some of the horrid
fruits of the bitter seed that was planted three
years ago. 1t is a sad thing to have to state,
that in the midst of mob, there were scores
OF boys, some of them scarcely ten years ofage
all shouting "hang 'em ~ with fury not sur
passed by that OF their elders. Such an cxhi-
bition of bloodthirsty rage on the part of nero
children, is indeed shocking TO contemplate.
1t is deplorable augury for the rising gencr.
alton.