Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1857-12-19
For the Herald.
For the Herald.
Mobocracy Relieved i'm NoWa.
MADISON, JONES Co, Iowa,
Dec. 18th. 1857.

HO"A1
Dee. 9Th, 1857.
Mr.. EDIroR:-Having been a citizen Of
Grant and Crawford Counties for the last
two years,and for some time a subscriber
Of your valuable paper, is the only excuse
| shall offer for writing to you at tlis time
Last Friday. Dec. 4th, there was trans
acted a scene in this county, that will com
ment upon itself; some of the details OF
which will give you as | have been able
to gather them from reliable sources |
think.
About Z miles from here, near the town
Of Rome III this county, there was living a
man by the nafne of HIRAM ROBERTS who
has long been suspected of being connec-
ted with a band of Horse Thieves and
Counterfeiters. On Friday, he was at
one of his neighbors, when about sixty men
came to the door and inquired for him
Roberts, of the man of the house, who
told him that some men wanted to see
him. He then went to the door and o.
pened it, and Immediately closed it again,
to his companion, SIT is a mob; |
ion't know what they want with me."-
He told his friend that he was armed and
asked if he should s. offend himself" bis
friend told him to do as he was a mind 10.
He then asked the mob what they wan
ted.
They told him they wanted to see Rob
erts. Roberts told them that if they war
ted see him they might come in two at a
time, which they did until twelve had
come in.
They told him they suspected him Of
horse stealing and countorfeiting, and
wanted to take him to Anamosa,the coun-
ty seat, whore he shorid receive a fair tri-
al. He then gave up his arms and went
with them about two and a half miles,
where they stopped; had q mock trial,and
condemned him TO die, and forthwith pro-
.ceeded to pat the rope about his neck
At which time he begged them to let him
have tive hours to live, that he might have
time to see his brother, AMI arrange his
business for the benefit Of his wife and
children.
Some Of the mob or vigilance commit
tee as they styled themselves, were in IA
vor Of giving him time, but the mnt Of
them were against it, ani proceeded 20
hang him until he was dead; they then
-ook him down, took him ITO the woods
and hung him up again to the Ii 40 q a
tre'. where he hung until Sun lay, whei,
he was found b. his friends. Yesterday,
Monday the 9Th, the Coroner went to
make an examination; anl if the Official
Report should differ in any parti cu!ars ma
t@erially, will write 0 again soon.
The Information in reg4rl to the action
of the Com. OF the mob,as you may choose
to cali it, was given BY a member who was
in favor Of giving Roberts time to see his
brother, and Withdrew because they VOID
not do 50.
My God hasten the time when anar-
chy aud confusion shall cease. When
Right and not Might shall become Law.
| have nothing more in particular to write
except Hard Times in regard to money,
ana easy times in regard to everything
else. The price of wheat is 40 to 45c;
corn Csc. and potatoes the same; beef 81
to S. per cwt.; pork So.
take pleasure in greeting all my old
acquaintences through the columns Of your
paper & shall be glad to hear from any of
them at any time, and will che%erfully give
hem any information in my power, in
regard TO this section of Iowa.
Your respectfully,
B. +. SHAW.