Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-05-21
Terrible Tragedy Negroes Executed by a
tHA Mob
tRr0m the L0uiaYnle Journal. friday, 15thl

der OF the Joyce 1anlly, III tills county,
several months ago. Judge Bullock
then charged the jury, who retired and
in short time returned with a verdict
of'eNot guilty" 1t would have been
impossible, we are told by lawyers, to
render different verdict considering
the nature of the testimony introduced
by the prosecution, which consisted
mainly of the statements of one of the
negroes implicated in the crime. Be-
sides, Judge Bullock in his charge de-
clared this evidence to be entitledto but
little, If any credit.
Immediately after the rendition ofthe
verdict thegreater portion of thepersons
in'the court room left and proceeded
toward the jail where the accused were
confined. The crowd was somewhat
excited, and manifested desire to sat
isfy themselves with executing summary
vengeance upon the negroes who they
conceived were. improperly acquitted.
Arriving in front Of the jail, they were
met at the gate by the Chief OF
the Police and body of his men, who
resisted their attempt to enter. Fooled
in their efforts, the excited crowd retired,
and until night were gathered in the
vicinity, butmade no further demonstra-
tons. In the meantime the police force
was strengthened, and arrangements
made for the defense of the jail in view
of contemplated attack. By nightfall
the multitude had greatly swelledinnm-
bers, and the excitement was manifestly
increasing. The majority of the persons
present, however, appeared to be merely
spectators, taking no part in the distur-
bance. Appeals were made of highly
infammatory nature and theindignation
of the people was naturally heightened.
Finally desperate onslaug htwasmade,
the prison fence was broken, and the
large crowd rushed to the door. Several
shots were fired, and the force within
returned by the discharge of blank car.
tridges. This firm resistance further
maddened the already Infatuated mob
A party of men and boys forced an en-
trance into the building where the artil
lery is kept, and procuring a cannon
heavily loaded it with every description
of deadly missiles. This was planted
within few feet of the prison door
which was already battered down, anG
the windows broken in. Threats were
made to discharge the cannon into the
small ante-chamber where Mr.. Thomas
the jailor, and his deputies, Mayor Pill
cher, and about twenty policemen, were
stationed
Further resistance would have been
atterly futile; and at the imminent perl
of the life of every one ofthe gentlemen
who were attempting to defend thepris
on. 1t would also have resulted in de-
molishing the prison defences and safe
guards, and freed more than fifty pris-
oners. Under these circumstances, the
ot1icialsm charge undthemselvesfo forced
to the painful measure of delivering up
the negroes. These officers had during
the evening conducted themselves with
much manliness, and for two hours be-
fore dark had successfully kept at bay
the attacking mob. Had the crowd been
dispersed when it first assembled and
engaged in disorderly proceedings, the
terrible tragedy shat ensued could have
been arrested.
Three of the prisoners being delivered
up, razor was given the fourth in the
jail, Jack, the property Of Mr. Samuels,
of Bullitt county,) and he cut his throat,
seyering the jugular vein and wind-pipe
and producing instant death. The
wound was of the mosthorrible chracter
andamore CHASTITY spectacle was scarcely
ever 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 march
ed off to the Court House square. AT
the west end George, the slave of Mr..
Samuols, was hung upon tree, amid
the hOotings and execrations of the null
titudc The othertWo 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 sufferings
was intense. Nr. Pendleton's Bill, the
one who was the States evidencein the
case, was the last one executed. We
understand that he and one ofthe others
confessed their guilt.
Fires were kindled under the suspen-
dcd bodies, but they werenot consumed.
Large numbers of persons fingered
around the scene of this awful tragedy
until a late hour, and it was the univcr-
sal topic of conversation. The excite
ment in some degree subsidized, and the
turbulence gave way to feeling of ST.
lent horror ut the terrible scenes that
were witnessed. The rioters themselves
having wreaked their vengeance upon
the victims, appeared to be more awe
stricken than cxultant.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, Chief of the police,
took charge of the bodies.
Mayor Pitcher attempted to calm the
the mob, and was outrageously assaulted
receiving a severe wound in the face.
Officer J. \. Weatherford had one of
his fingers shot Oft We heard of no
other persons being injured, though
there were rumors to that effect.
We hardly need say that we regard
this proceeding as one of the most de-
plorahle in all the history of Lor; ,,.;,,o
We presume the negroes, - 81 ioas,
portion ofthem, were ,,.,. , ~ go. ~,
was no legitimate ~ f;n . L"; ', no,,
yiction, and = Sou1';9 iol e,.lrr ,,
the vir1' ne J"t! i1O'l l pm IL
f. act OF acQulltal was Iellih. Aao''
.. its intelligence and responsibility
Under these circumstances the violen
uprising of the mob against the ciYi
authorities and theputtingofthe
to death, was an outrage which canno
be too severely condemned. 1t has don
an injury to the good name of our city
which wears can hardly wipe out. 1t ha
n,usaa q feelino of deep grief and pOie
nant regret in the breast of every GOO
and calmly-refecting citizen. Some ma
think that the lives of four persons ar