Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-06-04
THREE INNOCENT MEN HUNG AND THE
FOURTH COMPELLED TO CUT HIS
T toAT. REASON: THEY WERE
BLACK MEN. VIVR LA REPUBLIOA
NATIONAL DEMOCRACY.

VAL REASON: THEY WERE
BLACK MEN. VIVE LA RRPUBLIOA
NATIONAL DEMOCRACY.
We take the following from the Louisville
Journal oflhe 18th:
Yesterday afternoon the Arguments of counsel
were concluded in the case Of the three negroes
charged With the murder Of the Joyce family, 10
this county, ssssnl menlAs go. Ju5ge Bullock
then charged the jury, who retired, and in short
time returned With a verdict Of mot guilty" Il
would have been impossible, we are told by Isw.
yers, to render different verdict considering the
nature Of the testimony introduced by the prosecu
ton, which consisted mainly Of the statements Of
one ofthe negroes implicated 10 the crime. Be-
sides Judge Bullock in bis charge declared this sv.
idence TO be entitled to but little IL any credit.
Immediately after the rendition Of the verdict,
the greater portion Ofthe persons in the court room
left and proceeded toward the jail where the ac-
cused were confined. The crowd was somewhat
excited, and manifested desire TO satisfy them
selves with executing summary vengeance upon
the negroes who they conceived we're improperly
acquitted. Arriving in front Of the Jail, they were
met at the gate by the Chief of the Police and
body of bis men, who resisted their attempts to
enter. FOied in their efforts the excited crowd
retired and until night were gathered in the Vi
cinity, but made no further demonstrations. In
the meantime the police force was strengthened,
and arrangements made for the defense Of the Jail
in view Of a contemplated attack. By nightfal
the multitude had greatly swslled in numbers,
and the excitement was manifastly increasing
The majority of the persons present, however, ap-
peared to be merely spectators taking no part in
the disturbance. Appeals were made Of highly
iuaammatory nature, and the indignation of the
people was naturally heightened. Finally des-
perate onslaught was made, the prison fence was
broken, and the large crowd rushed to the door.
Several shots were fired, which the force with
in returned by the discharge of blank cartridges.
This firm resistance further maddened the al.
ready ineuriated mob. A party of men and boys
forced an entrance into the building where the ar
tillery is kept, and procuring cannon, heavily
loaded it with every description of deadly missiles
This was planted within a few feet of the prison
door, which was already battered down, and the
windows broken in. Threats we're made to dis.
charge the cannon into the small antechamber,
where Mr. Thomas, the jailor, and his deputies,
Mayor Pitcher, and about twenty policemen were
stationed.
Further resistance would have been utterly fu-
tile and at the imminent peril of the life of every
one Of the gentlemen who were attempting to de-
fend the prison. 1t would also have resulted in
demolishiag the prison defenses and safeguards
and freed more than fifty prisoners, Under these
circumstances the officials in charge found them.
selves forced to the painful measure of delivering
up the negroes. These officers had during the
evening conducted themselves with much manli-
ness, and for two hours before dark had success
fully kept at bay the attacking mob. Had the
crowd been dispersed when it first assembled and
engaged in disOrderly proceedings, the terrible
tragedy that ensued could have been arrested.
Three of the prisoners being delivered up, "a
zor was given to the fourth in the jail. (Jack, the
property of Mr.. Samuels of Bullitt county,) and
be cut bis throat, severing the jugular vein and
wind-pipe. and producing iustaut death. The
wound was of the most horrible character, and
more ghasty spectacle was scarcely ever witnessed
than the dead body when It was brought to the
view of the crowd. Ropes were obtained, and the
other negroes marched off to the courthouse
square. At the west end, George, the slave of
Mr.. SamuelS, was hung upon tree, amid the
hootings and execrations of the multitude. 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 bis In
nocence, and plead piteously to be released. His
agony Of mind and suferings were very intense
Mr.. Pendleton's Bill, the one who was States
evidence in the case, was the last one executed
We understand that be and one of the Others con-
fesssd their guilt.
Fires were kindled under the suspended bodies,
but they were not consumed. Large numbers Of
persons fingered about this awful tragedy until
late hour. The excitement, in some degree, sub.
sided, and the turbulence gave way to feeling Of
silent horror al the terrible scenes that were wit
messed. The rioters themselves, having wreakOd
their vengeance upol the victims. appeared to be
more awe-stricken than exultant.
Mr.. Kirkpatrck, Chief Ofthe police, took charge
Of the bodies.
Mayor Pitcher attempted to calm The mob, and
was Outrageously assaulted, receiving severe
wound in the face. Officer j. A. Weatherford had
one of bis fingers shot off. We heard of no othe
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