New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-05-22
Terricle Tragedy In Louisville.

From the Louisville Journal, of the 10th, we ex-
tract the following particulars of the ynching of the
negroes charged with the murder of the joyce family
at Briar creek:
Yesterday afternoon the arguments Of counsel were
concluded in the of the three negroes charged
with the murder of the Joyce family, in this county
several months ago Judge Bullock then charged
the jury, who retired, and in short time returned
with verdict of s. not guilty" 1t would have been
impossible, told by lawyers to render differ
ent verdict considering the nature of the testimony
introduced by the prosecution, which consisted mainly
of the statements of of the negroes implicated in
the crime. Besides, Judge Bullock, in his charge
declared this evidence to be entitled to but little if any
credit.
Immediately after the rendition of the verdict. the
greater portion of the persons in the courtroom left
and proceeded toward the Jail where the accused
were confined. The crowd was somewhat excited,
and manifested a desire to satisfy themselves with
executing summary vengeance upon the negroes,
who they conceived were improperly acquitted Ar
irving in front of the Jail they met at the gate
by the chief Of police and body of his men, who
resisted their attempts to enter Fooled in their
efforts the excited crowd retired, and until night
were gathered in the vicinity, but made no further
demonstrations. In the meantime the police force
strengthened and arrangements made for the de-
lense Of the Jail, in view OF contemplated attack.
By nighttall the multitude had greatly sweled in
numbers and the excitement was manitestly inereaS
ing. The majority of the persons present. however,
appeared to be merely spectators, taking part in
the disturbance. Appeals were made of highly in
tamnlatory nature, and the indignation of the people
was naturally heightened. Finally q desperate on
slaught was made, the prison fence was broken and
the large crowd rushed to the door. Several shots
fired, and the force within returned the dis
charge with blank cartridges. This firm resistance
further maddened the already inturiated mob. A
party of men and boys forced an entrance into the
building where the artillery is kept and, procuring
cannon, heavily loaded it with every description of
deadly missiles. This was planted within few feet
of the prison door, which already battered down
and the windows broken n Threats made to
discharge the cannon into the small antechamber
where Mr.. Thomas, the jailor, and deputies, Mayor
Pitcher and about twenty policemen, were stationed.
Three of the prisoners being delivered up, razor
given to the fourth in the Jail (Jack the property
of Mr.. Samuels, of Bullitt county, and he cut his
throat, seyerng the jugular vein and windpipe and
producing instant DEATH The wound was of the
most horrible character, and more ghastly specta-
Gle was scarcely ever witnessed than the dead body
when it brought to the yard and exposed to the
view Of the crowd. Ropes obtained, and the
other negroes marched off to the courthouse square,
At the west end George, the slave of Mr. Samuels
was hung upon a tree, amid the hootings and eX
ecratons 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 his innocence, and plead pite
ously to be released. His agony of mind and suffer-
,ings were very intense. Mr.. Pendetons Bill, the
who was the States evidence in the case, was the
last one executed We understand that he and one
OF the Others confessed their guilt.
Fires were kinded under the suspended bodies, but
they were not consumed. Large Numbers of persons
fingered about the scene of this awful tragedy until
late hour, aud it the universal topic of CONVEX
siton. The excitement in some degree subsidized and
the turbulence gave way to feeling of silent horror
at the terrible scenes that We're witnessed. The
rioters themselves having wreaked their vengeance
upon the victims, appeared to be more awestricken
than eXutant.
Mr. Kirkpatrick chief of the police, took charge OF
the bodies.
Mayor Pitcher attempted to calm the mob, and was
outrageousy assaulted, receiving severe wound il
the face. Officer J. A. Weatheriord had one of his
fingers shot off. We heard Of other persons being
injured, though there were rumors to that effect.