Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-08-17
Mnh Law i'm Missouri.

WI VI 14hC SAs 1LOblS SISSi'N"hf '''''S
from ST. Joseph, Mo-. under date OF June
2s, and after stating that constable ma
med Timmons had been murdered by
party of Iufians. says:
Cllizens collected and arrested Ness.
Ter and Miligan. Linn made his escape.
There was great excitement Hundreds
of persons gathered and vote was taken
whether they should hang them on the
spot. Ii was lost by only three OF four
majority. twas then resolved that they
should be tried in one month, in Gentry
county, and that II they applied for
change Of venue, or 4 continuance, they
should be summariiy executed.
Judge Norlon was sent for and called q
court on Thursday. He ordered the sheriff
TO summon twenty-five select and reliable
men 10 guard the prisoners against vio-'
hence grand jury was empannelled.
and tue bill lound for murder in the
first degree. The prisoners were arrsign-
ed on Friday morning, when they plead
"not guilty" Their counsel requested
until one o'clock 10 determine upon their
course. At tina, hour they asked for a
continuance in kessler's case; and, hav-
ING shown sufficient cause, il was granted.
The Stale lhen continued the case of Mil
Iigan.
When The court adjourned. six or seven
hundred persons left the court house pre-
cipitalely, when some twenty or thirty
who remained, rushed upon the prisoner,
keSsler, and tore him from the hands OF
tie Sheriff. The Sherf's posse, with
Ihe exception Of three or four. deserted
him. Col. John Scott went 10 his assis-
lance, and had almost secured kessler
from further violerce, when the suddenly
augmented mob overpowered him and
bore Kessler away amid the screams and
entreaties Of his wife and three children.
lie was taken lo the edge OF body OF
woods only one hundr d and fifty yards
from the court house, and in foil view OF
the town, and rope was placed around
his neck. A preacher then exhorled and
prayed, and kessIer prayed. lawyer
v as sent for TO write his will, He then
asked permission TO see his wife aud chill
dren and bid them adleu. The handker-
chief which had been .led over his face,
was removed for that last, sacred purpose.
when he was told by an old man that he
had given no such opportunity to Tim.
mons.
MIR. Albn and Mr.. Moihershead Then
made earnest addresses TO The crowc in
favor Of letting the law take lis course,
a, ,,ll nj
marked-"le that sheddeih mans blood,
by man shall his blood be she'd" He
was then placed under The limb over
which the rope was thrown, cne end of
which, tied by haDgman's bnoi, had
been all the while around his neck. Tho
leader gave orders tor him 70 be drawn
up. Three men made an effort, bu,
could not draw him from he ground.
The leader ordered mere men 10 take hold.
They did 90. aud, Wllh lie fret draw,
raised him eighteen inches; aud with tho
second, about three feet when tlC rope
broke. /, appeared, upon cxaoinaiien,
10 have been cut bali IN Two. lie Vas
again placed upon hls feet, the rope "ss
tied, orders were given io,Graw. Tie lea
der look hold of the unfortunate nan and
lifted him up several feet, when, in ils
presence of ten or fifteen hundred people,
many or whom were women. his soul Was
launched into eternity, and has body wss
lelt hanging Tor an honr. -
The poor victim exbibied great corr
age throughout. y asa,d bic eounreI 10
apply for continuance because he wogld
rather be hang by the mob Ihan 90 into
trial unprepared, and have verdict re-
corded against him. WHICH weuld dishoa.
or his vile and children.
Jim MIiligan was permitted 10 lire for
the present, as tie State continued his
case. Il was suspected of having shot
the Sheriff soms time ago, aud many per-
sons say bis exaeGi,0s @oalJ have becn
more exeussble isaH tiiss of kessIsr-
The hanging Of kessIeF ya1 terrible
murder. He declared to the issi ibst bs
was not guilty. tie said he had been oT-
dered by the constable pso TEN to saks
shat place wish his gan. ssd 10 stop T'n-
mons; ibs, be hahsd JnsmDns, wien
Timmon5 dirv his gun upon byn and
vas 25Oos IS 6se, wh<a re, being ready.
sh5l arsl; and ihstlhe Killing wss in ex-
sculion 6l duty and in selEdsience-
Hesslar bad s'ool bigh 80 . citizen n
Gently; BAT TiamoHs was very popnlsf.
~ IS GeslFy has been considerably in-
zsied via outlaws and GErjegers. and
he people are determined so pat stop To
'aca things in summary way apossibie-
When is tired man Ike thief, uhen
ie needs Gresling. sf