Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-07-21
0nr Scrip. 8uok
Outlaws and Lynch Law in Illinois.

The Du Quoin (Ill.) Journal of the 18th
inst. gives a circumstantia account of
some rather desperate doings at Sparta.
in Randolph County. Ill, on the 5th inst
1t seems that a desparado named Graham,
who. with three or four associates, had
set all law and gospel at defiance for a
long time, was ordered by a9Vigilance
Committee of Sparta to leave the town
within a certain number of hours, or re
main at his peril. He swore he would
not go, saying that he would die first
The Committee and citizens, finding that
Graham did not leave at the time APP
pointed, marched in a body, numbering
at least one hundred persons for the pur
pose of enforcing their decision. He re-
marked when they approached. There's
a pretty good crowd of YOU" He was
then informed of their business, and i'm
mediately repeated, with the addition OF
fearful oaths, the same words he said
when first notified to leave, and at the
same time he drew a revolver, and fred
two shots at those persons nearest him,
but without effect. This was the signal
for the citizens to FIRE, and instantly
twelve or fifteen guns and pistols we're
discharged at him. He fell to the ground.
and died upon the spot. He received
four wounds. three Of which were of a
frightful character.
At the time Graham was shot, one OF
his associates, named Bevel, from the
neighborhood of St. Mary's, Mo-, was
standing near with a Ratchet in his hand.
When Graham fell, however, Beyel turn.
ed and fed, and several shots were fired
at him by the excited citizens, none OF
which took effect. -Four or FIVE persons
met him, however, and while one held a
revolver to his breast another knocked
him down, and heswas secured. Hutch
ings. the man who accompanied Graham
and Chester, was standing a short dis
lance from the scene Of shooting, and
when he saw his late comrade fall, he
tried to escape, but was overtaken by
some of the citizens. We believe one or
two more of the confederates of Graham
were secured, but did not learn their
names. Bowel and Hutchings were then
taken to the room of the Vigilance Com.
mittee, where they were guarded until
near II o'clock at night, when those who
were watching the prisoners were reliev-
ed by a fresh guard. In a short time af.
ter, BeVel and Hutchings were taken to
the woods adjoiaing the town, where a
rope was fastened around the formers
neck, and he was swung to the limb Of a
tree until nearly s~uffocated, when he was
lowered, and thinking that his time on
earth was about ended, he made such rev.
Citations as induced the Committee to
place him in the hands ofjastice. Hutch.
lngs was next strung up until life was
nearly extinct, and in a moment after be-
ing let down, he commenced cursing those
who had him in charge at a round rate,
and said that no revelations could be got
from him. He was hauled up by the neck
a second time until black in the face, but
with like result. Finding that nothing
could be gained by swinging him to the
tree, it was resolved that he should be
severely whipped. He was accordingly
bound to a tree, and whipped numerically
oyer the back: but he was also proof to
this mode OF persuasion, all the While
cursing his captors in no very becoming
manner. Finding that Hutchings was a
plucky individual, the Committee deter
mined to hold him until morning, when
one or two Of the citizens should escort
him out of town several miles. This was,
accordingly done, and the late prisoner
made good use of his legs; for he took
supper in Du Quoin the same evening,
Wednesday, and walked north OH the
railroad track.