Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1859-05-28
most Deplorable Condition Of Piket Peak En-.
icrants
CANNIBALfsMl

ST. LouIs, May "a The regular CORES.
pondent of the Democrat, writing from Denver
tity on the 9th inst, recounts the most
deplorable condition OF affairs on the plains.
Many Of the emigrants arc dying from
starvation, while the Others are Subssting on
prcky pears and Wild onions found along the
road.
The stage agent reports picking up man
named Blue, who was reduced to skeleton
from starvation. On recovering, he gave q
most lamentable account OF bis adventures
He started, in company with two of his broth.
ers, for the mines. One Of them died on the
road, and the remaining two were SO far
bordering on state OF starvation that then
ate his body. Another died, and be- in turn,
WAS nearly devoured by the survivor.
a man named Gibbs had reached the mines
In q starving condition, and expressed the
opinion that bis party, nine 10 number, had oil
peTisbed.
Many graves wers seen along the route.
Much property has been destroyed or aban-
doned on the road.
The writer orths letter before referred to
Gays the number Of departures from the mines
is about equal TO the arrivals.
About Eve hundred of the returning emf
grants reached st. Joseph on Saturday, all Of
whom confirm the previous accounts Of the
suflsrings and privatons Of the plains.
LyScu LAW IN ILlISoIs-A MAN AND HIS
WIFE HuNG -Keihsburg, Mercer Co., Ill.,,
Nag 9th.--A DAY or two since our usually
quiet community was thrown into high state
of excitement by an occurrence which have
thought may be worthy Of recital in your
paper. 1t seems that some few days ago a
man and his wife, by the name Of Bell, were
t1l Il NH I'D LafN m
O charge Of stealing $50. Nothing conclu.
sive was proved against them, but they were
still held in custody for some reason which
have not as yet learned, and as they manifes-
ted no desire TO escape. they we're kept
In the house Of Justice Dilley.
On Wednesday night May 4, when no one
was dreaming Of danger, number Of men in
disguise broke into the house OF which they
were staying and after fastening the Justice
In his room to prevent his interference, they
proceeded to take possession OF the prisoners
TIE man fought like tiger, but was soon
rverpowered, and both we're carried of into
tho woods. They were told that if they
would not confess the theft and give up the
money they would be immediately hung AS
neither one would acknowledge anything, they
at once proceeded to accomplish their tendish
purposes. The man was first hung up and
kept theirs until he was entirely unconscious
and them with refinement Of cruelty which
could only be looked for 10 the most hardened
brutes, he was taken down and buried 10 q
shallow hole, which was dug for the purpose
TO make his wife believe that he was dead, il
hope OF frigtening her into confession -
Bn. the woman was plucky, and would give
tasm no satisfaction.
She was accordingly swung up by the same
rope used on her husband, and was let hang
I'll! life was nearly extinct. In the mean timt
the man was taken from his grave, and The
lynchers finding that nothing was TO be got
ont Of them, after some difficulty resusciatet
them, and left them to get home as best they
could. This diabolical proceeding has ava
kesed the deepest indignation in the commu
nifty. and should the sufferers be able, as they
say they are, to identify any of their psrsecu
tors, no pahs will be spared to bring them tC
justice. No arrests had been made up Il
yesterday but preparations we're being mad'
for the apprehension, Of three or four ofthos'
coacerned.
As had the particulars from one OF th,
individuals who had charge of the prisoners
you may rely on their correctness.-C Caica9
Prsss and Tribune.