Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-05-11
An gntertsting stotg
Heroic Conduct of Missouri Girl.
Charlcston, S. C.

The Sunday Times has lately given q sort
of romantic history of an event which occur
red in Southwestern Missouri not many years
ago. The facts are CLEANED from rep-rt of
the trial of Mary Silmore for murder. The
writer of the article says that he was himself
counsel for the heroine, on her trial, and the
principal events related are on record in the
archives of the Circuit Court Of Jasper Coun-
ty, Missouri.
On the 9TH of July, 1910, the lynchcrs
of Jasper were all in motion. The captain
Of tho band had made a reqisition for their
whole force, and, accordingly, full two hun
dred, completely armed and equipped, assem-
bled at the court house as the point of Ge-
parture on their desperate expedition. They
were all we'll dressed, mounted on strong,
serviceabIe horses. and might be termed a
respectable looking set of men for the back
woods. Their captain, John Mays, in par
ticular, was splendid fellow, at least in
physical appearance. Tall, graceful and COM
mauding, be was fitted to adorn the drawing
room as we'll as the battle field. One Of those
changeable beings so numerous in the far
west, where any profession may be assumed
at will without preliminary training. He
uau UeGl lCSG UCC uuutCly IuSl q ~hCiaOdiot
preacher, then doctor, then lawyer. lie
lie was now "a fighter" and, on account of
his astonishing proves in this new occupa-
ton, had recently been elected to the cap.
taincy of the lynchers, in the place of pre-
decessor killed.
The company left the court house, which,
on the frontier, is the public hall for all sorts
of meetings, and set out on their campaign
at ten o'clock in the morning. 1t was fine
sight to see them skimming away over the
green sward of the level prairie, their hunt
ing shirt, streaming in the wind, and their
guns glittering in the sunshine. Many spec
tators collected to celebrate the glorious day,
witnessed their departure, and many predict
ed that they would not return as they went
As for the lynchers themselves, they seemed
to labor under no gloomy apprehensions, as
the following conversation (sworn to after
wards in open court) will show:
Tom Barker.-Well, captain, do you think
old Silmore will stand up to the sticking
point this bout2
Captain.-No, by j and General jack
SON! ellis favorite oath.) Have we not
whipped him three times already, until there
is not an inch of his hide, from the neck to
the hills, that does not bear the deep scars
for our hickories2
Barker.-Very true, captain; but then
they say that hc now keeps twelve loaded
guns, and as many pistols, always by his head,
and swears he will never he taken any more
alive.
Csptain.-I don't care if he had fifty can
nons The old rogue is coward, and COW.
ard would not fight if he could be armed
with thunder.
Barker.-Yes but they also say that pret
ty Mary, his younger daughter, has been
prscticing lately, and can shoot nearly as we'll
a. her father. May be she will take 1t into
her head to give pop of powder and lead.
At this singular intelligence Captain Mays
turned pale, and drawing a long breath which
sounded very similar to love Sigh, answered
in softer and sadder tone-"What pity
that such a beautiful creature as Mary should
be the child Of thief and counterfeiter."
Barker with smile. III am told that
she used to be your sweetheart.
Captsin.-I loved her as my own soul, and
am satisfied that she loved me until joined
the lynchers, and then she never would speak
to me again. But that must have been the
work of her Internal father, and iii have his
scalp for it yet.
Barker.-They say that she can cut off the
head of hawk with pistol at ten PAGES.
Captain.-That may all be as they say,
but yet sue will never do harm to any hui
man being. She ia the most tenderhearted
woman God ever created. l wish you could
have seen her weep at the death Of her little
spotted fawn, toru to pieces by the dogs,
through mistake.
Barker.-That's no sign. Parson Brady.
you remember, cried one day over his dead
horse, and the next day killed Jack Coulter
for calling him "Oll Snuffler." Tears arc as
great humbug as smiles, and I wouldn't
trust either farther than | could throw
blacksmith's antil. But tell me, captain,
what shall we do with Silmore if VIC catch
him this time? We have ordered him Oft
and he won't go; We have whipped him till
he has no skin on his back, and yet he budges
not. What are we to do?
Captain.-Hang him to limb of the mag
nolia in his own yard.
While the lynchers were on their way, let
Us anticipate their goal, and view the position
Of their enemy.
Immediately on the Southern bank Of
Spring River, emboxered in the shade OF
eluup Of grand magnoiiss-ths only speck
Of timber Iisshae 10 Largo Prssie-mlsht be