The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-06
REMNANTS LAST MOMENTS.



From party of gentlemen just in from
the town Of Lexington, lie Saeur county, |
learn that CHARLES RErNnARr, the man
committed for the murder of Mr.. BoDELf,
some two months since, was ynched and eN-
ecuted by mob, on the day before yester-
day. The particulars as related 10 me by
one of the gentlemen, are as follows;
On Monday last, shortly after noon, mob
of about sixty men, who reported them
selves as belonging to Rice county, and
composed principally of Irish, Germans, aud
halfbreeds, drove into the town of Iexing-
ton, in body, and Immediately sought out
Mr.. KIRKLAND, the Deputy Sheriff Of Le
Sueur county, under whose charge the pris-
oner had been placed for safe keeping. TO
him they stated their intention of lynching
REryuARr, las they stated, to prevent his
escape from justice,) aud demanded the key
to the building in which he was confined.
In this they met with prompt and peremp-
tory refusal from Mr.. X, who Immediately
stat Toned himself in front Of the door OF the
building for its better protection. But the
mob had come for specific purpose, and
having might on their side, were not 10 be
thwarted. Several OF them seized upon Mr..
X, and after fierce and protracted strug-
gle, during which the Sheriff is said to have
defended himself and bis prisoner with great
courage, the key was taken FROM him, while
he was being held upon the ground by force
Of numbers.
During the time that this was going on
outside, the prisoner had learned the cause
of the melee, and what would be his prob
able fate should they succeed inseflecting an
entrance. Since his late attempt to escape
from custody, be had been doubly secured
by a pair Of close-ftting handouts around
his wrists, and band around one of his
ankles. by which he was fastened to the
floor with strong chain, and heavy
wrought iron staple, made of hafinch iron.
Upon hearing the mob approach, he stripped
the manacles over bis hands, taking the
flesh and skin with them, aud then in his
frenzy, and by an exertiou which must have
been almost superhumsn, he tore the staple
in two above where it entered the floor.
Thus in manner freed he took one Of the
legs from of a large stove which stood IN
his room, aud awaited their coming.
The building in which he was confined,
was constructed Of large hcwn logs, firmly
put together. The ceiling was composed OF
the same material, about fcOt through and
placed side by side, close as they could be
laid. Above this, the outside was N rely
boarded up with ordinary lumber, and the
whole covered over with single roofing.
There was bat 9ae door in the building, and
that was situated Immediately in one cor.,er,
while q small opening through the logs,
about two feet long aud foo, wide, with
heavy bars OF iron, running perpendicularly
and sunk in logs in the front, was the only
window
The key once in their possession, the mob
fancied the prisoner on easy victim to their
murderous design. But it appears that in
this they were disappointed for upon open
ing the door, they found RESISTANT standing
by is side, and between il aid the window,
welding tie piece Of iron which he bsd
taken from the stove, and threatening death
TO any one who dared coHe into the room
Ihas he stood ior the pace o! al hour and
half deiyiBg the entire mob, AMI bot a
man u them dared TO enter where he vas
Finding no way by which they could Grip
pie him from the outside, except by insert
ing a lobg sharpenei stick rlantwisc
through the bars Of the small window
by his side, in which manner they snc
cesded in brnisng him considerably, and in-
nic,ed cash OYER biz right eye They
tore Of The boards from one gable Of The
bailding, aud the Single from a port:oc Of
the roof, and with al axe cat through the
logs that separated tie upper from the low
er portion Of The jail, intending doubtless.
TO 50 Grippe kin from him above, that those
be.ow might enter 10y the door ard secure
him. Just as this was accomplished the
prisoner tell down 10 q swOon. ard thu. b.
cane al easy prey. lie Was Immediately
p'aced upon slei md driven come ltre.
q1arters q nile from the jail. ard then
while still 10 4 state Of insersibilitr. one
e5d oftbe rope was placed aJou; hi. neck.
and the other thrown over the lab of a
tree, ard be Wa SWING into the air Through
some ueg'igcuce however, the moose slipped
roand soder b.. cain, s1l be vas cyan vi
down 10 the er1a,i. Having by ,hi4 TIM
revived from hi. swron b. vAs asked 4 BE-