Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-01-29
Burning a Negro at the Stake.

fuHUuHH IH6eotfS "'''1"'"''
We have already published two imperfect
accounts of the following Lynch law scene
in kentucky, but nothing so minute as
The extract we append, from letter to the
MaysvilIe Eagle, written by an eye wit
ness. The writer says -
"On New Years day, The annual negro
sales took place at Troy, the county seat,
and there was quite a collection Of people
there everything wen. on smoothly until
about o'clock in the evening, when Mr..
James Galloway, brother-in-law OF the
deceased, mounted upon all old goods-box
before store d or, and addressed the
people for about fifteen minutes. He
said if the mass of the people felt as he
did, and would do their duty. which he
believed they would. that they would take
the black murderer out of Jail and burn
hlm at The stake in the presence OF all the
negroes that were there, 10 sci an exam
pie before them, and show them what will
be The result of all snch conduct if there
should ever be such again. Then he cIo-
sed by saying, "AlI that feel as | do, will
follow me-" He then iesped from the
stand and there was general shout CIV
en-, and he led the way to the Jail, and
niue enlhs of the multitude following.
On arriving at the Jail, they found the
Sheriff and Tailor, who did all they could
to suppress the mob, but all to no purpose.
They now mustered some 500 or 1000
strong. They then commenced with
sledge hammers, crowbars and axes. and
in about an hour entered the Jail and
brought forward their victim, (he negro
murderer.) They marched him to the
centre of the Jail yard, drove down large
stake and chained him, in an erect posi-
ton, hand and feet fast TO the stake.
There was an abundance Of shayings and
fine split wood piled around him, this
consumed some half hour. During this
time the negro talked to the negroes that
gathered round him. He told them that
he had good master, and that he was al
ways treated too well and gave him too
many liberties, and for them TO take warn.
ine in time, and never do as he had done.
Then the torch was applied, and he seem
ed to be entirely Indifferent ABOUT 1t until
the flames began to burn as high as his
knees. Then he began to twist and snort
and groan, and in about minute more he
commenced TO scream. He gave some OF
the most hideous screams that ever
heard come from any human being.
could not stand to see any more and |
left. When left, the flames were bur
ming as high as his head. was onl y a
spectator, took no hand either for or
against. think there were some 1900
to 1000 people to witness this dreadful
scene, 200 or 800 negroes.
The DIFFICULTY BETWEEN FITcH AND
DouGLAs-No E9M.-Washing,on was
full of rumors Sunday and yesterday Of
pending hoslililies between Fitch and
Douglas. All, however, was bat idle
talk. Notes passed, 1t is tue, between
them, with view to explanations and
re,racions or a hostile meeting. but the
whole matter is in the hands Of mutual
friends, and in fair way OF amicabIe ID.
juslmeni.
The first note was from Douglas 10
Fitch, demanding retraclion Of Fnch's
charges Of falsehood.
The second note is from Fitch, which
specifies the charges, and inquiries if he
refers to these. If so, Fitch, reiterates
them.
Douglas replies with detailed letter,
explaining and modifying his language,
giving it a construction much less often
sve than as originally understood.
Fitch rejoins amicably. and his note
will probably settle the affair.
The correspondence makes no sllusion
whatever to Filch's declaration that Doug
las had failed to prove the charges against
Cook, to which he had pledged his hon
or.
The tranac,ions is looked upon by
Douglas wisest friends as indicative OF
the fixed purpose of the Administration
men to force them 10 take back seat II
he comes into The Democratic organza-
ton at all, and that they prefer to push
him off altogether. 1t is stated that an
early opportunity will be taken in open
session to make an issue with Doug as in
reference to his statements about indlvld'
ual Illinois appointments and TO present
proofs of their inaccuracy. The war OF
the roses is evidently just beginning.
RBTRENCHMENT.-Th Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company is still engaged
in the effort TO reduce the number of hands
in It's service here and elsewhere. Some