The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-08-23
Shameful Outrage in Texas.

IA 4OAdo'
\ The Republic of Texas" was original
ly settled in good degree by fugitive.
from justice end absconding Debtors
And there is still good deal of the old
leaven left in that community, making il
dangerous to attempt the collection of an
old debt. The prejudice existing in Tex
as against anti-slavery meu, affords q
ready means for scoundrels to avail them
selves of when they wish to cover up
their own fraudulent practices. Witness
the following narrstirel
At meeting recently held in Fairview,
Randolph County, Indiana, Elder Solo.
mon Mckinney narrated his adventures
in Texas, from which State be was ex-
pelled about a year ago. 1t appears
that be left Iowa, three years ago and
went to Texas to find desirable resi-
dence. Having found place where his
services as a preacher were acceptable,
be returned home and took his wife back
with him to the South, proposing there
to live. This occurred in May Of 1858
Before leaving Iowa for the last time,
a neighbor requested Mr.. Mckinney to
collect from one Sproxle, in Texas, a
sum of money which be owed. After
preaching for some time, the Elder one
day received visit from the debtor,
Sprowle, and in the course of friendly
conversation the former spoke ofthe COM
mission with which he had been charged.
Sprowle denied the debt, and appeared
angry. His next step was to denounce
Mr.. Mckinney as an Abolitionist. A
Committee meeting was called, without
the knowledge of the accused, and twen-
ty-fge or thirty citizens delibcrated as
to what they should do with bin. A
number of witnesses were examined, who
declared that be was not an Atoli;ionist
but democrat, as be had always been
Then Sprowle was called on to give his
testimony, which he willingly did, charg-
ing the Elder with being changeling in
religion. One Blunt dared to speak in
favor of the minister, and be was at once
denounced as an accomplice.
Mr.. Mckinney was then preaching a
few miles away, and his congregation pre-
pared certificate to the effect that the
charge of Abolitiouism was quite false
The editor of the paper in Dallas County
was net allowed to publish this certificate,
being threatened With the destruction of
his property should he do so. A letter
was sent to Mrs. Mckinney, saying that
her husband and Blunt were to be hanged
within twenty-four hours, "six feet in the
air."
Under these circumstances, the threat
eDed men thought it expedient to leave
the country. They accordingly started,
after sleepless night, during which
they sat with loaded guns expecting an
attack. Having travelled twelve miles,
they were met by nine men, who robbed
them and took the party-Mr. and Mrs.
Mckinney and Mr.. Blunt-back to the
county town. Mrs. Mckinney was left
at private residence; the men were put
into the Jail. At three o'clock the next
morning the latter were taken out and
tied to a tree. Then seven of the rufians
logged them with a heavy cowhide whip,
each fellow giving ten strokes. The pun
ishment was very terrible, and the condi-
ton Of the victims was most deplorable.
After being thus beaten they were allow
ed to go on their journey, though they
were left penuiless.
We frequently read of Austrian des-
potism, and deplore the condition of the
poor creatures who are compelled to sub
NIT to it. But the real truth is, there is
no part of the civilized world where acts
of the grossest tyranny over persons and
property, are of more constant occur
renee, or where liberty Of speech is more
remorselessly punished, than in the slave
holding states of the American Union
The worst despotism that Europe con-
tains is that which curses the kingdom Of
Naples; but bad and brutal as Neapolitan
tyranny is, it is infinitely exceeded by
the beastly ferocity of mob law which the
slave interest always finds it easy to in
woke when it wishes to torture, murder,
OF burn at the stake some unfortunate be-
ing whom it suspects Of preferring liber-
ty to slavery.