The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-01-06
A Fiendish Outrage.

in this and other papers, derived from South
Carolina papers, stating that workman en-
gagged on the State House in Columbia, S. C.,
was recently seized by mob, on account, as
was alleged, of holding anti-slavery opinions.
and th,t he received thirty-nine lashes. and
was tarred and feathered, and then conveyed
to Charleston. No full account was given in
the Charleston papers. but one of them.witi-
out giving particulars, protested against the
outrage From the following detailed mar
ra'ive of the injuries inflicted upon the man,
published in the New York independent, it
appears that there was abundant reason for
protesting. A more inhuman deed is seldom
perpetrated. The independent says:
We have seen this unfortunate man, and
heard his story, and looked at his wounds
His name IS James Power He is an intelli-
gent young man, about twenty-three years
of age, a native of Wexford, Ireland. ard a
stonecutter by trade. He went from Phila-
dclphia to the South, and obtained employ
ment in Columbia, where he had worked for
nine months.
The only opinion he ever expressed against
slavery was that it caused white laborer in
the South to be looked upon as a. inferior
and degraded man. But this was enough
The remark was reported to the Vigilance
Committee. composed Of twelve members. J
who Immediately ordered the police to arre>,
him. He was seized two miles away from
town, IN attempting to escape. lie was then
brought back and pat in a cell, where he re-
NAMED for three days. during which time he
was denied the use OF pen and ink. and all
communication with his friends outside.
At length he was taken before the Mayor
Four persons appeared and bore testimony
to the remark which he had made. The evil
dence was conclusive. lie was returned to
prison, and kept Locked up for six days. Du-
ring this time he was allowed only two sea-
~ meals Il day, and the food was carried to
him by negro. He was then taken out of
Jail iii the custody oftwo marshals, who said
to him,
"You are fond of niggers, that we are
going to give YOU Il niger escort"
He was led through the main street ami.
great crowd. hoo,i'g and yelling. the mar
>hal> compelling two negroes to drag hin,
through the puddles and mudd, places of
the street. and of the State House YARD. A.
he was taken past the State House. three
members q! the Legislature. inc uding the
Speaker, stood looking on and laughing -
The crowd gradually Increased until il num-
Dered several thousand persons. headed by Il
troop of horse.
After a march of three miles out nfthe CITY.
to place called the junction" the process
ION was stopped, and preparations were made
for punishment. The p"pulace cried brand
him :" "butn him spike him to death -
and made threats against his life b: pointing
pistols at his head, aud tourishins sticks in
his face.
The Vigilance Committee ordered him to
strip himself naked. and forced negro TO
assist in taking oft the clothes. A cowhide
was then pu. into the Negroes hands, who
va, ordered to II, ON thir'y-;line la>he>. and
to draw blood with every stroke. Our infur
mant describes the pain of this intiic'ion as
exceeding in severity anything which lac ever
suffered before. Ills back and lower limbs
az SIN Co\CItd "ith ti!c sears u tat
wounds.
y bucket OF tar was then brought, and two
negroes were ordered To rub il unon his
bleeding skin. and to cover him from head
10 waist. His hair and c,.-brGw> were q. +
ted witt tai. .t'fcr THIS part # the ccrcma-
nv WAS cnrciu3vd. hc was covered W: th {, MI,
c:>. HIS pai.tAl"ou> were then drawn ~ to
his waist iu, he WAS not allowed to put or
his coax ard shirt, lie VAS conducted in this
exposed condition. amid the shouts Of The
poruIAoc. TO :. railroad train. aud was put on
beard the negroes car. The engineer blew a
continuous blast Oh lis whistle 70 siynaliZr
the performance.
y citizen Of Charleston on the train. Who
saw the poor fellows unhappy condition.
stepped into a nrishhoring hotel. before the
starting Of tl.t cars. and bought cup %. cot
Zee aud some biscuits to relieve the sul.tre. )
t.intness. 1t was timely .;'; aal grateful
ly received. But the Southern chi,ary gath
cred around the Southern gentleman. and
threatened him with Summary ,en.eaucc ii
ne repeated lis generosity. Ihrcxa>pcra,;l
crowd de,aincd III" train. and called for nor.
tar and feathers, tor further n!lic.iou rpon
their bleeding victim. More tar was brought.
i,ut mere feathers c1ul,! not be found and
after fresh tar was applied, cotton was >tuc.
upon ii instead
When the train started for Charleston, III.
mob babe him goodbye. and told him thai
when he reached this city he would rece,,
one hundred ard thirty Ia>hcs At ever, sta
ton bctwe. Columbia and Cha lesion, the
engineer blew prolonged whistle. and gath
cred mob to add fresh insults to the wouu-
ded man. At length on arriving. he was met
by the police, conveyed to prison, and &c
tanned in his cell for an entire week. Here
he received. for the first time. soap and WI
ter to wash off the tar, ard oil to soften his
sores. A mob several time, threatened. 70
break into the prison and carry him out into
the street, and make a public spectacle. of
him second time; but he was kc;,, closely
coi'tined. A phi. >;cian called to see him to
EXAMINE his M"uud>, who told him that his
case was mild one. comparing it with that
Of a man who was then living in the CITY
Hospital from the effects of five hundred
lashcs, which had almost put an end to his
lie!
On Saturday morning last at seven O'clock
The poor workman was taken from prison.
and conducted quietly on board the steamer
for New York. He arrived in this cit, on
Monday last, where he is still STAYING, and
looking for work, which We hope he ma,
find
This man informed us that. in common
with the great mass of Irishmen in this coun-
h<, l.,.t 4
ic party.
The PRESIDENTS MESsAGE.-Of the Pres
iden,'s Message, the Washington correspon-