Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-09-26

Great EXcftment in Leavenw0r IN -sFear-
ful Denomination of Lynch Law.-A MO b
TttemPsIng to Hang an Acquitted Pris-
Oner.
The Leavenworth Times of September comes to
us with long account of an attempt at Lynch
Law in that city. 1t appears that James A. Gordon
accused of the murder of John GantZ, in gamb-
ling sale IN in that place, was after trial acquitted
Court, set at liberty
THE SCENE IN COURT.
The Marshal unbolts the chains, and as they fell
canking upon the floor, there arises deep swelling
sensation among the auditors. There is rush to-
wards the door of courtroom. The prisoner moves
from his criminal seat to beside his counsel his
face, before marked with calmness, now became
flushed with emotions turns pale now crimson,
gazes upon the floor with uneasiness turns towards
the Court. and manifests the feelings of man who
has passed one trying order to undertake another
and more severe one.
THE EXCITEMENT SPREADS.
Sometime before Gordon was charged. rumors
flew about the street that he would soon be acqut-
ted. Crowds rushed to the Court House to ascer-
tain the facts, some out of curiosity and others
breathing vengeance. The rumors proved true
The news spread like wildfrs the city, and the
crowds augmented.
The prisoner was now free to go where he pleas
cd but dare not leave the for fear of the
angry crowd without. 1t was now apparent that
an attempt would be made to lynch him. At this
time the excitement was sointense that clearly there
was no other way to save Gordon's life except by
taking him to the County Jail.
SCENES IN THE STREET
Accordingly he placed himself under charge of the
Mayor, and moved out of the Court House. When
he entered the hall scene of the widest excitement
commenced The Mayor, with Gordon and posse
of about fifty men, started down the hall and as the
seething tossing crowd surged to and fro pressing
against the officers and striving to get at the priEo-
ner it a cOmmotion such as only a mad crowd
of human beings can get up. Down into the street
they went, the crowd yelling Hang him hang
him ~ and the brave. stern officers closing around
him, made firm wall of protection Finally by
dint of great frmness, the Mayor landed him safely
in Jail But now the serious trouble had lust COM
menced. The crowd increased around the iail and
became more and more furious. Men armed with
muskets and reVovers and knives gathered thick
and fast, and the shades of night came on large
bOnres were built up all around the jail throwing
their lurid light far out the city and the wild
demonac yells of the Infatuated people made it a
scene terribly vivid and fearful.
FATTHLEssNEss OF THE MOB.
During all this time, Mayor Mcdowell made sever
al speeches, urging obedience to the law and re-
questing the people to return home in quiet. That
he determined to enforce the law at all hazards
1t was finally agreed between the Mayor and the
ringleaders of the riot that Gordon should be deli
yered over to Sheriff Middaugh, and that all fur
Their disorder and riOtouts proceedings should cease
on that being done. To this arrangement the
ruling spirits of the mob sOlemnly agreed At this
Juncture, the Mayor left the Jail for few moments
to attend to some matters this side of the creek
In his absence, and contrary to his intentions Cor
don was brought out of the jail and turned over to
Sheriff Mlddaugh, and now commenced scene of
mad fury that beggars description The crowd
rushed upon Gordon crying like demons, Hang
him" Hang himF' They forced him down into |
the narrow and rocky glen North of the Jail 1t was |
then about eight O'Clock at night, and thick dark
ness had settled upon the whole city and this fierce
crowd ragged in that drak glen like demons 1t was |
terrible. But the brave officers stood by the pris
oner like gallant men, and sometimes amost over
borne they still recovered and pressed forward
holding their prisoner safe in their charge Sever
al times the crowd had halter around his neck |
but each time officer cut the rope and thus thew
struggled up out Of the ravIne ; and then followed
tumut and strife between the officers and rioters
that was desparate to the last degree, up Fourth
street to Shawnee, and down Shawnee to the Piar-
ter's House Here the crowd halted and the con-
Eest, for half an hour, was fierce and terrific The
lin howl and confusion was worse than pande-
noni4m the prisoner begged to be hung, killed, or
anything to take him out of such agony BY tins
lime every stitch of clothing was torn off him, and
he had nothing on his body but his elankng chains
TUX PRISONER SAVED
The Mayor at last succeeded in organizing fresh
BODY of citizens, and with these he closed solidy
!round Gordon and again started for the jail which
hough distance of about ten squares and across
he ravine was finally reached, after desper ate
truggle and the prisoner again safely landed from
he fury of the mob.
Gordon is very badly bruised, cut and lacerated.
nd the Sheriff is also injured.