Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-09-25
Fearful Demonstratien of Lynch Law.

ATTEMPTING TO HANG AN ACQUITTED PRISONER.
The Leavenworth Times of September 18th
comes TO us with long account of an attempt at
lynch law in that city. IL appears that James A .
Gordon, accused of the murder Of John Gantz, in
gambling saloon In that place, was after trial
acquitted on some point Of jurisdiction, and, by
order of the Court, set at liberty.
The Marshal unbols the chains and al they fell
cianking upon the floor, there arises a deep swell
ing sensation among the auditors. There IS a rush
toward the door Of the courtroom. The prisoner
moves from bis criminal seat to one beside his
counsel; his face, before marked with calmn ness
now becomes flushed with emotions; turns pale;
now crimsoned; gazes upon the door with un.
easiness; turns towards the Court, and manifests
the feelings Of man who has passed one irving
ordeal to undertake another and more severe one
Some time before Gordon was discharged ru.
mors flew about the streets that he would soon be
acquitted Crowds rushed to the Court thouse to
breathing vengeance. The rumors proved true
The news spread like wildnre over the city, and
the crowd augmented.
The prisoner was now free to 90 where he
pleased, but dare not leave the courtroom for fear
Of the angry crowd without. Ii was now apparent
that an attempt would be made to lynch hun At
this time the exctementwas 80 intense that clearly
there was no other way to save Gordon's life ex-
cept by taking him to the county Jail
Accordingly he placed himself under charge of
the mayor. and moved out Of the courthouse
When he entered the hall a scene of the widest
excitement commenced. The mayor, with Cor
Hs
the hall and as the seethng, tossing crowd surged
to and fro, pressing against the officers and stTiv
ing To get at the prisoner, It was a commotion
such as only 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 a
firm wall Of protection. Finally by dint Of great
frmness, the mayor landed him safely In Jail.
But now the serious trouble had just commenced
The crowd increased around the Jail, and became
more and more furious. Men, armed with mus
tsts and revolyers and knives, gathered thick and
fast; and as the shades Of night came on, large
bonfres were built all around the jail throwing
their lurid light far out over the city; and the
wild, demoniac yells Of the infuriated people
made IL a scene terribly vivid and fearful.
During this time Mayor Mcdowell made several
speeches, urging obedience to the law, and re-
questing the people TO return home In quiet, an
he was determined to enforce the law at all haz-
and the ringleaden Of the mob that Gordon should
be delivered over to Sheriff Middaugh, and that
all further riotous proceedings should cease on
that being done. Tothis arrangement the ruling
ture the mayor LEFT the jail FOR few moments to
attend TO some matters on this side Of the creek.
In his ABSENCE and contrary to his Intention, Cor
don was brought out Of jail and turned over to
OF mad fury that beggars description. The crowd
him. hang him."
They forced him down into the narrow and
Il
eight O'Clock, and a thick darkness had settled
upon the whole city, and this fierce crowd ragged
IN the dark glen like demons II was terrible.
But the brave ofncen stood by the prisoner ike
gallant men, Hnd sometimes almost overborne,
they still recovered and pressed forward holding
their prisoner safe In their charge Several times
the crowd had halter around his neck, but each
time officer cut the rope, and thus thew strug-
gled up out Of the ravine; and then followed 4
tuuult and strife between the ofcers and rioters
that was desperate to the last degree, up Foursh
street, % Shawnee, and down Shawnee to the
PIanter's House. Here the crowd halted, and The
contest, fos half an hour, was fierce and terrific
The din, howl, and confusion, was now worse
than pandemoafam, the prisoner begging 10 bt
hung killed, or anything to take him out Of such
agony By this tins every stitch Of clothing wa
torn of him, and he had nothing on his body bul
8 clanking chains. u
The Mayor ut last succeeded In organizing q
fresh body Of citizens, and with these he closed
soIidly around Gordon, and again started for ths
jail, which, though . distance Of about ter
squares and across q ravine, was Anally reached
after desperate Struggle, and the prisoner again
safeiy landed from the fury Of the mob.
Gordon II very badly bruised cut, and lacefsted
J and the Sheriff is also Injured.