Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-16
LYNCH LAW AT DELAWARE.

AMAN HANGED BIT MOB.
SMYRNA, Del, Oct. IA mulatto, named
Jacob Hamilton, was hanged by mob at this
place yesterday. The circumstances were as
follows: Mr. John Cloak, an aged and wealthy
citizen, lives on the outskirts Of the town, with
his wife and two daughters-the latter aged
respectively l8 and 20 years. At half past ] /
o'clock on Thursday night, Mr.. and Mrs. Cloak
| were awakened by loud screams issuing from
the room Of the young ladies. Mrs. Cloak i'm
medistely proceeded to the apartment, when
she was attacked by man whe was strug-
CLING with her daughters in the dark Mrs
c. added her screams to those OF the girls, and
Mr.. G. hasteRed to her aid. He, too, was at.
tackled and beated in a shocking manner
While the struggle was going on, a negro SER
want, who slept in an out-building procured a
ladder, and by placing it against the window
sill enabled the three ladies to escape. The
intruder also got away, without being recOg-
nized. His object was evidently to violate the
person Of one Of the young ladies'
For several reasons it was believed the mu-
latto Hamilton was the guilty party. He was
arrested early yesterday morning, and taken
before magistrate in the town. From the
evidence it seems that Hamilton was EMPLOYED
on the farm Of Mr.. Cloak; he had been at the
house the day previous, engaged in putting up
stoves While there, small toy, or some such
tride, bad been given him, and this article Tas
found IN portion Of the pocket Of the intru.
der,which had been torn off in the struggle
There were other circumstances which tended
to convince the people of his guilt; and intense
excitement was the result.
The prisoner was Of course committed to an
| swer the charge against him, and he was er-
dered to be conveyed to Dover Jail, few mile.
distant. Hamilton was a very powerful man
aDd IN order TO guard against his escape, while
on his way to prison, his srDis were ninioned
behind his back
While the hearing and the trying were in
progress preparations we're being made out
side for lypching the prisoner. rope was
procured, moose was made, and when the
coAstaoles made their appearance in the street
with tfelr charge the crowd gathered around
seized him, and ran him to beech tree on the
banks Of mill-dam at the edge of the town.
The rope was placed around his neck, the
other end was tied to an outstretched limb Of
the tree, and in a few seconds the Door wretch
was dangling in the air.
All this took place in broad daylight, at
haif-past nine O'Clock in the morning in the
sight OF hundreds Of spectators. Among tho
lookers-on there were probably two hundred
females No person attempted to vindicate
the outraged law. Hamilton met his fate
without murmur or struggle. While be-
Ing hurried to the place of execution he de-
MED his guilt but it is said that just at the
moment ne was about being suspended he con-
fessed.
The body was allowed to hang until four
O'Clock in the afternoon, when it was cut
down, and coroner's jury was empanelled TO
inquire into the manner in which the man had
come to his death: After a post.mortem ex-
animation, verdict was rendered to the effect
that the deceased had died from the effects of
strangulation, the result of hanging inflicted
oy some person or persons unknown to the
jury 1t is probable that every man concerned
III the hanging was we'll known TO the Jurors,
most OF whom were doubtless upon the ground
at the time.
1t is said that after the hanging of the mu-
latto, 1t was found that there was fresh gun
shot wound in one of his legs, and a bali was
found in the wound. Mr.. Cloak fired two pis.
tol shots at the intruder during the struggle
in the dark, and it is supposed one of the balls
took effect. There is but little, if any doubt
Of the guilt Of the poor wretch; but, in true
lynch-law style, he was hanged first and tried
afterwards.
MI Cloak was seventy-two years of age yes
terday, and Hamilton had been at the house
the day previous aiding in the preparations
for party in honor Of the event which was
to come off last night. The mulatto was to
have been the principal waiter on the festive
occasion. The deceased was unmarried and
about twenty-eight years of age. He was a
man OF herculean strength. 1t is said that he
was charged with similar attempt on for
mer occasion, and be escaped punishment at
that time. This fact had much to do with de-
Gliding his tragic fate