Smyrna times., 1861-10-17
DlasOlical Attempt at Robbery and
Murder by a Negro Execution
Of the Villain by the Citizens.

svsa tenor Of its vay," was suddenly thrown
islo the widest excitement on Friday morning
hst By a report that vile attempt at robbery
and murder had been perpe,rated upon the fam
iIy Of John Cloak, Esq, one Of our oldest and
weallhiest citizens, residing just beyond the
named Jseob Hamilton.
Il sppesrs that on the night previous, his
swodsug ghters-bOth young ladies-having re-
tired TO bed. the younger was aroused from
sleep between twelve and one o'clock by the
ezIiagulshment of the light. which is habituaIly
Iepl Burning. She called 10 her sister TO light
Il, Hho. in attempting to strike a match, re-
ssVed severe blow on her arm and another
10 IAe fsee. She con @enced screaming, but
xls asPfed By being ehoked, and having a
ssFssa's sugers run in her mouth. The moth
sf. hearing the screams, came 10 their door
asd asked "were is the light" when a terri.
BE erash was heard on the side Of the door,
ssar her head. BT this time Mr. Cloak had
arrived with his revolver. The Younger daagh.
Ss CbOIh having ped from the bed, and
IAs y0sager from the r0O,n} succeeded in light
aga match, which burned sufficiently long for
hsr 10 ldeOll;y Their wnud-be murderer, who
sFsVed 10 be the Negro above mentioned. In
The mean time Mr.. {. fired three shots from his
pslOl. when the negro dealt him a severe blow
81 The forehead and knocking his revolver from
Als hand. They then 4" cllnched," ard Mr.. C.
ihrew hlm on the bed, but the negro, being a
Hefeales 10 strength. easily pulled away. and
s0nUeOcsd feeling on the floor for the pistol
vet kadlng II, he concluded to escape, which
ts did By descending the stairs snd forcing q
ssek door OPeR. Il ls utterly impossible to
imagine tte feelings Of Mr.. c. whilst standing
a. aJlsr dmkness, defcnceless. and powerless
tFO@ sxertiOn. loss Of blood and the infrmities
siags. net showing what his fate might be
fsi. great msst have been his relief en hear
iss the villain making has escape.
Wbilsl lhis struggle vas going on, the ladies'
sscseeded 10 escaping from the house through
windO~ TO the roof of portico in frsnt.
asd thence dOSn ladder which colored man
sssssnl ghs had GENE to their assista nee, J
placed sPon bis shoulders TO make it sufficient.
ly long 30 ssae& tka@.
Thsy we're compelled to stand in ihs yard for
Considerable length OF time, in a drenchiug
fsn.este fOOi.sud in the greatest anxiety for the
h's d he eyed Assbsnd and patent-nor were
iaeT Es' fdss Of ibeir own safety. FiaGlly, all
Aaiefea tse hoVse gain, and The horror in which
tAe tenGlndeT Of that teEtible night was speat
~ lhem ean better be conceived by the imagina-
n'a Of the Essdsr lhaa BY any DESCRIPTION we
ssa give
Upon ess<aiastion, Mr. Cloak was found 10
have received a severe cash Just above his tore.
teas. some three inches ia leEgth aud 10 the
s'ae. besides being bruised badly on the body
SD Asnds; his wife also got cut on the head
As eldest daughter was severely choked, her
nghi eye badly sSollen sad inAamed from the
sss Of tia seosHdrei. All were badly bruised. |
tAs yoangsr daughter was also chOked, be-
SssshaViug her feat badly cut by the brokea
gh~.
Vu friday morniag. Mr. Taylor, (Mr. Cloak's
r'~N~N~@ ~ toNu AuS OulCGtB OIL
hsiss 10 arrest the negro, when he met the
s1ss gong 70 hiH work, (the negro was 10
Hss@PlOy Of Mr. T. aud gave him instruction
ssAesfaing his dsy's work. 10 a. short time
"s ofoeeri arrested him and he was taken be-.
'sss Esquire Wslcott for trial. Soon crowds
'''anehesd gathered in various places near
we Shee. panic was evidently seizing the
p'paisee, and hatred deePened as The trial pro.
gsessed.
Ai'sF haafing the case the Squire issued
sa'omiamunt. and delivered the culprit to the
S'0esfs OF the law for conveyance TO jsil, but
= 300 as they were clear of the Magistrate's
.s't 'Ae indignant crowd seized him. He was
sa hsrred down Main st., vast crowd fol.
''S'sg amer. aud the boys crying "hang him."
Siyneh him." &c.
us SsH taken TO a beech tree over Sharp's
na''Pead. where preparations were made for
~ssscation. While the preparations were
ss'ag maize. be was allowed TO stand and wit
Ie@ taeH movements, the crowd all the while
sung hin 10 confess" He refused to do 90,
sse'esflng bis innocence 10 the most earnest
.'aaef' His cOuntenaDce expressed 40 simp-
" 's'ir' and not a single cry for mercy es-
NPea d" liPs; indeed. his expressions we're
-o's Indicative Of dogged sullenness than tim
@aF-IPparently not q nerve IrembIed.
"aen the rope was properly adjusted be was
'' tha tree. Before placing the Moose over
aAead several persons cried {" give him time
.seass'." Heutill declared his innocence
s 'ee' we're thea pinionsd and his head put
,'0ssh The nooss-being placed on a rail, one
sa' s@aach wss laid at the root Of the tree and
'hs. hsld By a number OF persons. Still
a'sa .ssss h's gaslt. Ahandkerchief was ,hsn
~ s's'i ne eyea whep be was heard praying.
sgsia being asked ifhe was guilty., he
49, fs-Iwsn's 60 in bad csmpany .ny
.s simultaneously he was pushed sue
llsespss ftom andsr him.and be wss lsf
~gm the sar. Eis died in few aiuetss