Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-12-25
Horrible Execution--TheM Mcneil
Murder.
From tbe Palmyra tMo.J Courier.

Ohtnfuay last witnessed the perform
ance Of a tragedy in the once quiet and
beautiful city Of Palmyra, which in ordi.
nary peaceful times, would have created
a profound sensation throughout the en-.
tire country, but which now scarcely pro.
duces distinct ripple upon the sulace Of
our turbulent social tide
1t will be remembered by our readers
that on the occasion Of Porter's descent
upon Palmyra, he captured, among other
persons, an old and highly respected res
ident Of this city, by name Andrew Ais.
man. This person formerly belonged to
the Third Missouri Cavalry, though too
old to endure all the hardships of very
active duty. He was, therefore, detailed
as kind Of extra or special Provost
Marsbal's Guard, or accommodating
himself generally useful in variety Of
ways to the military of the place. Being
an old resident and widely acquainted
with the people of the place and vicinity
he was frequently called upon for infor-
nation touching the loyalty Of men,
which he always gave to the extent Of bis
ability, though acting, we believe, in all
such cases, with great candor, and actu-
ated solely by a conscientious desire to
discharge his whole duty to his govern
ment. His knowledge of the surround
ing country was the reason Of his being
frequently called upon to act as guide
TO scouting parties sent ont to arrest dis
loyal persons. SO efficiently and success
fully did he act in these various capacities
that he won the bitter hatred of all the
rebels in the city and vicinity, and they
only awaited the coming Of favorable
opportunity to CRAFTY their desire for re-
venge. The opportunity came. at last.
when Porter took Palmyra. That the
villains, with Porter's assent, satiated
their thirst for his blood by the deliberate
and predetermined murder Of their help
less victim, no true loyal man doubts
When they killed him, or how, or where,
are items of the act not yet revealed to the
public. Whether he was stabbed at mid.
night by the dagger of the assassin, OF
shot at midday by the rife OF the guerilla;
whether he was hung, and hi, body hid
den beneath the scanty soil Of some oak.
en- thicket, or left for hogs to fatten upon,
or whether, like the ill-fated Wheat, his
his throat was severed from ear to ear,
and his body sunk beneath the wave, we
know not. But that be was foully, cause
lessly murdered, it is useless to attempt
to deny.
When General Mcneil returned to
Palmyra, after that event, and ascertaned
the circumstances under which Allsman
had been abducted, he caused to be issued,
after due deliberation the following notice:
PALMYRA, Mo-, Oct 3, 1862.
"Joseph G. Porter:
"Sir-Andrew Allsman, an aged citi-
zen of Palmyra, and non cam batant,
having been carried from his home by
a band of persons unlawfuly arrayed
against Il peace and good order of the
State of Missouri, and which band was
under your control, this is to notify you
that unless said Andrew Allsman is re-
turned unharmed to his family within ten
days from date, ten men who have be-
longed to your band, and and unlawfully
sworn by you to carry arms against the
Government of the United States, and
who are now in custody. will be shot as
meet reward for their crimes, among
which is the illegal restraining Of said
Allsman of his liberty; and, if not re.
turned, presumptively aiding in his mur-
| der.
"Iour prompt attention to this will
save much suffering. Yours, DC.
"W. R. STRACuAN,
provost Marshal General of Northeast
Missouri.
"Per order of Brigadier General com
manding McNeils column"
n written duplicate of this notice he
caused to be placed in the hands of the
wife of Joseph G. Porter, at her residence
in Lewis county, who, it was well known
was in frequent communication with heI
husband. The notice was published
widely, and as Porter was in Northeast
Missouri during the whole Of the ten day,
subsequent to the date of of this notice
it is impossible that, with all his varied
channels of information, he remained un.
apprised of General McNeil's determine
tion in the premises.
Many rebels believed the whole thing
was simply intended as scare--declar-
ing that Mcneil did not dare to carry
out the threat.
The ten days elapsed, and no tidings
came of the murdered Alsman. 1t is
not our intention to dwell at length upon
the details of this transaction. The tenth
day expired with last Friday. On that
day ten Rebel risoner, already in custo-
dy, were selected to pay with their lives
the penalty demanded, The names OF
the men SO selected were as follows:
Willis Baker, Thomas Hemston, Nor
gan Bixlor, John Y. McPheeters, OF
Lewis county; Herbert Hudson, JOAN NJ
Wade, Marion Lair of Rails county;
Captain Thomas a. Snider, Monroe
county; Ebenzer Lake, Scotland county
Hiram Smith, Knox county.
These parties were informed on Friday
evening, that unless Mr.. Allsman was
returned to his family by one o'clock on
the following day, they would all be shot
at that hour.
Most of them received the announce
ment with composure and indifference
The Rev. James S. Green, of this city,
remained with them during that night,
as their spiritual adviser cndeavoring to
prepare them for their sudden entrance
into the presence of their Maker
\ little after eleven o'clock n. NJ. the