The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-11-26
Horrible ExecutiOn-The Mcneil
Murder.
From The Palmyra mo. Courier,

l
Murder.
From the Palmyra MOI Courier.
Saturday last, witnessed the performance
oil q tragedy in the once quiet and beautiful
city of Palmyra, which, in ordinary peaee-
fu times, would have created profound sen
sation throughout the entire country, but
which now scarcely produces a distinct rip
pie upon the surface Of our turbulent social
tide.
1t will be remembered BY our readers that
on the occasion OF Porter's descent upon Pal
myrs, he captured. among other persons, an
old and highly respected resident of this
city, by name Andrew Allsman. This per-
son formerly belonged to the Third Missouri
Cavalry, though too old to endure all the
hardships Of very active duty. He was,
therefofe, detailed as kind OF extra or spe-
cial Provost NJ arshal's Guard, or cicerone-
making 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 Information touch
| ing the loyalty of men, which he always
gave to the extent OF his ability, though
acting, we believe, in all such cases, with
great csndor, and actuated solely by con
scientious desire to discharge his whole duty
20 his Government. His knowledge of the
surrounding country was the reason of his
being frequently called upon toac as a guide
10 scouting parties seLt out TO arrest disloyal
persons. So efficiently and successfully did
he act in these various capacities that he won
the bitter hatred OF all tbe rebels in the city
and vicinity. and they only awaited the COM
nf "a oIN IN hotr
desire for revenge. The opportunity came at
last, when Porter took Palmyra. That the
Williams, with Porter's sssent, satiated their
thirst for his blood by the deliberate and pre-.
determined murder OF their helpless victim,
no true loyal man doubts. When they kill
ed him, or how. or where, are items OF the
act not yet revealed 10 the public. Whether
he was stabbed at midnight by the dagger
Of the assassin, or shot at midday by the
rifle OF the guerrills; whether he was hung,
and his body hidden beneath the scanty soil
OF some oaken thicket, or left for hogs to
iatten upon, or whether, like the i'll fated
Wheat, his throat was severed from ear to
ear, and his body sunk beneath the wave, we
know not. But that he was foully, cause.
lessly murdered. it is useless to attempt to
deny,
When General Mcneil returned to Palmy.
ra, after that event. and ascertained the cir
cumstances under which AlIsman had been
abducted, he caused TO be issued alter due
delberation, the following notice:
PALMYRA, Mo-, Oct. 3, 1862.
Joseph G. Porter:
"SlR-Andrew Allsman, an aged citizen
Of Palmyra, and non combalant, having
been carried from his home by ban1 OF
persons unlawfully arrayed against the peace
and good order OF the State OF Missouri, and
which band was under your control, this is
to notify you that unles said Andrew Alls
man is returned unharmed to his family
within ten days from date, ten men who have
belonged to your band, and unlawfuly 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 res
sraining of said Allsman of his liberty; and,
il not returned, presumptiyely aiding in his
murder.
"Your prompt attention to this will save
much suffering. Yours, &C.,
"W. R. STRACHAN,
"Provost Marshal General OF Northeast
| Missouri.
"Per order of B,igadier General command.
ing McNeil's column"
A written duplicate Of this notice he
caused to be placed in the hands of the wife
Of Joseph G. Porter, at her residence in Lew.
is county, who, it was we'll known, was in
frequent communication with her husband.
The notice was published widely, and as
Porter was in North east Missouri duiing the
whole of the ten days subsequent to the date
of this notice, it is impossible that, with all
his varied channels OF information he re-
mained unapprised OF Gen. McNeils deter.
mnation in the premises.
/ Many rebels believed the whole thing was
simply intended as a scare declaring that
Mcneil did not dare C) TO carry out the
threat.
The ten days elasped, and no tidings came
Of the murdered Allsman. 1t is not our in
tention to dwell at length upon the details
of this transaction. The tenth day expired
with last Friday On that day ten Rebel
prisoners, already in custody, were selected
10 pay with their lives the penalty demand
ed. The names OF the men so selected were
as folowes:
Willis Baker, Thomas Hemston, Morgan
Bixler, john Y. McPhecters. Of Lewis Coun
ty; Herbert Hudson, John M. Wade, Marion
Lair, OF Rails County; Captain Thomas A.
Snlder, Monroe County; Eleazer Lake, Scot
land County; Hiram Smith, Knox County.
These parties were informed on Friday
evening thatunless Mr.. Allsman was returns
ed to his lalnily by one O'Clock on the Iollow-
ing day, they would all DO shot at th-t
hour.
Most Of them received the announcement
with composeure and indifference. The Rev.
James s. Green, OF this city, remained with
them during thai night. as their spiritual
adviser, endeavoring. to prepare them for
their sudden entrance into the presence oI
their Maker.
a little after eleven O'Clock A, NJ. the next
day three Government wagons drove TO the
liail. One contained four, and each of the
others three rough, board ceifns. The con-
demned men were conducted from theprison
and seated in the wagons, one upon each
coffin. sufficient guard OF soldiers accom-
panied them, and the cavalcads started for
the fatal grounds. Proceeding east to Main
street, the cortage turned and moved slowly
southwark as far as Malone's livery stabe;
thence turning east entered the Hannibal
road, pursuing it nearly to tho residence Of
Colonel James Cuibertson. There throwing
down the fences they turned northward, en-
tering the fair grounds (half mile east oI
the town. on the west side. and driving with
in the circular amphitheatrical ring, paused
for the 6nal contamination of the scene.
The ten coffns were removed from the
wagons and placed in q row, six or eight
feet apart, forming q line north end south
about fifteen PAGES east of the central pagoda
or music stand, in the center ring. Each
coffin was placed upon the ground, with ! q
foot west and head east. Thirty soldiers oil
the Second NJ. 8. M. were drawn up iu q
single line, extending north and south, fa
cling the row of collins. This line Of execu,
toners ran Immediately at the east base o.
| pacod, Having n snaca hatypee,, than and