Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-08
WHOLE NO. 1,248.
summary Jusnce az Kokome, Inal-

shot down and murdered in cold blood two highly
respected and esteemed citizens, full account of
which YOU have already received. One OF the
desperadoes was canght and lodged in Jail. A
large crowd gathered that evening about the pub
lie square. aud after sumo considerable consulta-
ti0n thew started for the jail. The Sheriff, \ b.
Bsown, Esq, with cOmmendable energy, lad ta-
ken the necessary precantion, and posted strong
possee TO aid him in guarding the prisoner. In
the meantime his worthy deputy, Harry Stewart,
had called into reonistOn the aid of Lieut.-B
with som. eight or ten soldiers Of the lst artille-
~, 2l-t regiment Indiana volunteers After ma
neuvering for some time 70 get possession OF the
murderer, the crowd, about one o'clock, in the
morning dispersed
The Sheriff and his deputy remained at the
Jail ell night and all the next day.
On the 26th, about three O'Clock in the after
noon, large and respectable cOncOurse of peo-
pie followed to their last resting place the mortal
remains of the Rev John Love. After con-
sguns him TO the silent grave and Witnessing the
deep grief Of his family, the assemblep crowd re-
turned towards the town, and the house Of the
late Nelson Cooper, who laid in state in the par
lor of his residence, and paid their respects 20 the
remains of their esteemed friend and associate,
they saw the remains of that noble man. that
kind, genial gentleman a corpse, the blood, the
cold blood of his lifel'ss body oozing out Of be
death wound, the cup-the bitter cup, the cup of
gall was full to overfowing. 1t was too much;
see them turn from his coffin with the silent tear
rolling down their manly cheeks, infexi-
bic resolve upon their countenances, an undefna-
BILE something that spoke in thunder tones of ret
ributive justice.
Nobody left but many came to town, and by
sundown the streets of Kokomo were full. No
noise, no fuss; all was quiet-as still as a fune-
raj procession. The people of the town were
in the streets, the business houses were closed,
the country people were in town, the far
mer was there, the old were there and the
gray headed men were there, but to learn that
the villain and murdererhad said. il his pistol had
not ceased to revolve, he would have killed three
more of our citizens; il his "pal' had not been
a coward and run after the first fire, they would
not have him here to night; wanted 10 know il
he couldn't give bail: that he would not be tried
at Kokomo; he wanted to be sent to Indianapolis;
that the law gave him the right Of a change of
venue: that he and his friends had ten thousand
dollars to defend him with; all he asked was to
let him have trial, and be would willingly risk
the consequences. Insult was added to injury
Two highly respectable citizens had been shot
down in the streets of our town, in cold blood, in
broad daylight. The outlaw. the murderer,
sneeringly told them that il his pistol had not
ceased to revolve, they would have had three
more to bury; he tainted our courts Of justice
with bribery, and told the citizens of Howard
county that he had no confidence in their moral
honesty, that they couldn't try him; then, their
manhood their patience was overtaxed; the cup
| of gall was full; human nature could bear no
more-forbearance ceasing to be virtue, action,
action was the word. Eight O'Clock had arrived
the masses were there the people had gathered
from eight hundred to one thousand strong. A
start was made for the jail; when arriving at the
| prison, they were promptly met by worthy
Sheriff and his deputy with strong guard, and
commanded to disperse and 60 to their homes
The answer was, we have duty TO perform; that
II eboll ko n,ad. %
ourselves, owe it to our wives and children,
we owe it to the protection Of our lives and pro-
perty; we shall avenge the death of our friends,
the honored dead; "Shall not God avenge his
own electl" "avenge me OF mine adversaries,
81 tell you that he will avenge them speedily"
"he will avenge the blood Of his people;" in obe-
dience to His commands, and the dictates OF JUS
tice, the blood of our people was avenged.
Rawson Vail, Esq, DR.. Weaver and Col
Richmond severally addressed the crowd, and ap-
pealed to them not 10 commit any violence.
Their speeches were listened to with respectful
attention.
At the close of Col. Richmond's speech, the
crowd became impatient; rush was made for
| the Jail; the guard was overpowered; the Sheriff
was caught, his pistol wrenched from his hands.
| his pockets searched for the key, but he had
taken the precaution to hide IL.
With the aid ofsledge hammers. crow-barsand
battering-rams, the door of the all was forced
open in about half an hour after the work was
commenced About ten O'Clock p. NJ, the thief
| and murderer was brought out Of prison; he wss
given one hour to prepare his guilty soul for
eternity Elder Lamb was sent for; he came. he
prayed for the murderer he invoked the throne
| of grace in a most eloquent and feeling manner,
| after which he was moved 10 the public square,
where gallows was erected in front Of Cooper's
| livery stable, and near where he had committed
the double murder He was asked il he had any
confessions or disclosures TO make. he said hs
had not, he never betrayed his friends. he had
nothing to tell, he would like to shoot his partne
for his cowardice for running of and leaving him
He was asked TO give his true name. De said h
went by the name of Dan. Jones. his partner b,
! the name Of Jack Jones. He reflected a mo
, ment, and then remarked, my "pai'' is a bas
coward, and ought to be punished for his coward
ice lsurpose his true name is Joseph Ellis, h
. home is in Licking county, Ohio. My name
John Smith, (ohi for the everlasting and imscu
late John) He was then informed that bis hoU
was up, but his time would be extended fftee
minutes longer, at which time his execution woul
] positively take place, the announcement Of vhic
did not change a mussle Of his face. Elder Lam
was again called upon to pray for the prisone
and TO intercede for his guilty soul. and well di
he do it, for he seemed to be inspired and praye
as he never was heard to pray before. Many
tear was shed in the crowd, but nary one wa
} seen to fall from the murderer's eye. After Oh
prayer, he conducted TO the scaffold that wa
erected for his execution; he ascended it wit
promptness; taking hold Of the rope he remarke
} that il was too long, and tapped u twice aroon
, the pole above him, and then tried 10 stick hi
head through the moose. said IL was too short
, turned il once back. and exclaimed that woul
! do Turning round and looking over the crowd
said you are not executing me according 70 th
laws OF the State Of Indiana, you are not follow
ing out the forms of law, you have taken the la'
into your own hands, the justice of which hsv
no right to complain of, and DO not murmur al
anu from necessity have to submit. lou are eS
e ecuting me ejusty, and with as much order and do
cency any man has ever been executed hav
, nothing more TO say. He then drew the nooz
over his head with bis own hands, and adjuste
1t around his neck. fixing it all to his own notion
} placed his hands behind his back and asked {
: have them tied. which was done; he then said
{ loud voice, 'sDo your duty"
S About Is minutes after IL O'Clock Z M,
o was swinging between heaven and earth, wreati
, ing in the agonies of death, expating upon n
e gallows for the awful crime of murder, for th
r murder of Nelson Cooper, that noble man, tha
honorable gentleman, that worthy citizen and e
teemed friend, that kind and afectionate hui
band. Yes, and for the murder Of John Low
that old, gray-headed minister We have 60 oite
It heard invoking the Throne of Grace. Littl
children little BOYS and girls you will no loncs
A hear in ycur Sabbath school meetings that ol
i and familiar voice exhorting yoe 10 deeds Of low
e charity and kindness He is dead His body
!. wrapped in the winding sheet Of death, oonsigne
10 the cold cold ground. The silent grave, fh
clods of the valley has closed over his coffin. an
shut him out from our view. he was shot; |
was murdered in cold blood by thief and de
e perado- His death, and the death of Nelso
!. Cooper, has been avenged; their murder has bee
avenged by the hands Of their friends. By an on