The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-04

sailed. is tho height Of madness. folly, and
wickedness."
THE MOB IN OTTUMWA!
They break open the Jail and
take out McComb to hang
him!
TURNED TO HIS CELL.
THE LEADERS ARRESTED!
Yesterday WAS an exciting day in Ot,un-
W. TWAS the day on which B. A. McComh
was sentenced to be hung. and on which
he would have been hurg bad not an sp-
peal to the Supreme Court stayed the pro-
ceedings and postponed the execution
During the forenoon It Was noticed that
people in unusual numbers were coming
into town, until by noon the streets were
crowded, The people did not seem excited.
no threats were made. and in fact up to this
time nothing transpired to indicate any un-
lawful purpose on'the part of the assembled
multitude. estimated to amount to 1000,
men, women and childrer. The citizens
generallv supposed that the crowd. unap-
prised Of the postponemen. Of the execution,
had come in impelled by curiosity to see
McComb hung.
About 10 o'clock, however, impelled
seemingly by . common purpose. the crowd
gathered about the jail, and the leaders.
confined to some Dozen persons. avowed
their purpose to get hold Of the prisoner.
McComb, and hang him. Sheriff Derby
was At his post and resisted the execution Of
their purpose to the best Of his ability,
knocking down two or three Of the ring
leaders. He also called for assistance,
and was assisted BY few. Senator DIXON,
Judge Hendershost, Hon. E. a. Stiles, and
Capt. A. A. Stuart addressed the crowd,
urging them to desist, and let the law take
Its course. All however, had no apparent
restraining effect A woman mounted ths
fencs and made an exciting harrangue. uYg.
ing on the mob; and saving II they would
leave it to the women they would attend to
it themselves A vote WAS taken, which
was decided to he in favor Of the hanging
A rush was now made for the froat door Of
the Jail. one fellow brandishing . sledge.
hammer. But Sheriff Derby and the few
assisting him made such e6ectual resistance
that it il probable the attempt might have
been foiled had not = portion Of the crowd
gone ronnd to the back side of the building,
and knocking OF two or three boar6s of tbs
high fence surrounding the yard, effected
an entrance. after which with slsdgs ham,
mer the outer door was broken open and
then the locks Of the cell in which McComb
was confined were broken, and the prisoner
dragged out he asked for an hour which
was given him to prepare for death. A cler-
gyman was sought, and he was finally taken
into the catholic church and baptised by
Father Kreckle, the crowd following. After
this he was led down town by way Of Court
and Front streets to the corner Of Market
and was then placed in wagon and started,
accompanied by an immense multitude. Il
was given out, for the other side Of the river
near where the remains Of the girl were
found. but If such was the purpose, it was
changed after half the crowd had forded the
river, and they finally moved Of down Front
street. They went out about milo on tho
Agency road where preparations were COM
menced for the execution. A rope was tied
around the neck Of the prisoner. Some
speaking AMI some fighting among tho
crowd followed. Alter shcrt halt. facili-
ties for an execution here were notdeemed
satisfactory and they crossed over the ridge
and haltsd under bent tree, but the ground
was 90 uneven that it WAS difficult to keep
the wagon stationary. They finally, hove
ever, got the rope adjusted. Mct'omb assist
ing, and were about throwing il over limt.
Before this was done. however, McComb re-
qussted permission to make few remarks.
He said: 81 have the rope around my neck
~ you see. and have only few moments 10
live. but am IN innocent man. Ii you
viii give mo until the next court will
prove that George Lawrence is living, and
that did not murder Laura Harvey" At
this point cry was raised all through the
crowd, "take him back" stake him back"
accompanied by the cry Of chang him"
sshang him." The leaders fearing that the
tide was turning, said that 1t was getting
late and they could wait no longer. An at
tempt was made 10 throw the rope over the
limb. but while this ~as being done several
resolute men. some Of them from Ottumwa,
Jumped into the wagon and seixing the rope
attempted to wrest 10 from the executioneYs
short struggle for the pns session Of tbs
; rope followed. wher some one called ouI
"cut It." No sooner said than done. The
rope vas cut, McComb hustled out of tha,
wagon into another and driven rapidly d
town, where they arrived little after o
clock. and lodged McComb safely in hi.
old quarters again. During the evening
the Sheriff. assisted by detachment Of Ii,
'.Guards," arrested or 8 persons. reco2
missed as leaders Of the mob, lodging SOM
! in Jail and releasing others On bail.
0l
DRowNED.-A man named John Ston
was drowned In Skunk river. IN Ksokui
county. on Monday. His horse VAS drown
z 4 a. xs.-