, 1865-03-11
A 14OIe1kHD CRIME.
Two Of the Villains Punished.

[From The Princeton iIll.} Republican,
It will be remembered that zone time In
September last, two couple from Princeton,
named respectively Edward Coleman and Miss
Elvira segeT, and Joseph Smith and Miss
Francis Storms, went to 1.aSa1lc on q visit,
and while there we're brutaliy assaulted by
party Of I1ishsnen. Soon after the occurrence
some of the particulars were Published In the
Republican, but not al, as It VAS deemed pru-
dent to keep the matter us quiet as possible,
IN order to facilitate the arrest Of the vi.lains.
After considerable effort, two Of the gang
were arrested, and tried at Ottawa, on on ID.
dictmcnt for the crime Of Tape, at the last
session Of the Circuit Court Of LaSalle county.
The names Of the parties tried are Joseph
O'Neal and John Nurtney, young .Irishmen,
trial Was concluded on "Wednesday Of last
week, having occupied almost five days. Mr..
Blanchard Of Ottawa, prosecuting attorney,
assisted by Mayor Bull Of La3alle, conducted
the prosecution, and Meesrs. Gray and Bush
nell Of ottawa, appeared as counsel for the
o'clock p. m, and at II they returned with
verdict Of gui1ty-lnding the term Of ten years
imprisonment ut hard labor in the pcuiten-
tiary as the punishment.
As We learn from person present at tho
trial, tho evidence Of tue prosecuting Fit-
wlckcdncsa and a cruelty On the part Of the
rufIlans almost without = parallel. The tes-
timopy showed that the ladies and their
companions were taking walls, In the even
iur. short distance east OF LII Sale. While
quietly proceeding along. they were assaulted
by garg Of five CIR six Ilshmen. Smith and
Coleman for time bravely defended them
selves, cpdeavoring to pro- 'ect the Indies and
drive or the rilnins. They were coon over
powered, however, by superior numbers.
Smith and Coleman we're knocked down,
beat till senscless. and then la'd across tho
train, II not sufficiently recovered TO change
their position. While this brutal and uupro-
yoked nttnck was going on, another more VII
lnfpors and hc1t,boTn was in progress. Tho
ladies. unprotected and unnble to resist
the rufTaar, were insulted, robbed
Of their jeWelry. and outraged
once or twice By each Of these 1cnds ID human
form. When we reflect upon the wickedncss
Of this ofienso, and the cruelty which charnc.
tcrizcd it, we arc shocked With horror, and
human nature Is Sometimes reduced. There
was one mistake In tho tu1y's verdict, we
thlnk-it should have been twico ten yeara,
and Mt the end Of TINT time the villains
would not expiate for their crime. Intense
interest was manifested at Ottawa by this
trial. The livellest sympathy was fc1t by. all
good citizens in favor of the injured parties.
Very generously, unknown to them, citizens
Of dttawn raised d purse to lefray their hotel
bills, amounting to nearly 500. We cannot
close this article without referring to the no.
b1ences Of soul, Inanlincss aud proper dis
Charge Of duty, manifested BY the young gen
tlcmcn, in throwing the strong arm Of a bus
band'8 protection over these young ladies, for
It will not be forgotten that shortly after the
event alluded to, and before they left LaSaIle,
they were oil married.