The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-06-16
Mobbing A Woman in Iowa.
l. -aIo - IL

For flew days, Indianola has been the
scene of Amazonian warfare A disgraceful
mob, composed of women, has given the town
q. notorleiy which IFS well-dsposed and orderly
pears that a Mrs Patterson, a widow lady
who has been under the doctors care for two
weeks, was peculiarly offensive to the exclusive
ly loyal female portion of that town, for some
expressions Of hostility to the Administration
prior 10 the unfortunate death Of Mr.. Lincoln.
On the receipt Of the news Of his dibolical
assassination, SOM evil disposed person, prob
ably personal enemy, gave currency to the
report that this unprotected and invalid wo-
man rad expressed joy at the death of the
President.-W:;,.out giving the subject the
least investigation and bidding defiance to the
laws, number of women among them the
wife of the Presiding Elder of the Methodist
Church, visited the house of Mrs. Patterson,
and compelled her, al invalid, to leave her
house, and carry an emblem ofmourning, which
we understand, was flag, and march around
the town.
She protested that she had not uttered 8
word of exuitation at the death of tie Preei-
dent, and implored to confront her with the
witness; but her protestations were answered
by the insulting reply that she was lying. She
assured them that she was unable TO walk the
distance required, and if forced TO perform the
humila!ing service they must carry her. Her
protestatiors OF innocence. her demand for the
proof; her widowhood, and even the precarious
condition of her health, had no power to move
their pity. Go she must, and they forced her
out of the house, and dragged her around the
streets TO be scoffed and ieered at, tearing her
dress nearly OF. Not content with inficting
these gross indgnities upon the sick mother
they attempted to compel her little daughter,
thirteen years Of age, to pc rform the same scr
vice, and because she had spirit enough to re-
sist the outrage she was beaten and bruised
until blood streamed from her nose and her
arms were black and blue. The above, we are
credihly informed. are facts
What lower depth of degradation can we
reach, than the existence and encouragement Of
a public sentiment which transforms females,
in the midst of schools and churches, and sur
rounded by what ought to be Christian inRu-
ences into the worst type Of men. In Gods
name, what kind Of an examples this to set
before the youth Of the country? Do these
women desire that their sons and daughters
should pattern after them, and trampe under
foot the laws of society, humanity and God!
Such an exhibition of heartlessness and con-
tempt for law, humanity and Christianity
disgraceful alike TO the town and the parties
engaged in i've veture to say has not occur
red since the Tnobs Of Paris which originated
the bloody and dIsgracefnl French Revolution
of 1898. Have our people gone stark mad,
and are the mothers and daughters of America
to live in history as the most degenerate type
of their class
As profoundly as we pity the poor invalid
mother who was scourged in the public streets
of Indianola, and who was panied by the out
reyes visited upon her little daughter, we would
rather a thousand times occupy her position
and have her feelings than enjoy the unenviable
notoriety and torture of the soul Of those who
persecute her.
Since writing the above, we understand that
Mrs Patterson went to the postmaster of Indi-
anola, who was reported as the witness against
her, and demanded the reason for reporting
such fashood, and he denied utterly ever
having heard or reported any such thing.