The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-09-13
Horrible Outrage in Missouri.

On Thursday afternoon last, Judge Lewis
F. Wright and four OF his sons were crnelly
and inhumanly murdered By the road side,
on the rout from Rolla to Houston, some Eve
miles southwest ofthe iormer place. The
murderers, as we are informed, were COM
mitted By squad OF Miller county militia,
some nine in number, under command of
Col. Babcoke, who resides in either Miller
or Cole county
1t appears that this Col cnel and bis squad
of militia, on Tuesday last, went 10 the resi-
dence of Judge Wright. in Phelps county,
about len miles from Rolla. They remain-
ed here until Thursday. On that day they
arrested Judge Wrigh, and five of his sons.
Some sort OF an invesiig alton was made
iEto accusations brought against The parties
either fancied or real, when it was deierm-
ined to take them to Rolls, as il was given
out, for further trial. Mrs. Wright, the
wife and step-mother Of the Judge and his
sons, at first implored Col. Babcoke not to
take her family away. Finding that her en-
treaties were Ravailing she then besought
him TO permit her 10 accompany ihem.-
This was also refused, but upon her inn
ploring him TO do something for her protec-
ton, as she was fearful of being murdered
If left alone, the youngest son, a mere strip
ling, was released.
| The Judge then mounted on a horse by
himself, and his four sons upon two other
horses, under guard of the squad OF m ili,ia
ostensibly 10 be taken 10 Rolla. Before
reaching that point as above stated, they
were all inhumanIy butchered and their
bodies left lying in the brush by the road
side. No less than trOents- -siz shots ,csre fred
in the persons Of The .fve! Twelve of them
took effect in their heads. Before The bod
les were reached by thefraniic wife and
mother and remaining son, four of the Eve
were dead, and the fifth insensible and Gy-
ing.
About five O'Clock Thursday evening
word came 10 RoEa that the murders had
been committed, creating intense feelings
Of SORROW and indignation. Nothing how
ever, was done in the matter that evening
Next moroing, a wagon was sent out, and
the bodies of the five murdered men were
brought into Rolla. A gentleman who saw
them, says they presented horrible appear
ance, their faces all ghastly with wounds
and blood, and blackened with powder
Judge Wright had been sho, in the side
lace, The weapon being held SO close as 10
burn it, and leave large blotches of powder
sticking in the skin.
The Judge is represented 10 us as being
about 60 years of age, and an estimable
citizen. For the past 25 years he had resi-
ded in Phelps county, and held the Office
OF County Judge for number OF years prior
TO tie war. Ever since the beginning OF
our troubles in Missouri he had enjoyed
The confidence and esteem of the military in
command in his neigh 5orhood, his house
being frequently the stopping place OF Off
GERS whose men were camping at the
beautiful spring on his premises and near
his residence. Two gentlemen intimately
acquainted 10 Phelps, assure Us that no
more honorable or more respected citizen
lived in the county.
Ii is said that two of the murdered sons
had been in the rebe! army, and had return
lor, under whose command one of them
had served. II may be that this was the
cause inducing :he cold-blooded murder of
nearly whole family. To their credit, and
TO the credit OF the whole neighborhood, il
should be said, however, these young meE
were behaving themselves with becoming
propfiey, thd!r conduct gaining The conf
dence and good will of many Union soldiers
and citizens in that community. So indg
nalt were some OF these soldiers al The bru-
tai outrage perpetraled 10 their murder, that
they al once expressed a Willingness 10
volunteer and ''clean oul' their cowardly
murderers. And il is all the more damning
10 the lawless brigands at whose hands
this atrociiy was perpetrated, that they
should travel many miles from their homes
abiding of that community were willing to
afford them countenance and encourage:
ment
We understood that some days previous,
this Colonel Babcoke started either from
Jefferson City, or The northern part OF Mil.
Ter county, with a detachment of forty or
more men. on his errand of blood. From
thence they travelled through Miller into
Pulaski county. Near Waynesville, the
county seat of Pulaski they arrested w
Stewart, Esq, respectable citizen, former
ly Deputy Sheriff of the county, whom they
cruelty put 10 death. They also arrested
number Of men and women on their route
and woman is said 10 be still! missing,
whom these red-handed outlaws are believ.
ed TO have made away with.-Si. Lewis Re.
Publiean, august 2lst.