The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1865-03-09

murder, happened to meet him and re.
cognized him. McComb had been in
the employ Of this young soldiers father
for three years, near Rockford Illinois,
and was recognized by him Instantly
The soldier being oognizant Of the mur
der. and the fact tha, McComb and the
girl left Rockford together Immediately
informed the proper officers Of the fac,
who started at once to find the indi,
vidnal. lie was found at the saloon,
just as he had concluded trade with q
man for horse, for which he paid $50
When arrested, he quickly asked "what
f'r?" hnt made no resistance. The
man who had soI1 him the horse agreed
to give him back sl7O, and retake the
horse, which was agreed upon. He
seemed flush With money, and e,incei
not the least uneasiness. lie said
nothing about the affair, and onl, re-.
marked that all he wanted was a fair
trial. His business at that time ap
pcarcd to be bounty jumping
When brought to this place he ap,
pcared cheerful and conve-sed freely
with visitors. He admitted that he was
McComb they were afier-,hat he once
lived near Rockford, but said his name
was Lansing B McComb, instead OF
Benja,ni A. McComb. He said that
he had been here before, and that he
knew George Lawrence, but knew
nothing Of the murder Of the Harvey
family. Soor afe, being lodged in
Jail, he employed attorneys to defend
him, but We rever learned whether he
made any etlo,t to get proof Of bis in.
nocence Or not, at least at his trial lie
had none.
HIS TRIAs.
On Tuesday, June 7,h, 1861, the
trial of Is. A. McCoirb. commenced
before the District Court, then in ses-
sion. When the case was called he
appeared by his counsel, and filed his
plea of mot guilty. Two applications
were made FIR continuance. one Of
wn.:ch was overruled, and the ohter
granted, but the continuance was
ay ,ilea on the part Of the State BY ad
mitting that he conia prove the sllega.
tions set ont in his affidavit. About
oEt huaarei persons were summoned
before a jury could be formed. There
was some excitement attending the
trial, bu, it was no. Of such character
as to prevent bis having fair, impar.
tial hearing. The trial was ably con.
duc;ea on both sides The testimony
of the witnesses cosresponaei. The
charge of,he Judge to the jury was
able and comprehensive. Daring the
trial the prisoner seemed perfectly calm
and easy, apparently taking great IN
tercst in the testimony.
After The charge Of the Judge, and
jury retired and remained out some
three qna,te's Of an hour, when they
returned with the following verdict:
I'VE the jury, find the defendant
guilty Of murder IN the frs. degree.
On Wednesday. June 14'h, the time
havirg arrived tor the sentence, the
prisoner was brought into court, and
the sentence of death passed upon him
When the Judge asked him if he could
show any cause why sentence should
net be pronounced against him, .. if
he had anything to say, he replied, II
don't know as l have" The cour,
then sentenced him 10 hung on the . til
Of July, at II o'clock noon. The pris.
oncr received the scntenne without
any arparen, emotion, preserving the
same Indifference lha, he did through
out the trltl.
The case was taken to the Supreme
Court, and consequently he was not
hung on the day appointed.
A MoB-TnE JalL ENrEREp AND M'coMn
TAKEN OUT TO BE HUNG.
On the day fixed by the District
Cou,t for McComb to be hung, grea,
many people from the country, who had
not perhaps heard Of the postponemen
Of the execution, or who did not be.
lieve it, came in to witness the prisoner
receive his punishment. By noon OF
| that day the streets were crowded with
people, old and Young, but up to this
time nothing transpired to indicate any
unlawful purpose on the part of the
multitude. Shortly after noon, however
impelled seemingly by common pur
pose, the crowd gathered around the
jail, and the leaders, some dozen per.
sons, asovel their purpose TO take
the prisoner cut and hang him. Sew.
Y