The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-05-31
An Abolition Mob.
Mobbing a Woman in Iowa.
IFrom. the Desmoinas States man.

fr FROM the DeSInOluoS OLStcS uau.
For few days, Indianola has been the
scene of Amazonan warfare. A dis
graceful mob, composed of women, has
given the town a Dotoriety which its we'll
disposed and orderly citizens must be
heartily ashamed of. I.appears that a
Mrs. Patterson, awidow lady, who has
been under the doctor S care for two weeks,
was peculiarly offensive to the exclusively
loyal female portion Of that town. for.
|some expressions of hostility to the Ad-Y
ministration, prior to the unfortunate.
death of Mr.. Lincoln. On the receipt
of the news of his diabolical assassina-
ton, some evil disposed person, probably
a personal enemy, gave currency to the.
report that this unprotected and invalid
woman had expressed JOY at the death of
tie President. Without giving the sub
ject the least investigation, and bidding
defiance to the laws, a number of women.
among them the wife of the Presiding
Elder of the Methodist Church, visited
the house of Mrs. Patterson, and COM
PEELED her, an invalid, to leave her house,
and carry an emblem of mourning, (which,
we understand, was flag, and march
around the town.
She protested that she had not uttered
word of exultation at the death Of the
President, and implored to confront her
with the witness; but her protestations
we're answered by the insulting reply that
she was lying. She assured them that
lshe was unable to walk the distance re-
Iquired, and if forced to perform the hu
initiating service they must carry her.
| Her protestations of innocence, her de-
mand 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 jeered at, tearing
her dress nearly off. Not content with
inficting this gross indignity upon the
sick mother, they attempted to compel
her little daughter, thirteen years of age,
to perform the same service, and because
she had spirit enoughsto resiststhe out
trage, she was beaten and bruised until
blood streamed from her nose and her
arms were black and blue. The above We
are credibly informed are facts.
| What lower depth of degradation can
lagement of public sentiment which
transforms females in the midst of schools
and churches, aud surrounded by what
ought to be Christian influences. into the
worst type of men, In Gods name, ,whai
kind of an example is this to set before
: the youth of the country? Do these wo
men desire that their sons and daughter'
should te after them, and trampl,
under foot the laws of society, humanit.
and God? Such an exhibition of heart
lessness and contempt of law, humanit..
and Christianity -disgraceful alike to tn
towns and parties engaged in tive ven
ture to say has not occurred since th
mobs of Paris which originated the blood
and disgraceful French Revolution 0
: 1898. Have our deople gone stark mad
and are the mothers and daughters o
America to live in history as the mos
degenerate oe their class?
As profoundly as we pity the poor IN
valid mother who was scourged In th
q public streets of Indianola, and who wa
ic panied by the outrages visited upon he
little daughter, we would rather thou
and times occupy her position and haI
her feelings than enjoy the unenviab
notoriety and torture of soul of those WI
!. persecute her.
= Since writing the above, We understar
that Mrs Patterson went to the Pos
master of Indianola, who was reported
the witness against her, and demand
the reason for reporting such falsehoc
9, and he denied utterly ever having hea
az or renorted anv Such thinu
"Oh, shamel where is thy blush?"