The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-09-05
Aitllmond Dispatth.
WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 5, 1866.
4 Negro Lynched I'm Michigan-HOr.
rid and BlasphemOus Scenes He is
Hung to q ThOrn.sApple" " Tree.

4 Negro Lynchcd I'm Michigan HOr.
rid and Blasphemous Scencs-He Is
Hung to ThOrn-"Apple Tree.
We published yesterday morning brief
sketch, condensed from a very long &C.
count, of the attempted killing of the wife
little daughter, and mother -in-law of Mr.
John Buck, of Delhi, Michigan. A later
account informs us that the negro was
lynched. This account has some features
so revolving that we would not publish il
but that it develops acts, sentiments, and
| opinions in a section Of the Union whose
radicaism on the subjects which have agi-
tated the nation give them a striking sig
nificance, and make this narrative n part
of the history Of the times
From the Jackson (Michisanl Citizen.
John Taylor, tho octoroon who attempt
ed to murder the Buck family at Delhi
Michigan, on Friday night, met a speedy
punishment for his dabolical crime at Ma
son on Monday night. 1t will be recol-
lectcd that he attempted to murder the
wife, daughter, and mothcr-in-law of Mr..
Buck, and then escaped. None of the
| family have yet died, but ii is thought that
| the daughter cannot recover. After his
capture he was lodged in Jail at Mason, the
shire town of 1ngham county. On Mon
day night at about o'clock twenty men,
armed with rifles, marched into the quiet
village of Mason, and proceeded to the
county Jail. They were followed by
| twenty more, armed with rcvolvers. They
were under command Of one George Nor
ton, of Delhi. They approached the JAIL
and were met by Sheriff Moody. They
acquainted the sheriff with their mission,
stating they wished to get possession OF
the negro. The sheriff and deputy pro-
tested against their action. The crowd then
rushed up the stairs to the door three of
them seized the sheriff and held him.
A sledge was then brought, and the
door of the negro's cell Knocked off.
He was taken out, when some of the
mob proposed to shoot him on the spot,
others that he be hung there. Sheriff
Moody came forward and stated that as
they had taken from his custody the negro,
they should not hang him there, and re-
questcd them to take him elsewhere. The
captain of the gang spoke and said that ont
Of respect to the citizens of Mason and the
sheriff they would 90 elsewhere to execute
the culprit. They then repaired to place
about a half mile northwest of the village,
near the railroad, and halted in front of a
thorn-applc tree. 4 fire was kindled, a
rope thrown over limb Of the tree, and
the moose adjusted around the prisoners
neck. A ring was then formed, and Mr..
Buck permitted to question Taylor. He
confessed the crime with which he was
charged, but denied that he had ever
killed any one. The poor wretch trembled
in every limb, and so great was his fright
that he once tainted. He soon revived,
and upon being further questioned, stated
that he had threatened TO kill man at
| Pulaski once, but did not carry out his
threat. He was then prepared for cXccu-
| ton. He asked Bucks forgiveness for
what hc had done.
Some one here called for minister to
pray for the negro; 40 one responded a
call was then made for some processing
Christian to offer up a prayer. Still 10
response: when a low, drunken fellow
named Cook, of Eaton Rapids, came for
ward, and said lie would pray for the
damned niger. lie then began bias
phcmous address in the shape of prayer.
concluding by saying he hoped that if the
nigger went to heaven, God would put him
among the niggcrS there, but that he hoped
the negro would go to hell, where all mig.
gers ought to 90. When this wretch had
finished his blasphcmous harangue, some
one shouted for the captain to give the
word. The captain was not to be found
| The lieutenant was then called upon; he
stated he had done all he should, and de-
clined to have anything further to do Will
the matter. Cook then stepped forward
and said he would take charge of the
affair. He then counted one, two, three
and gave the word. The rope wa:
quickly pulled, and the body of the
would-bc murderer was swinging in the
air. Not a muscle moved, nor were there
any signs Of life after he was pulled up
1t was thought he died before the word
was given, being frightened to death. The
body hung for fifteen minutes, when il
was cut down. Several wished to shoot a,
| the body while hanging, but were re.
, strained. The lynchcrs then proceeded
| TO dig grave at the foot of the tree, in
which they proposed to bury the body
| The owner of the land came forward and
protested against the burial, and the corpse
was then thrown into wagon and carried
off. Thus ended the last act ofthe drama
| The whole affair was characterized by in,
humanity and lawlessness, the victim being
numerically dragged to his death by hi:
cowardly lynchers.
The country has already had enough OF
mob law, and we hope the lynchers will be
dealt with as they deserve. We learn that
efforts arc being made to capture the ring
leaders in this barbarous affair. We trust
they may be apprehended and punished
1t is stated that the negro was not Of sound
mind, and his conduct from the beginning
of the tragedy denoted imbecility.