The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1867-01-10
A Specimen of kentucky Mob
Law.

ate power Of prejudice, still live in the
State OF Kentucky, despite the suprem-
acy Of Government authority, and the
existence of the Civil Rights BILL. The
one defes Pshlic sentiment and trans.
, fers hecontest from the field of battle to
the polls; the other exhibits its heredi-
tary tendencies by wreaking its malice
upon the individual members Of a race
whose enfrancbisement from servitude
has left bitter and vengeful hostility in
i'll balanced minds.
At Danville, Kentucky, on the cath
day Of December last, negro man was
attempted to be subjected TO arrest by a
civil officer, for the ofense of carrying
Upon his person, exposed to view, a pis-
tol. The laws Of Kentucky authorize a
forfeiture of such weapons, borne upon
the person Of, or owned by, negro.
The negro resisted the arrest and fred
two shots at the officer, neither of which,
we have reasons to believe, took effect.
BY the aid Of others closely adjacent at
the time, the negro was arrested, dis
armed and in close custody led toward
the Jail, over two squares distant. Dur
ing the transit to prison the officer con-
tinually beat the negro upon the head
with a large hickory stick, reducing it
externally to the consistency of jelly,
while bystanders along the route offered
weapons to shoot the prisoner. When
in proximity to the prison the officer de-
liberately shot the negro through the
back, the ball passing around the body
and inficting a severe, but not necessa-
rily fatal wound. The negro was then
lodged in confinement, wounded, resist
less and bleeding. A humane physi-
clan examined bis injuries aud admins
tered medical aid. This occurred abont
five o'clock in the evening. Threats
were made by number of persons to
hang the prisoner, but no advance in
that direction was made at the time.
About II o'clock at night, with
bright moonlight shining, number of
pedestrians upon the streets, and cold
bleak wind sweeping sharply along the
thoroughfare, band Of men, whose
number is unknown, save that FIVE en-
tered the jail, obtained the keys from
the jailor's wife, by threats and mena-
ces, entered the cell, seized the negro,
and dragged him out, he being too
weak from his wounds to walk. The
pleadings of the prisoner for mercy are
said to have been heartrending, and so
touched the better nature of one OF the
party that he suggested that the law be
left to take its course, but his humane
counsels were met with curses and i'm
precautions from his accomplices, and the
voice of mercy was silenced.
The dead body of the negro was
found upon the ensuing morning, hang
ing suspended by the neck to an elm
tree, in an old graveyard, within the
limits Of Danville. 1t was soon cut
down, and lay upon the ground during
the entire day, horrible spectacle, and
visited by scores of citizens. Late in
the evening it was buried by the rela-
tives of the negro. The coroner's jury
found that he came to his death by
changing, by some persons unknown"
No effort was made by said jury to dis
cover the 'personS unknown"
And this is Danville, KY, a town not
ed for the refinement, intelligence and
literary culture Of its citizens This in
community and State claiming to res
pect the rights of man and the common
principles of justice. This in coun-
try claiming the adoption of Christiaui-
ty and due obedience to the laws of
God. Verify, the fruits of slavery are
the delights of Satan. Had the officer
of the law, when his authority was dis
puted and his person endangered; slain
The negro, justice would have pronoun-
ced it rightly an act of self-defense, and
pleaded justification, But when the
negro was under arrest, in prison, dis
armed, bleeding from his many wounds,
unable to walk, subject to the sentence
of a law that never loses its victims
whose color is prina .facte evidence of
guilt, the act of hanging was nothing
short of absolute and inevitable murder.
Now what is the sequel TO this terri
Bile tragedy? 1t is this: The civil off,
Ger is held to bail by the civil courts in
the Of $500 to answer the charge of
shooting with intent to kill; but no man
supposes that it is other than matter
of form. Even II convicted he will not
be punished. No citizen in the COM
munity where the tragedy was perpe-
trated dare publicly condemn the vtnlaw-
fuI proceedings, for fear of insult, con-
tumely, and probably personal violence.
The life of citizen would be ha5arded
by the free enunciation Of bis sentiments
in behalf of law and justice. Ir1
The occurrences of such affairs in Ken-
trcky demand the immediate interposi-
ton of the Legislature Of that State,
But we fear the action Of that body
wonld be futile against the tide Of in
veterate prejudices and educated hostil-
ity.-Cinciaadh Gazette. r
Cor THE CHIsEL-A benevolent gen.
tianIan trava1;no m tha Eraan Monn-