The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-07-30
FROM WOOD COUNTY.
The Terrible Tragedy at Bowling Green
Pull Particulars Of the Attempt to
Lynch the MurSerer---sIis Rescue BIS
ttle Sheriff.
=. poc, G., o3, 1oen

tfie Sheriff.
BOWLING GREEN, July 22l, 1869,
Correspondence of the Jenersonian.
EDITORS JEFy. Yours of the
18th is at hand requesting IN account
of the tragedy that took place here
on the Sd. As the passion that has,
like cloud of horror, darkened tic
minds of the community for some
time, has somewhat abated, 1 will
venture to give as fair and truthful
a statement of the unfortunate affair
as | can. II would have been very
unpopular at, or soon after tie 81, to
nave limited that there were two
sides to the question, or to express q
doubt as to the truth of the many
extrayagant reports that we're flying
in every direction through the COM
nunity. AS long as L attempt TO
act as a chronicler, j will try and be
impartial:
a very peaceable, neighborly fami-
ly by the name of Lundy, and kind
of foolish, eccentric man by the
name of Philips have, for some years,
been neighbors, living on adjoining
farms three miles southeast of this
place. A misunderstanding. in rela-
ton to a ditch occurred between
them, sometime ago, which finally
eliminated in suit in court, which,
| believe, is yet pending. Mr.. Philips
took the matter very much to heart,
and imagined himself terribly wrong
ed, and probably brooded over the
matter until his weak mind became
deranged on the subject, and he
probably annoyed the Lundys intol
erably, however, ,coniining his annoy
auce to backbiting, and the pronounc
ing of poetical benedictions over the
Lundy family. 1t is said that, in
consequence Of this annoyance, a
brother of the deceased at one time
assaulted Philips upon the street.
Philips, it seems, has for some time
back carried q revolver, and it is
reported that he frequently threaten
ed the life of some OF the Lnndys.
However, no attention was paid to
his threats. Though he was consider
ed very indicative man, he was
not considered dangerous. About two
osolo.l- On fba 0I nl1 NJ I u,xix, Ia f4
the grove, where the celebration was
being held, to return to town TO dine
with his son-the deceased-accom-
panied by his wife and one or two
other friends. AS lac was entering
the gate leading to the door o. his
sons home, he was accosted by
Philips who, it seems, had been
walking behind him from The grove.
Some words were addressed to
AIR. Lnndy by Mr. Philips in rela
ton to the ditch. What bIr Lun-
dy's reply was, or whether The con-
yersation Has OF gu angry nature ort'
not, has not occurred. However, the
deceased Lundy was at the lime in
the house, ,and it is said saw a revolv-
er in the hands of Philips, and at
once rushed out, leaped the fence and
placed himself between his father
and the threatened danger; then took
hold of Philips and either attempted
to push him back orturn him around.
At that moment he received the fatal
wound that so wrung the hearts OF
his parents and young wife. He fell
partially to the ground, but instantly
recovered himself,and at once leaped
back over the fence, entered the )
house and called for his gun; in an
instant afterwards he exclaimed, '
''My God, be has shot me.' Five
after this he was found q =
corpse. Dfs. Rogers and Manvi.le
were called, and upon examination {
the ball was found to have passed I
through the union of the short ribs
Of the left side, penetrating the heart. =
The deceased was. on tire next day, y y
Sunday the 4th, followed to his grave .
by one OF the largest funera! process
sions that was ever with essed in this y
part of the country. The services,
conducted by the Rev. hIr. Irons, 4
we're held In the grove, where, but u
only the day before, the citizens met, t
rith feelings so very much in con ;
,rast. The deceased was abontttl
yeats OF age, and had been q
married but about eight months lie 0
served his country during the rebel. p
ion, for four years, enduring much o
suffering aud encoanterins as many q
hangers, perhaps, as auy OF his fel a
0w soldiers = participating in q e
1umber OF hard fought battles, prov a
ne himself true soldier. He was a
, peaceable, industrious, unassuming 9
citizen, aud was q great loss to tiie d
and friends. eE 80 a
Mr.. Philips at once retyeateti has
lily to the office OF Justice Colt, sur b
rendered himself mp, and said what z
ne had done was in self defence and d
ne was willing to abide by the law, o
Dr. something to that effect The u
,flice was soon throDged by an infu- Il
rated crowd OF men and boys. all
crying for the life of the terrified
man they soon went to violence,
him to the door, beating
lim and tearing his clothes By q
efforts on the part Of a i
lew the crowd was expelled from the o
office, leaving Philips covered with r
blood, hair dishoveled, clothes torn, e
pants, and a small portion OF linen u
coat and shirt remaining. The door 81
and back of the Office continued toI g
be besleged by sn infuriated and a
increasing crowd, CON a
,tantly crying out, "Hapg him 4
Hang him ?" Prosecuting Attorney d
Brown, Minton Lease, and others, a
the crowd, but failed to d
entirely pacify it. In about an hour
he door was again forced open aud
,he Office filled with men. However, ;:
no violence was at the time offered =
Philips, the crowd seeming to have !"
become less clamOrous but more de- Z
termined. At this time, those who =
wished to turn the wretched man /"
over to the officers Of the law, gave = !:
up all hope of doing so, and Justicel !!
Colt informed him that il he had :
ANYTHING to do he had better be :.
at it, as his time was evidently short. :,
He advised him to pray, and it is ."
said, remarked, in his kindness OF
A.. 4,