The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-06-23
BORDER JUSTICE.

A correspondent OF the Missouri
Democrdt at Helena. Montana, give,
the followesg account of the manner
in which they treat tho criminals in
that territory
On Thursday, April 2S, an OLD
man, farming in tho valley n few miles
from this town, came in on business,
got two much whiskcy, displayed u
wallet with some two or three hundred
dollars. and toward evening started
homo on horseback. Two young men,
uamsd Joe Wilson aud Compto on,
had spotted" him. They went to u
livery stable and hired two horses,
followed him, and about ten miles
from town shot, beat, and left him for
dead, taking his money, and returned
to the city about twelve O'Clock at
night. Tho next morning. the old man
was found on the road alive, serious
ly wounded, but able to give iuforml-
ton as to the parties who had assault.
cd him. Wilson was the first arrested.
lie was frst taken out to the wounded
man with the horse road by him the
Same evening and not positively
identified, but the horse w,s, and the
same evening tho other party WAS ar.
rested and positively identified as the
uan who fred the shots; be was
brought back and put 10 jail with the
other prisoner. On Friday afternoon
handbills were posted through the city
calling the people to meet at the Court
House square at seven o'clock, and
punctually at the hour about one
thousand citizens met and nominated n
chairman, when motion was made to
adjourn until ten o'clock A. VI. on Satur-
day, the following day. At the same
time twelve men we're deputcd to
guard the Jail until that time.
On Saturday morning at ten O'Clock,
with bright sun overhead, and y
pleasant breeze blowing from tho
mountains, the citizens met. \ freight
wagon iu the centre of the square was
made the stand or bar OF justice. \
Mr.. English was nominated as prcsi-
dent or chairman, aud his determine
ton was fully depicted in all his ica-
lures, and whoever else might shrink
there was no sign of wavering in his
face. lIo addressed few words TO
the audience on the crime committed,
and declared himself ready to do the
will and pleasure of tho meeting
Twelve mon were appinted TO exam
inc witnesses and tako evidence.
Judge Symcs here introduced him
self aud requested the citizens to hes
itate before going TO extremitics, or
at least postpone the proceedings for
one week, a. there was reason to sup
pose that Others connected with this
gang could be arrested. This had no
effect on the people present, his re
marks being looked upon as a matter
of course n part of his duty. The
twelve men then retired, and in short
time requested that their number be
increased to twenty, which was done.
la o warehouse convenient TO tho Jail
they entered, to examine aud consult.
A call was made shortly afterwards
for twelve men, to request the sheriff
to give up the prisoners, aud the
younger prisoner was brought out Of
the jail through the yard to the ware
house, where he confessed, and told
tho committee where they could Gud
part of the money buried, A party
was deputed to go and search for it,
and it was found.
Tho other prisoner was brought 10,
and found that it was Of no avail, as
his companion had confessed. and there
could be only ore decision.
About two o'clock the president
stood at tho door Of tho warehouse,
where the council were assembled, and
stated that the foreman would read the
finding Of tho committee. which WAS
that the prisoners were guilty Of muir
der and highway robbery. The next
question was, what shall be done with
tho prisoners 7 when tho cry arose,
/" Hang them r. "Hans them " 10
some instances with curses. The
dead pine tree, or Whist is known as
3" Hangman's 8 tres,' was fixed on as
the place tho time set at four o'clock
About four the people again met, some
coming in carriages, wagons, on horse
back and on foot to witness the eXe-
ton. Soon after wagon drove up
to the door, with some boards for seats
and iu tho end . packing box. The
prisoners were now attended by thAT
spiritual coufessors, and shortly alter
wards the door opened, and the first
prisouer. Wilson, . young man about
twenty-five, short, fair. aud good-look-
ing, with q soldiers jacket. stepped in
the vehicle and took bis seat, the
Methodist minister accompanying him.
Compton followed, accompanied BY one
Of the priests Of the Catholic church |;
he vas older, sppareutly, than Wilsou |;
taller with dropping shoulders, coarse
features, and anything but intelligent,
yet not by aoy means giving ono tho
idea Of q desperate character.
The president then took his seat in
front with the drivers, and several Of
tho committee occupied seats 10 the
wagon. The crowd, in carriages, wa
gons, on horsebaek, on foot, followed,
all anxious to SEQ tho prisoners. 1t
was only short distance to tho fatal
tree, which had seen some 6urteen
hung Ia the same manner. II u situ-
atad IN ono Of the nulches. In the east