The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1870-11-17

He n Brought Here and Lodged In
jail.
Narrow Escape from Lynehing at
Weston.

~ Iuhoi WSs SciicioAy CuAicut III tHc City,
Tuesday morning, that Reddick, the muir
derer of Lykins, had been hung by mob 1t
Weston, on the night previous. Some sur
prise was therefore created, about noon, by
the arrival of Deputy Sheriff Robt. Palmer,
and officer Matt. Malone, with the prisoner
safe and unframed.
Mr.. Palmer received Reddick from the
hands Of the authorities there ON Monday
afternoon, and at once proceeded to- the
ferry. There was great excitement in the
town, which was augmented by the presence
of an unusual number of persons from the
surrounding county, where hostility to the
prisoner was plainly to be seen. As the Off
cers were coming away, report was circu-
lated to the effect that Palmer and Malone
had been paid s. 900, on condition that they
would permit Retidick to escape, after Cross
ing into Kansas. As is usual in such cases,
nine-tenths of the people gathered in the
vicinity believed the report, ~ men under
excitement are too apt to do, and the officers
were ,pursued and Overtaken at the ferry
BY number of men, armed and mounted,
who demanded the delivery of the prisoner
into their hands. This, Palmer peremporiiy
refused to do, but said that if they insisted
upon his giving Reddick up, he would take
him back and give him over to the proper
authorities in town; he would never deliver
his prisoner to a crowd of irresponsible per-
sons. They acquiesced, and Palmer took
the man back to Weston, and returned him
to the hands of the authorities.
The excitement throughout the town con-
tinued, and it became evident that large
number of the boldest among the mob had
decided to lynch the prisoner. This was
about IL o'clock at night. The Missouri Of
ficers then became alarmed, and asked Sheriff
Palmer to take the prisoner and run him out
Of the county. This, Palmer refused to do.
He told them he could have removed Red
dick in safety long before, if he had had
proper cooperation, but that he would not
attempt it now, while the excitement rem
dered it almost certain that the ap-
pearance of the murderer would be the
signal of his speedy death. Mr.. Palmer told
them, however,, that he would meet them
at any point on the border Of the county, and
at any hour they might name, and there and
then receive the prisoner. BY this time cries
of chang him." chang, him. began to be
heard, and one man produced piece of
rope evidently intended for the purpose, and
swinging it in front of window of the room
where Reddick was under guard, cried God
damn you, this is what you will be strnng
on" The credit of allaying this excitement
is accorded to Mr.. Lykins, father of the muir
dered man, who went around xamong the
crowd, using his influence against violence.
He told them that if the man was lynched
the public would point to him as one of the
principal ringleades, because he was known
to be present; that he was law abiding citi-
zen and did not wish to have the crime Of
mobbing charged upon him, and he hoped
they would give way in order that the off,
GERS of the law might do their
duty nnmolested. Othe right minded
men also exerted persuasive arguments
against violence, and at last the crowd agreed
that the Kansas officers should be permitted
to take their prisoner, provided a number
of citizens of Platte County were allowed to
them to LeavenwOrth. Sheriff
Palmer replied that all the people in Mis-
souri, could come to LeavenwOrth If they
desired; the road was public one, and he
didn't know of anything to prevent the
people of one State travelling in another, If
they were 80 inclined-if they only paid
heir ferriage. Accordingly, yesterday fore
noon they came over with Reddick in close
hack, handcufied, and followed by molly
and rather formidable body guard, in whom
4 faint suspicion still lurked that our officers
we're on 5000 business .f'.'.
Thus ended the excitement which created
The r,unor of lynching received here yester-
lay, and which very few people doubted.
Officers Palmer and Malone are entitled to
credit for their judicious behavior. A slight
on their part would doubtless
have worked serious consequences. The
prisoner persistantly denies all knowledge of
he murder, and places some stress on what
ne alleges to be an inconsistency in the time
It which the crime was committed, and the
ime of his arrival in Leavenworth. He will
,e examined tomorrow afternoon, COM
nencing at o'clock, before Justice Rees.