Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-08
The Cuban Lynchers.

The greatest interest is felt in the re-
suit of the trial of Graves, Poston and
Wisener before the Criminal Court, for
the murder of young Schofeld. Day by
day the horrible recital comes forth
how six strong, athletic men tortured
and murdered a boy on the false charge
of stealing two dollars. There is some
terrible mystery connected with this
crime; there is a skeleton behind the
curtain which is hid from puplic view.
Young Scho6eld was North Carolinian,
about eighteen years of age, and re-
ceived a good education in one of the
prominent schools of that State. He
was acting as Graves clerk in little
country grocery store at Cuba. The
barbecue seems to have been the place
at which the deed of blood was con-
cocted by the murderers. The charge
of stealing the two dollars was trumped
up as kind of scape-grace for better
reason; people are hardly ever hung for
stealing two dollars. The cause is said
to be that an old man had been hung in
the vicinity Of Cuba sometime before by
the murderers and young Schofeld
was cognizant of the crime, and
had threatened to reveal it. SchO-
field was arrested and tried before
Justice Carroll, who, in defiance Of all
law, committed him to Jail, although but
twenty-five cents were found on his per-
son. The Justice has passed away from
this world to better one, where his acts
will be properly adjudged. The constable
McAddin took charge of the prisoner and
was one of the lynchers. He has fled
from justice. The testimony and outside
proof show McAddin to have been a bad
man, monster, instead of a conservator
of the peace The testimony reveals a
bad state of affairs about Cuba. 1t re-
veals masked midnight riders, hangers
of men, and midnight assassins. These
crimes are called accidents by the wit
nesses, and the lynchers are described
as riding around in the character
of Ku-Klux. We fear the providers
and lynchers are the worst men that
were in the neighborhood. Men we're
afraid of their lives, and spoke of these
crimes with bated breath for fear of the
assassins. Graves seems to have been
the master-spirit of the terrible deed, al
though it is limited by knowing ones that
he was lead into it by those who are not
even suspected. He is man of medium
size, light hair aad beard. His counte-
nance indicates great determination of
character. Poston sits near him, eagerly
listening to the damning testimony. BE
is heavier man than Graves. His
features are rather heavy, and exhibit
considerable mobility Of character-one
who could be easily influenced to aid in
committing evil deeds. Wisener is
living skeleton, and presents the appear
anceof corpse. He has been suffering
from an attack of dropsy, and appears
to be at deaths door. The result Of the
trial will probably make but little differ
ence to him. He is little, dark man,
with small narrow features, indicating
cunning. He is said TO be the worst and
most dangerous man in the party; GER
tainly he is the most ignorant, and
Graves the most intelligent, if the human
face is any index to cultivation Of mind.
TEE time has come to hoist your dag
You, gentle Irish boys
Upon my word, you shall be freed
From highlands nurserie.
Strong force viii follow you. Your
friend. lNr GusT.