The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-07-14
A HUSBANDS REVENGE.
A Terrible Crime Terribly Avenged
Lynch Law I'm BKissOuri-An Out.
ragged Husband am AvenginR Mem.


Lynch Law I'm MissOuri-An Out.
RACED Husband AN AveBging Mem.
esiS. -s.+-r- .-
Correspondence ofthe st. Louis Republican
SPRINGFIELD, Mo-, June "a, 1871.
A colored man, named Isbel, about
eighteen years old, committed rape
on the wife OF Peter Christian, living in
the north part of the city, on Monday
last. 1t was dastardy, brutal affair,
committed in the absence of her hus.
band who is a laborer. Christian at
once had hand-bill issued, giving a
description OF the criminal, and offering
one hundred dollars reward for his ap.
prehenslon. At once a large party
started in pursuit, and raasacked every
thicket, grove and field in the vicinity
of the town and rumors were rife
tat the criminal had. been seen.
now here, now there, and almost
everywhere, and it was believed that he
was still lurking about town.
The excitement in regard to the affair
was deep, but not noisy. A great
many people Joined the hunt with old
guns, pistols, knives and clubs, and
travelled in squads for prudent reasons,
but still Isbel was at large, and was not
brought to bay until Friday, when he
was arrested near Verona, about thirty.
five miles from here, and brought by
his captors to Springfield, where he ar
rived on Saturday morning. He was
conducted to the center of the public
square, and surrounded by crowd Of
about fifty to seventy-five persons, and
it appeared that he was about to be
strung up without delay. The ringlead.
ers, four or five in number, stood guard
over the prisoner with drawn pistols
and parley Of half an hour occurred,
in which Titus Hayes, teacher Of the
colored school, undertook to appeal to
the mob in behalf of law and order, but
he was quickly hustled out Of the way.
Still the mob was very quiet and or
derby one, and, we must say, seemed to
hesitate. The man who arrested Isbel
was reluctant to deliver up his prisoner
until he received his reward.
Finally Christian took the prisoner
by the arm, started up Boonville street,
followed by crowd Of men and boys.
Arriving at large oak tree on the
creek bottom, about midway between
the two colored churches, used for
schools, halt was made, and, with
little delay, a rope, or rather two, were
thrown over projecting limb, the
victim was seated on horse, the moose
put over his neck by Christian, and the
horse suddenly started from under him.
But mob justice was cheated for the
moment. The victims feet dragged on
the ground. 1t was horrible sight.
Rough arms lifted the struggling
wretch while a man on the limb gath
cred up the slack rope, and after two or
three ehastly attempts, the deed was in
fair way OF accomplishment when a
pistol-shot rung out. Quickly a stream
of blood saturated the breast and cloth
inc of his victim and the body of lsbel
swung dead.
Isbcl was Il short, stocky-built and
full black man, and had a boyish ap.
pearance. lie is said to have confessed
his crime, and was fully identified 10y
Mrs. Christian. The mob was very Or
derby, and fixed purpose to hang was
apparent; but whether our officers OF
the law and the Sheriff, who were all
near by or present, were justified IN
their prudence, is for the public to de-
eide. Certainly no attempt was made
bv them at interference. Not a dozen
rods from the spot where this tragedy
was performed similar one was enact
ed a dozen years ago.