The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-09-25
Lynch LaVv-The FIRST Case in Americs
Where and How II Was Held.

In the Autumn of 1899, the settlement in
Ohio at Columbia, contained less than a
score of log cabins Most of them were
near the bank of the Ohio, short distance
below the mouth of the Little Miami The
most prominent of the settlers were General
John S. Gano, Rev Stephen Gano, William
Goforth, John Rely, francis Dunlevy (af-
forwards President judge, Jacob White,
Ephram Kibby, Luke Foster, afterwards
judge, Rev John Smith, afterwards
United States Senator), John Brown, James
Finn, Thos. Hubbell, Colonel Oliver Spen-
Ger. Major Benjamin Stiles, Hezekiah
Stiles Elijah Mills, Edmund Buxton, Peter
Sken Smith, james Seward, Thomas G.
Wade, Benjamin Shoemaker, Evan Shelby,
Allen Woodruff, Joseph and Benjamin Cox.
One Of the most useful men in this new
colony in the wilderness was Peter Sken
Smith, a shrewd and skilful artisan, he
only amongst them all could repair and keep
in working order the only hand mill in the
settlement, used almost constantly for grind
ing their Indian corn. This be did by
softening the steel, filing it sharp and then
hardening it.
A trader from Redstone Old Fort now
Williamsport), on the Monongahels, arrived
with small Kentucky boat laden with
flour and other produce of which the pio-
ncers in their new settlement were much in
need. So welcome was his arrival that they
lent him willing aid to carry up his dozen
barrels OF -four and pile them between two
trees, that they might be safe from the per-
lis of the river. Next morning it was
found that one of the barrels had mysteri-
ously disappeared during the night, much
to the surprise Of the trader and indigna-
ton Of the villagers. They speedily as
sembled together and were not long in com
ing to a conclusion that one Of their own
members had stolen the -four. II was ina
mediateiy determined, mem. c,,lf., that gen
eral search should be made. some Of tic
principal citizens proposing that their own
domiciles should be examined first. This
was speedily done, but not until tile four
teenth house was searched was the lost bar
rel found, in The cabin Of Peter S. Smith,
who proved to be the Achan Of the vii
lage. They unhesitatiBgly arrested him.
lie submitted with very bad grace. When
informed they would proceed 70 try him
for the felony. with provoking aHg froid
he demanded their warrants. well knowing
that from want OF civil organization there
could he none.
Having no leader with supreme authority.
ike Joshua OF old they formed themselves
into a lynch law court. and after fair trial
found him guilty Of larceny and sentenced
linn with forty stripes save one, according 10
Hebrew law. and that ne make restitution
Of the stolen flour TO the owner Smith now
dared them t0inlict so ignomini0ns s pun
isllmcnt without authority 81 law. They
procured a stout cord with each end 81
which they tied bis thumbs and then carry.
ing a line over q heavy thorn-busb, pro.
ceeded 10 execute the sentence Ol tleiI
own court with q good viii: each 81 tic
thirteen giving him their stripes with =
hickory uithc. With his idegradiug pun
ishnncnt AZ holiness and daring forsopk
him. He repaired 20 bis cabin, but was
never afterwards seen IN lie settlement. n
was supposed BE fonad lis way 90 che lails
~ TIE Ohio and there enlisted - ic United
States Army This statement is.mlle On
tie authority % one ~ the most Fespecta-
hiemcmbers 81 tilat primitive court. RE late
Judge Foster