American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-01-17
NO.. >.

O'Clock that afternoon, with tall, well
dressed man driving, and accompanie ice
by little girl who appeared to be weep
ing.
All the way along their route similar
answers were given to their inquiries, un
til the fact was established beyond g
doubt that the stranger was making fol
the Mississippi, ana forcing their horses
to their utmost speed they pushed on. Ban
they refe too tate!
Arriving at the river they found the
horse tied to a tree, while upon the seal
of the carriage was the following letter
addressed to the owner of the horse:
DEAR SIR: am sorry to put You to so much
trouble in coming for your horse, but perhaps the
and your journey here. Please tell John Emerson
the boss at the mines, that have forgotten
my oath, and that after | have destroyed his
family one AT a time will kill him. as have sworn
to do RICHARD SMALLEY."
Then the boss knew who had his child
and why she had been stolen; but, unre-
hitting was his search, no trace of her
could be found.
Another year went past, and another
child, who had been sent after the cows,
was missing.
The hills were searched, and old
mineral holes were explored in the ex-
pectation of finding her there; while the
poor father was nearly frantic. He fear
ed the worst, and believed it to be the
work of Smalley. To confirm his belief,
he received letter from Smalley, again
reminding him of his oath. In fear and
trembling the time passed away. Every
care was taken of the remaining child,
and the father was never out of sight OF
his house.
One day the stable-keeper from Galena
I.1
you. The fellow who ran away with my
| horse and your daughter is in Galena.
! He came on the boat this morning, and l
recognized him and had him arrested.
You must come to town to appear against
him."
In the morning Mr.. Emerson went to
the village, and was soon face to face
| with the villain Smalley.
| "For Gods sake, tell me what you have
done with my girls!' exclaimed the
| father.
| "Ha! ha! Don't you wish you knew?
| Just wait until | get out of here, and I'll
show you trick you will not soon forget"
| Entreaties were of no avail-the hard
hearted wretch could not be prevailed
| upon to make known the whereabouts of
| the missing girls. A few hours later he
| was taken to the courtroom, which was
| crowded to its fullest capacity, and there
| arraigned for the crime of abduction.
In answer to the charge, he replied:
"Well, l own up; and now what are you
| going to do about it?"
This was question more easily asked
| than ans wered; however, after a consulta-
ton with Mr.. Emerson the judge replied:
| II Will tell you. If you will restore the
| children to their father, and promise never
| to modest him again, you can go free"
And what if | WON'T"
Then you must suffer the penalty of
your crimeI"
The Judge had hoped that the prisoner
might be induced to give up the girls; but
his hone failed him Thinking that
another nights confinement would bring
the prisoner to terms, the Judge remanded
him to Jail to remain until the following
day. But he did not remain.
In the middle of the night the TAILOR
was seized, bound and gagged; the Jail
broken open, and the prisoner removed.
Half an hour afterward crowd of men
appeared at the house of MIR. Emerson,
with the prisoner in charge.
'Iou see, we thought we would take
the law into our own hands; so we've
brought him out here, and intend to hang
him."
'But if you do that l shall never find
my children" said Mr.. Emerson.
"Yes you will, too! just wait and see
if we don't make him confess. Give us Il
rope and we will show you,"
A long rope was procured, and, tying
an end to each of the prisoners thumbs,
it was thrown over the limb of small
burr-oak near by, and stretched up until
nearly his whole weight rested upon his
thumbs.
The torture was excruciating, and he
begged to be let down.
"Now, will you tells" demanded the
leader.
tbo ha
was again suspended and it was not until
after he had promised that he was let
down. Then he gave all the particulars
and told where the girls could be found,
adding: after you get them you'll let
me go, 'spose?"
Swift messengers We're Immediately dis
patched for the stolen girls, and returned
with them early in the day. The priso-
ncr in the meantime had been securely
bound and concealed in mineral hole,
and his captors returned to Galena before
daylight.
Great CONSERVATION was manifested
when the jailor was discovered, and it
was learned that the bird had flown
And the wonder did not cease when it
was ascertained that the missing girls
had been returned.
That night the party who had removed
the prisoner again took him in hand, but
this time the rope was about his neck in
stead of his thumbs.
"What are you going to do:" he asked
in dismay.
"Hang you," was the reply.
Then he became frightened, and call |
ing TO Mr.. Emerson, he said, Il will tell |
you where you can find the money and |
watches | stole when | worked here, If |
you will set me free; and I'll promise |
never to modest you again"
Judge Lynch and the jury heard the |
proposal as well as Mr.. Emerson, and by |
sundry pulls upon the rope made him |
confess where the property was buried.
While Mr.. Emerson and several others |
went in search of it, Judge Lynch said, |
''NOw is good time to end this trial;
string him up!'
When the miner and his party returned, |
there hung the prisoner-dead- Judge |
Lynch and his party were out of sight, |
and were never more seen in Galena.-
Chscug0 Inter Oceua.
Iauk;uS "a. France