The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-27

to Grafton / found that on the night before
they had burned down old Hingham's station,
near the town. and roasted him to death in his
own bonfire"
"What " exclaimed two or three voices to-
gether, " old Peter bingham burned up ,"
"Yes, / saw his bones in the ashes myself,
lying crouched up just as the devils had bound
him and tossed him into the flames"
The speaker paused moment in Difference to
the shudder that ran round the seven faces at
the board, and then continued:
" But the worst part of the story is to come.
have reason to believe that our three best
men, John Long, Judge Fox and Bob Birch,
were in the hut of bingham at the time of the
burning. and from what heard about the town
among the lynchers one or two Of them must
have been nearly cut to pieces IN the escape
This may be mere bombast on their part to
Offset the death Of one Of their own party, but
if 1t is true l suppose our wounded friends are
at the bottom OF the Mississippi for they en-
barked for the west side and heard nothing
Of them "a / came up on that shore"
g You have brought rs bad news indeed
said Kllgore, with gloomy look. +" If John
Long or Fox be hlled, we have met with loss
that will not be repaired for years"
Or if Birch be lost either said fellow
named West, with half reproachful scowl
that his particular friend should be left out OF
the doeful epitaph.
Yes, or Birch either. said KIlgore mechan-
ically and nodding an endorsement to West.
How was the fellow struck at Grafton,
whom the boys killed I: said Louther, Was
he shot or cut'"
- His head was nearly severed from his body
/ by downward blow OF the bowie knife" said
Young.
- \ thousand dollars TO a cent that wa John
Longs blow exclaimed Jack Redden Of
] Devils Creek with enthusiasm.
AS that's long odds, I'll take it in favor OF
T ox," said Louther.
And I'll take it over again in favor OF Birch"
said West.
Order exclaimed Klgore, exercising the
( prerogative OF chairman, with a blow of bis fist
that made the glasses on the table dance. This
ls no place for idle chafing. Let us take
drink all foind 10 the safe l'eilYerapGe o. our
comrades, and proceed to take measures to
render thetn assistance or revenge then death.
" hats the talk " exclaimed three or four
| OF the council Of ruffians, hammerGg their
! glasses on the board in appreciation Of the
/ speakers sentiment.
Before this applause had ceased another knock
at fhe door announced the arrival Of a new
gueu. who after due precaution was admitted
in.
The psw conner was a small, well formed and
remarkably good looking young man OF twenty
two or twenty-three years Of age. His COM
pexion was as fair as that Of woman, his
forehead was prominent and high. while his
large clear hazel eyes and dark, auburn hair
made up one Of the fine - countenances ever
gwen to man. As soon ~ he presented him
self at the board an involu utary round of ap-
plause greeted his appearance. aud KIlS ore, IN
the name of the company, ruse and welcomed
Hiram Long lie was the more welcome be-
cause he had not been expected, Snd his appear
ance, at the expense OF a long journey from
Owen county Indiana, where Ire usually re-
sided with his mother the widow OF Johns
unc!e, promised tIdings OF Importance,
we are glad to see you, Hiram, my boy, "
sad the chairman OF the council repeasrng his
greeting. We have had bad news o1 your
COUSIN, John and our comrades, Fox and Birch,
and we hope you bring Us word thai will nsnd
our sorrow"
1t is on that business l am here. " said Hisan,.
with the diffidence OF man who felt awed by
the congregated experience around HIM. Z" 1t
seems you have heard OF the disasters at Grafton
and Sharrots Grove, and probably got 1t from
Mr.. Young, who ! see is here, aud who was
good enough to dispatch messenger to us In
owen county With the tdIngs he collected IN
his journey up the river, but l got full informa
ton on the day after bis messenger arrived
and hearing OF this meeting have come here to
lay 1t before you"
Let's have it,-lets have it I! E" cried several
VOICES
We'll, then, my COUSIN and his comrades are
safe" said Hiram. What is more. none of
them were hurt. and what is better still, they
have made a five thousand dollar strike on
Macoupin creek and are now on their way to
this place by the route of the Illinois river. IL
nothing interferes with them they will be at
Hennepin in three days, and here in week.
This brilliant news electrified the company.
and three cheers we're given in succession for
John Long, Judge Fox and Bob Birch When
the acclamation had subsided and order was
restored, a few questions were put as to the
accuracy of the latter information, and Long
explained that it came by the way of Burns, of .
Hamburger, on the Mlssssippi, where the three
marauders had stopped on the night of the
MacOupin robbery, and that Burns emissary
had reached Owen county nearly as soon as
Young's, from the fact that the latter person
had been delayed by various obstacles in his
northern progress.
Eleven o'clock having now arrived and It
being decided that no further delay was due TO
expected visitors Kigore, the presiding ruilian.
stated that the business Of the meeting was TO
take into consideration the condition of two
members Of the clan, who had been arrested
near Dubuque for murder, and contriye meas
ures for their defence or extrication. The first
means TO this end was stated by the chairman
to be to engage proper counsel the next. IN