The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-08-10
Written for The Spirit of Democracy.
The Sardfs sNsurdnr..Ifs Mnsal

hC SaHNlS Us
= The accounts, published in The SpIR-
IT,of this awful tragedy are truly sad..and
startling in the extreme. To ME these
accounts may be, and indeed necessarily
must be, more sadly interesting than to
many others. They are remembrances
of events which sorro row-stricken hearts
would gladly forget. Nothing less than
an earnest desire and hope to benefit
some who may perchance read these
lines, induces me to refer to occurren-
ces SO unpleasant to dwell upon.
Thirty eight years ago, my life on
earth began about midway between
iWoodsield and Beallsville, and within
the boundaries of Monroe County the
greater part of my life has been spent
especially my earlier years. Then and
there my first acquaintances were made,
friendships established and Impressions
received Beneath her soil threq broth
ers, one sister, and as good mother as
God ever gave, now "sleep their last
Sleep" Se@ iIBil
These and other circumstances make
whatever incidents that connect them
selves with her history, whether they be
Of a prosperous or adverse character, aft
the more interesting ami important to
me. The springs and the rivuets, the
hills ana the fields, and also the wood
lands of "Old Monroe" my native coun.
~. will to me never lose their charms -
Whatever adds lustre to her reputation
on the one hand, or.tarnishes it on the
other, affects me accordingly: either pleas.
antly or sorrowfully, as it must every
other person who feels for her welfare a
like concern. Consequently, there is
room for great grief on The part of all
well wishefs of their fellow citizens, ,ovel
the bloody and brutally murderous deed
recently committed at SardIs.
What does all this mean? And wha,
is toabe done to prevent like occur
rence9 Let US pause and think a mo
ment. The capturing of George Barker
and his brother Ben, and putting then
through course of law, may satisfy
those who think and feel specifically re
speoting the moral status of society, bu
those who have better appreciation o
the demands of high degree of civil
cation and christianization will not be
and cannot be, so easily satisfied.
Readersdo you ask, "Are you in. ia
|vor Of lynching them?' answer une
|quivocally No. The Barkers are men
Very bad men, we know, but still the,
are men, and as such, they must now bt
treated in harmony with the laws of tn
country Of which they are citizens
What have they done more than ha
been done several times before in Mon
roe County ,even within my recollection
They got drunk, and thus became tool
with which, in the hands Of whisky sci
lers, to commit murder. In this case
happened Chat the victim was a liquo
seller l rejoice in no mans death o
injury but feel much better satisfied witt
the result-than il the victim had beel
some innocent woman or child, as is OF
ten the ease: "a
Some one might suggest that there i
one way in which the result mig hit hav
beek bettered, viz: by Mrs NJ. dealin,
out such blows with that poker, on tn
pates of both murderers of her bus
| band, as would have been to them ais,
constant quiet; after which she shoul
have (should do go anyhow at once dc
clared her house nolongera sink holege
vice. and deeply repented of having ct
gagged in such a nerarious business, lead
ing to such terrible ends.-q ss,3s stsg.5
But remember that George Barker dt
clares he has no recollection of haEin
done any violence to the unfortunate 81
Iloonist-Mr Michel This may he tru.
itOf course there is but little eon6dent
to be put i'll the word of either the selle
or drinker Of whisky-that- -is,- tespec
ing the traffic, for respecting other ma
ters they lmay=beas reliable as other pee
pie, But whether George Barker wa
consri9lis or; not Of the violence he wa
doing MIR. Michel, one thing think ma
be safely affirmed of him.. giz:I Had /
notibeen drunk he would not have con
United the deed As much might lie a
firrned Of Ben. Barker. 'hfaE i"'ss
But you may say they always had II
J, devil in them.l Grant it; but,they coul
always manage the sober devil until
, was reinforced by Tire drunken devil! a
l tell you earnestly, and ,eas one VII
can and does feel keenly and deeply {
this subject, that most (nearly all, |
deed, of the murders committed
!, Monroe County, we're committed |
|, whisky Q Will some one tell US any Iol
. with which whisky had nothing
do ? All, my fellow citizens and friend
3 .fthese things ought not so to be- B
!. you ask what Is TO be aone2 That
the question now claiming the attenti,
Of every good heart. With your indl
:. gence. and that of the editor, will CO
q slider it in my next. The above mi
suffice at present. j. A.. WAhTERs.
n.alix-1 NfNays