Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1875-02-04
A PAINFUL STORY.
The Hanging of an Innocent Man
by Lynchers.

worth, Kansas, under date of Decem-
Der 10Th, tells the following:
A most painfully interesting story
came into my possession recently,
which l send TO you with some hesita-
ton, for fear friends may not desire
the matter made public As more or
less publicity has heen given it in
some quarters, however, and as there
is no disgrace attached to the victim
of the murder, l give it as I learned
it in my peregrinations through the
West.
Many of the oldest citizens of Illi-
nois will remember Thomas Ford, one
of the old lawyers of that State, who
was elected Governor some time back
in the '.forties." Gov Ford was
reckoned one OF the ''big" men of the
State, albeit he was possessed of an
overWeening modesty that retarded
his advancement and kept him poor.
When he died he left a number of
children and no property, excepting
history of Illinois, in manuscript
This, Gen. James Shiels, now a resi-
dent of Missouri, had published, and
the proceeds were divided among the
children. The children were adopted
by different citizens-the youngest,
Thomas, with whom we have to do in
this sketch, being adopted by the late
Hon, Thomas E. Moore, of Peoria,
Illinois, and assuming that gentleman s
name.
Tom served in the One Hundred
and Thirty ninth Illinois Infantry, and
there made many friends, and was ac-
counted good soldier Upon his re-
turn he entered the artillery service,
and did good duty there for year.
Then he returned to Peoria, and for a
short time was engaged in writing
squibs for the Transcript, the leading
paper in Peoria
In the fall of 1871, young Ford or
Moore The always wrote his name
Thomas Ford Moore) became dissat-
isfied with Peoria, and determined to
go to the Far West to seek his for
tune. His older brother was some :
where in the vicinity Wachita, Kan
sas, and thither Tom shaped his
course, and arrived in due time. For
number of months Tom and his
Plains of Kansas, now joining hunt
ing party for the West, now helping
to bring huge droyes of Texas cattle
from the South. Sometimes he was
in company with his brother, at other
times he went alone
At this time excitement was running
unusually high in regard to horse
stealing.
1t was near the close of beautiful
day in July that young Ford for the
tfirst time approached State Greek
Rancho, situated in Summer county,
near the town of Caldwell. He had
walked all day, coming from the south
east, and looked forward with joyful
antieipatious to the rest and food he
should obtain at the rancho, previous
to pushing on to Caldwell, six miles
further, whittier he was bound. Just
before reaching the rancho he became
cognizant of the fact that two men
were following him, but he had re
volver, and, supposing if the men in
terfered with him, it would be for the
purpose of robbery, he had no fears
of them.
|
he refreshed himself with meat anC
drink, for half an hour, and thel
started for Caldwell. His journey LAY
through a woods of scattered tree
and abundant brush. He had gon
scarcely mile when three men sud
denly sprang upon him from haze
corpse. So sudden was the attacl
. that he had no time to draw a weapon
to make any defense.
The three men were quickly ioinet
by three others, and the leader inform
ed their captive that he was exceed
ingly happy to have succeeded in cap
tnring him so easily. For" said he
f ''we have been watching you for sev
eral hours past" Tom inquired 70
what they had arrested him. At frs
) he could get no satisfaction, but a
r length he was informed that he wa
arrested for horse stealing.
The horror of the situation the
! forced itself upon the young man. H
realized that he was in the hands of
mob who knew no law but that c
Judge Lynch, in whose court the
!. were jurors, judge, witnesses, attol
neys and. executioners. Though
a thousand times innocent, he knew b
would die if he could not fully COZ
, vince these men of his innocence. II
> knew that some of the loudest an
most active of these vigilantes wei
n the real thieves, who would M
e hesitate to hang an innocent man I
e divert suspicion from their guilt
/ selves, and he knew if the presel
e party were of that number he woul
e certainly perish.
h They asked him his name aud
l. told them Thomas Moore, and the
e informed that he was the son of Tho
e Ford, former Governor of Illinois,
d How can your name be Moore, ther
l. said the leader, 'if you are the son
d Governor named Fordp The your
man, amid the shouts OF derision th
d followed, attempted to explain. f
n was dragged along. Shut up yo
d cackle,' said one burly ruffian, strikil
st him in the face with his fist.
i A rope was here brought in vie
g Take him to yonder tree said +
,e leader
g My God, gentlemen protested t
o unfortunate youth, ARE you going
h hang me upon bare suspicion Befo
as God I am innocent of crime, and
y. you will give me time and opportul
lie ty, can prove it.
IL we have all the proof we wan
,h said the leader If you've got a
a. prayers to say, make them short,
es we have so many of you fellows
&c attend to that we haven't much til
be to give each OF YOU
In Gods name, men, is there
w chance for life? Must I die like d
: for nothing? Give me some char
: for my life, and if you will take
c- don't murder me in such a coward
manner
ne Vain were the words of the pc