Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-02-13

rom MT. III. DeteTt, y HtfCiidht VI
Corcordia, Mo-, we learn the following
particulars of the hanging Of DR.. lRusch,
Saturday evening:
The Doctor was single man, and
had lived some time in Concordia, and
had pever been suspected even OF dis
honorable act lie kept bachelors hall
in the town and lived by himself.
On the night of the 4lh instant Fri
day, the store Of Mr.. Henry Stclg-rs
was broken into aud robbed Of about
$500 worth of goods.
This new robbery created great ex-
citement iu the usually qniet burg, as \
series of robberies has been recently
committed there, aud no clue conl,l be
got as TO the persons perpetrating them.
After close inspection of the premises,
the foot tracks OF person were found
leading in the direction OF Rusch's
house, and soon quite number were on
the trail. The tracks entered his yard,
but re, the doctor was not suspected,
and it was believed that the thief had
taken this course TO divert attention and
throw those who would look of OF the
track. The doctor met the crowd nc
his yard gate aud accompanied them
back to the store that had been robbed.
Here council was held and Il was de-
termined to ferret ont the robber, and
the best means of doing was 10 search
every house in town.
CHASE AFTER TIE DOCTOR.
DR.. Rusch heard this decision, and at
once proceeded TO the bank aud drew
Sl65 he had deposited, and saddling
his horse, left the town. His action
was discovered at once, and suspicion
tell upon him. A posse of fifteen or
twenty persons was despatched after
the fugitive on horseback, while large
number of excited persons went TO the
doctors house and took the shutters of
the windows, SO they could see inside.
To their astonishment they saw, lying
in his room, the stolen goods, and
search warrant was Immediately sworn
out and the house entered. Their
search was rewarded by finding not on
ly the property taken from Stelgcr's,
but large amount which was recog-
nized as belonging to Franklin Il Stcuu
kel, whose store was robbed and burned
about six weeks ago. Excitement now
ran high, aud was increased by the
posse returning with the doctor, whom
they caught four miles from town, max
ing tracks for more congcnial cline.
Upon nearing him he jumped from bis
horse and took TO the brush. lie was
fired at twice, halted, aud captured.
The posse turned him over 10 Squire
w. II. Tiemaun, who, in addition To
being Justice of the Peace, is cashier
of the bank, into which the prisoner
was taken. Dire threats of Iynching
could be heard on every hand.
The doctor made full confession 10
Squire Ticmann, TO the effect that lie
had committed eight different thefts,
which had so incensed tho people Of
Concordia. lie also admitted having
robbed Stuenkel Il Cos store and burn
ing it to remove all evidence. This
confession was carried 10 the excited
populace outside, and added fuel to the
already dangerous fire. They were fl-
rious and demanded tho prisoner, but
the Justice was determined to do his
duty and protect him as long as he
could. The outsiders then commenced
firing into the bank, where the prisoner
was being guarded, and the shots were
returned from the inside, but it only
exasperateG the mob, which now num-
bered over hundred persons. A rush
was made on the building and the doors
and windows broken in; the squire, con-
stable and guards seized aud held, while
others of the mob picked up tho thief
and
HURLED HIN THROUGH TIE WINDOW.
lie was caught by the outsiders who
seemed at first determined to tear him
to pieces. lie was paradcd through the
streets amid The jecrs Of the populace,
aud every indignity inflicted upon him.
A FIVE eight-iDch rope was finally pro-
cured, and sentence Of death was pass
ed Oil the unfortunate doctor. He was
then whipped through the streets over
the head with the rope, and begged
piteously for his life, bnt tho mob, liko
all others, was inexorablc, abd answered
his prayers with hoots and dcrision.
He was then being marched to the gal.
lows, a strip Of timber in tho outer edge
Of town, followed by nearly tho entire
population. Arriving at the timber,
The moose was fastened aronnI his neck,
and the end Of the rope thrown over
the limb Of tree and grasped by The
eager aud excited crowd, who in an
instant had the body Of the doctor
dangling in mid air. lie was soon let
down though. and he was asked after
resuscitation il he had an accomplice, an
impression that he bad having gained
credence with his exetuiioncrs. lie de-
MED having any, and was again swung
up, only TO be let down again and ques-
toned as before. with exactly the same
result. a third time this operation
was gone through with, and the almost
dead mau persisted 10 tie statement
that he was alone ~ tire robbcrics, and
begged and implored fvr the crowd To
save his life, but the bat had gone forth
from that mob that Dr. Rnsch should
die, and tha, kind Of a body never off
ers any clemcDcy. lie Was satisfied his
time had come, and thea asked the ben
eft of clergy. Strange 10 say, they
granted this reasonable request, and q