The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-02-11
Selerf STORY.
4 PAINFUL S70RY.

oldestlawyers of that State, who was elect
ed Governor some time back in the "for-
ties.i When he died he left num-
ber of children and no property, ex-
cepting a history of Illinois in manuscript.
This Gen. James Shields, now resident
of Missouri, had published, and the pro-
ceeds were divided among the children.
The children were adopted by different
citizens-the youngest, Thomas, with
when we have to do in this sketch, being
adopted by the late Hon. Thos. E.
Moore Of Peoria, Illinois, and assumed
that gentleman's name. #
In the fall ofIS7I young Ford or Moore
(he always wrote his name Thomas Ford
Moore) became dissatisfied with Peoria,
and determined to go to the Far West to
seek his fortune. .Aa.i Z 'AA
At this time excitement was running
high in regard to horse stealing. ,.
1t was near the close of beautiful day
in July that young Ford for the first time
approached State Greek Rancho, situated
in Summer county, near the town of Cald-
well. He had walked all day from the
southeast. -ra
Just before reaching the rancho he be-
came cognzant of the fact that two men
were following him, but he had revol-
Nver, and supposing if the men interfered
with him it would be for the purpose of
robbery, he had no fears ofthem.
He soon arrived at the rancho where he
y refreshed himself with meat and drink
sefor half an hour, and then started for
Caldwell. His journey lay through
woods Of scattered trees and abundant
brush. He had gone scarcely a mile
when threeDmen suddenly lsprang upon
him from hazel copse.. So sudden was
Uthe attack thAt1he had no. time to draw
his revolver, no time. to make defense.
The three men we're quickly joined by
.tthree Others, and, the leader jhformed
lIiheir captive that he was exceedingly
Ihppy to have succeeded in capturing
him so easily. ssg.
For" said he, 1--WE have been looking
for you for several hours"
Tom inquired forwhat they had arrest
ed him At6rsthe could get no satisfac-
tion.bpt atlengthh he wasinformed it was
for horse stealing.
The horror of his situation then forced
itselfupon the young man. He realized
that he was in the hands of mob who
knew no law but that Of Judge Lynch,
, in whose court they were jurors, judge,
witnesses, attorneys and executioners.-
Though a thousand times innocent he
knew he would die if he could not fully
convince these men ofhis innocence. He
knew that some Of the loudest and most
atactive of these vigilants were the real
horse-thieves, who would not hesitate to
? hang aninnocent manto divert suspicion
from their guilty selves, and he knew if
the party were of that number he would
certainly perish. .,
l92 They asked him his name, and he told
,I thrm Thos. Moore, and then informed
d" them that hewas the son of Thomas Ford
former Governor of Illinois. ..7~--aa''''
+ "How canyourname be Moore, then,N
said the1eader '"if you are a son of a
governor named Ford?"' Il
The young man, amid the shouts of
.aderision that followed, attemptedto ex-
plain. Hewas dragged along. Ia, hf
- Shut up your cackle," said one burly |
"a rufian striking him in the face with his
fist. sr.I .d,is. aas
10. A rope was here broughtin view,
na "Take him to yonder tree, said the
leader. 9ta4aa BOO ,a-'
'My God, gentlemen, protested the
unfortunate youth, are you going to hang
me upon bare suspicion Before God
am innocent of crime, and if you will
D give me time and opportunity | can prove
1T"
1--WE have all the proof we want said |
the leader. "Ifyou have any prayers to
say make them short, for we have so
many of you fellows to attend to that we
have not got much time to give to each of
you"
''In Gods name men is there no chance
for life Must die like a dog for moth
ing ! Give me some chance for life, if you
will teke it, don't murder@me in such a
mai$ser."n' VI1NkV
Vain were the words ofthe poor boy
They attempted to bind him, but all the
strength Of a well built frame. intensified
and augmented by desperation he threw
ttem etf. Again aud again rhey threw
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