Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-09-13
4 Terrible Story Of Fanaticism ana
Crime.

The subjoined are the SlckenlnS de-
tails of one of the strangest and most
extraordinary tragedies ever enacted
in the history of the world. Before
referring to the murder. a few curl
ous facts by way of introduction are
necessary. About two and a-half
miles south of Searcy, the seat of White
County, is a Withholding place known
as Gum Spring, the residents of which
are known as Cobbites, owing to the
fact that an old man who claims to be
Christ rules with an iron hand. His
crazy followers claim to identify him
nv certain marks in the palms of his
hands, and he has during the past year
made great many believe in his doc
trine. The principal rendezvous of the
Cobbites is an old log hut, in Gum
Spring, which is on the main road lead
ING from Searcy to Little Rock.
During the last few days the atten-
ton of passers-by has been attracted
by strange noises, and, this fact being
convened to the citizens of Searcy, they
determined to investigate the matter.
On Tuesday last Mr.C. d. Humphreys,
of Searcy, and Mr.. Blake, from Ell
Paso in this county, determined to WIS.,
it Gum Spring and see what was going
ON. The strange noises were heard as
they reached the locality. On driving
past the hut they were accOsted by Mr..
Dover, who claimed to be one of God s
people. Mr.. Humphreys proposed
that they should turn back and see
what was wanted. They did so, and
were invited into the hut, Dover as
serting that God was in there. Hum
phreys remarked, as he got out of the
buggy, that if God was in there
he wanted to see him. AS soon as they
stepped from the vehicle Humphreys
was seized by four men and Blake by
four women. The latter succeeded in
breaking away, but the former was
unable to do so. Blake ran about 100
wards, and, on looking back, saw the
men cutting his companion to pieces
with long knives. He at once started
for town, but the buggy was upset and
demolished. He then mom ted his
horse, rode to Searcy at breakneck
speed. and reported the terrible occur
renee to the citizens. a force was at
once raised, and proceeded to the res
cue. On arriving at the spring fear
full sight met their gaze. The Cobbites
had decapitated Humphreys and stuck
his head on paling. A boy who was
riding by was compelled to get off his
horse and bow to the head three times.
He was also made to pray, and then
told to hurry away, or the bowels OF
+ba arfh ,unr11 nn1 cHall
him. When the posse arrived, Mr.. T.
c. Black, the leader, shouted to Dover
to come forward. The latter wanted
to talk the matter over. He picked up
Humphreys head at intervals, caught
it by the hair with both hands, shook
it back and forth, and then replaced it
on the fence, ordering the crowd, with
a menacing gesture, to go away. The
Cobbites then commenced to jabber in
their own peculiar way at furious
rate. Mr.. Black did everything in his
power to calm them, without avail.
Dover and his crowd then start
ed toward Black with no good
intent, and his posse fired, kill
ing two men and wounding
one. The remainder, four men, four
women and two babies were arrested
and taken to Jail. While in custody
they talked about their Jesus, mean
ing Cobb, asserting that he could turn
the gates of hell at will, and would
come and rescue them. This was
about SIX p. M, and the town was
wild with excitement. 1t was feared
that the prisoners would be lynched.
Scouts were sent out to the vicinity of
the log hut, and guard placed over
the dead bodies there. Another posse,
about two miles the other side of Gum
Spring, captured a wagon-load of Cobb
lies, two men, two women and three
children. They were on their way to
the church when taken, and knew
nothing of the murder. They
We're brought to Scarcy and lodg-
ed in hotel, with guard
over them. On Wednesday morning a
preliminary examination was held
they were all released. and returned tC
Num Spring. They talked necessarily
ABOUT their religion, and gesticulated
constantly.
There is no doubt that they are al
crazy from the combined effects of re.
hglon and starvation. Men, women
ana children are as gaunt as a pack OF
iamished wolves.
since the above was written they
nave all quoted somewhat, and appar
rLtIy tegln 10 realize their situation
lhty decline to talk at all. and will moi
notice an outsider. This eXtraordi
nary affair has created unprpcedenteC
vehement in the vicinity. Il ensett
afE. Cor. st. Louis Globe Democrat
>.lt. ,.
Managing Bees.