The New York herald., 1876-09-02
THE THUGS OF MISSOURI.

STORY or sINGULAB SECT, THE coBBITEs-
HOW THEY CUT MAN TO PIECES AND STUCK
HIS HEAD ON PALING-THE CITIZENS UP
IN ARMS AGAINST THE BLOODY DIspENsA-
TIoN.
ST. LOUIS, No., Sept /, 1876.
Tho followinghas just been received from rcsblc
correspondent Of the Globe Democrat, at Kcnsc Ar
kansas:-subjoined are the sickcnng details of of
the strangcs and most extraordinary tragedies
actedin the history of he world Before referring TO
tho murder few curious facts by way OF introduction
are necessary. About two and one halr miles south of
Searcy the seat ofWhite county Is wild look ing place
known as Gum Spring. the residents of which
known as Cobbtes, owing tho fact that old
named Cobb, who claims to be Christ, rules with
iron hand His crazy followers claim to identify him
by certain marks in the palms OF his hands and
ho has during the past year made great many be-
leve in his docne, tho main point Of which Is that
every in the community should live in adultery in
order that the souls OF the women might be purified
The principal rendezvous of the Cobbtes is ola log
hut IN Gum Spring which is on the main leading
from Searcy 10 L,tlle Rock.
During the past few days tho attention OF passers by
has been attracted by strange noises, and this fact
being conveyed citizens of Searcy they determined
TO investigate the matter On Tuesday last Mr.. G. ID.
Humphreys, OF Scarcy, and a Mr. Blake. from Elrass,
In This county determined TO visit Gum Springs and
what was gong on.
CLAIMED TO GODS PEOPLE.
The strange noises wcro heard thcy reached tha.
locality, and driving past The hut they were accostcd
by Mr. Dover, who claimed to be of Gods people.
Mr.. Humphreys proposed that they should run hack
and what wanted, they did and invited
IN the hut Dover asserting that God was In there
Humphreys remarked, he got out of the buggy tha
II Got was IN there he wanted to see Him. AS soon
they stepped down from the vehicle Humphreys
was seized by four men and Blake by four
women. Tho latter succeeded in breaking away, but
the former unable TO do 70.
Blake about 100 yards, and. on looking back,
the cutting MS companion to pieces with long
knives He at oncc started for town, but the buggy
upset and demolished. He then mounted his horse.
rode Searcy at break neck speed and reported tho
terrible occurrence to the citizens.
orce was raised and proceeded To the res
cue. On arriving nj the spring frghtrnl sight met
their gaze. The Cobbes had decapitated Humphreys
and stuck his head on paiing A boy who was riding
by was compelled to get on his horse and bow The
head three times lie was also made to pray and then
TOLD TO hurry away, or tho bowels OF the earth
would opcn and swallow him. When the posscnr
Mr. T. c. Black, the leader, shouted to Daver to
forward The latter wanted to talk tho matter over.
He picked up Humphreys head at intervals caught 1t
and then replaced II on the fence ordering the crowd
with menacing gesture, TO go away.
JABBERNa AT A FuRIous RATE
The Cobbes then commenced to jabber In their Pc
culiar way at a furious rate Mr.. Black did every thing
In his power TO calm them, without avail. Davcr ami
his crowd then started toward Black with good in
tent and his posse Tired. killing two men and wound
Ing one The remaindor-four men, four women and
two babes-werc arrested and taken to Jail. While
custody they talked about their Jesus meaning Cobb,
asserting that no could turn the gates OF
hclI nj viii and would come and rescue them This
was about six r. NJ, md the town was wild with
element II was feared that the prisoners would be
vnched Scouts were out 10 the vicinity Of the log
hut and n guard placed over the dead bodies there.
Another posse about two miles tho other side OF Gum
Spring captured a wagon load of Cobbites-two men,
two women and three children. They their way
to the church when taken, and knew nothing OF tho
murder They were brought to Searcy and lodged In
hotel with guard them. On "Wednesday morn
ing a preliminary examination was held, when they
were all released and returned to Gum Spring They
talked necessarily about thor religion and gestcunted
constantly There Is no doubt that they are all crazy
rOm elects
Men, women and children arc as gaunt as pack OF
iamished wolves
Since the above written they have all qusted
somewhat and apparently btgn to realize their sltua
ton. They decline to talk at all, and Will not notice
an outsider This extraordinary affair created unprcce-
dcntcd excitement IN this vicinity