The New York herald., 1877-12-17
HUNG, BUT ALIVE.

REUBEN PROCTOR, THE VICTIM OF THE IOWA
LYNoHING, SAID TO HAVE BEEN CUT DOWN
AND RESTORED TO CONSCIOUSNESS BY Hrs
FKIENDs-HE DEPARTS TO ''pARrs uN-
KNOWN"
correspondent styling himself ''Warren,'' writes
the following extraordinary letter to the Des Moine4
Qowa) Leader. dated at lndianola, December 81
Notwithstanding the most strenuous Efforts on the
part oi his friends 10 keep the secret IL Ia
known TO be tact that Reuben Proctor still in tho
land OF the living although MS exuct whereabouts are
unknown, unless 10 very lew When a runor ~
TINS effect FIRST reached my ears set about course
oil cautious inquiry and Investigation, and by
now divuge learned full particulars or the
affair Reuben frocior's life saved by the
hasty and awkward manner in which the mob did
their work. lhe rope used was thick, heavy one,
aud the knot was 50 ciumsiiy tied that his
not broken, ana, indeed, Inc rope was not uraWn
ght enough TO prevent breathing, but the intense
ony ut us situation threw him intO iaint deep
10 closely ,scnble death. ln the hurry and excl,e
men the affair no critical examination OF his
dtOn was made but when his struggles ceased ne was
pronounced 10 be dead. The inquest held upon his
body was hasy one IL Will be remembered that
made NO attempt az disguise or conceaiment and
yet u jury summoned on the spot and OF men VINO
either witnessed or participated in the hanging re-
turned u veraicl that lie was hung by persons 10
the jury unknown. AS The object OF the In.
quest was 10 discover nothing and implicate M
one II was loosely conducted ana hurried
through Win, anu at us close The body OF Reu4en
Proctor was taken IN charge by his friends. He was
Iaiu out upon the bed ana member oil family
kept watch by his SIDE This person tell asleep for
hours upon waking observed that The features
the supposed corpse had undergone change, ana
mol rigid and liked in dcatD. He f.lt the arms
aud legs ana found them limp and not without slgut
degree Of warmth. Putting his ear IN the region of
the heart, he thought he could hear 1t
lalntly beating. He then took mirror and holding
II the lips slight moisture became visible
the glass;. He rubbed this away and held IL there
again ana with like result. Again ana again ne
peacd This experiment ana always with the same re-
the OF respiration he then rousea the OF
the family from sleep by shouting the Mt
that Rnuen was sIill awe, but untl they had
amin.d tor themselves could they be convinced OF tho
Tact. This UNLOCKED Tor position OF aduirs threw tie
whole household INTO a. tumult ui excitement and tor
u time they knew not what 70 DO. They dared not
Tor medical AID tearing that the moo mgnt learn
OF and return TO make sure work second time. At
length with such methods as suggested themselves
they set about the work oi resusciaon They ruDOeu
upon he face. For some time they seemed to accom-
push nothing but at las. feeble groan escaped tho
Ups; the eyes opened closed again, as II dreadlng 70
They spoke 10 him, toll, hiin he was with frienus
and nave no fear He again opened his eyes and
looked about IN curious, w0nuerimg way, and alter
lew attempts spoke, but with great difficulty. Ho did
not seem TO be conscious OF the day and
inquired wnat had happened They told him, ana
his memory vas awaSened to The terrible ordeal
he had undergone couvulsive tremor shook his
whole frame. Imagination seemed 10 transform
his surroundings INTO the scene OF his fearful
eyes II to smut out the dreadful vision. During the
period returning CONSCIOUSNESS he must have sui
Tered u hundred times tut teTTOfS VI the Jay. his
breathing became uilcult, aud ~ seemed ~ tunes
if each breath would he the last HIS lace grew iyid
as II again The tightening around his neck
so VIVA realstic was the horrid lancy that the
oi his friends were long poweresa
to aspe True It rs that all the ingenuity o Inc in-
QUESTION could not devise such powers 0i torture
exist III man - own mind. 10 influences without he
can oppose the resources OF his mind, courage
lort,tuue and resolution, but when tho mipd
Is itseI the instrument Oh torture, when thus
means OF defence are made the weapons
OF assault he suffers y helpless, hopeless victim.
Will dwell this uninviting topic, and what re.
mains may be briefly TOLD A mock funeral was agreed
upon. As was natural the house was stunned by the
negnbors aud TINS contributed to the scheme there in
progress COLIN procured, hIled with dirt and
was duly consigned to the grave. tow days alter
Reuben Proctor, SO dissuise ed that his own mother
would not recognize him, left his home never
turn. Whittier went know MOI, nor da care TO
Gunty not guilty oil the terrible crime OF
which he is charged he Is accompanied by memories
tuaI will destroy peace Tor ever ana from them
neither ingenuity can rescue him. Those
that hate hun most cannot wish hm worse th.n to DO
lett 10 himself, prey to his own imag Anu
thus let us leave him.