The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-09-20
KENTUCKY JUSTICE.
The AtcfnI Death of Four Onttatcs-De-
iberate and Determined York of Out
ragged Citizens.

| The Aacfhu Death of Four OnttdWs-De-
| Hberate and Determined York of Out
ragged Citizens.
INewcastle (Ky.) Cor. Cincinnati Enquirer.l
The mob went to the store
of William O'Brien, about block away,
and, waking the proprietor, demanded a
rope and small cords, which they got
and paid for, getting 100 feet of cotton
half-inoh rope and quantity of cord.
Returning to the spot where the jailer
was still held by part of the mob, they
cut and prepared the rope, and then
moved on to the jail. Arriving there,
they, with guns at the head of the iailer.
| ordered him to unlock the doors id
quick, saying that they were bound to
! have the men, and resistance on his part
would be useless. After another pro-
test, which was met with threats, he I'M
locked the doors. The moment this was
done about thirty men rushed inside,
and, lighting candles which they had
with them, rushed into the cells occu-
pied by the men whom they wished, Or
dering them to get up and dress. The
men seemed to fully realize their condi-
ton, and prepared to meet their fate
with that stoicaI indifference which
has characterized their conduct from
the first. Old Jim Simmons, the leader,
and, it is believed, the instigator
of the crimes, received the summons
without word or sign of displeasure,
I, oil 4Io
lessness with which he would prepare
| for trip to his tobacco patch. Sam
Goodrich, while being tied by his cap
tors, asked permission to give his money
to the jailer, to deliver to his mother,
which privilege was allowed him, with
the injunction that he be id quick
about it. He turned over $43 to the
jailer, and then, turning to the mob,
gave himself again into their hands. Joe
Goodrich, with the exclamation, ''Oh,
Lordy they've got us!'' allowed him
self to be bound. Bob Goodrich, who
was generally counted the worst of the
lot, at least in point of cruelty, asked
his captors to grant him time to pray.
The reply was damn you, you
didn't give Oman time to pray You
can't have time now yourself!" His
hands were quickly tied, and the rope,
ready tied, was thrown over his head,
and he was forced from the cell. 1t will
be remembered that Shuck, in his con-
fession, states that Bob was one of the
| 4l,o4 To n I,a
Kentucky river, after shooting him
through the arm, and that he refused to
allow Oman time to pray, though he
begged for that privilege.
All this scene in the jail have given
you occupied but few seconds, so
thoroughly was the work Of the mob
planned and executed. The leader, a
large man, closely masked, and from
whom all orders emanated, stood in the
door of the Jail giving commands to the
men. His principal order was, "Be
quick, now; we are here for business,
and want nothing else. Tie them and
take them out, and be id quick about
it, tool" In less than ten minutes from
the time the doors were thrown open
the men had dressed themselves, their
hands were tied, nooses were thrown
over their heads and firmly grasped,
and guarded at each side, in front and
rear, and with drawn pistols at thei1
heads, they were marched from the jail
down the street leading to the west OF
town.
One or two persons attempted to fol
low the mob, but were ordered back, and
informed that they would be shot if they
attempted to follow. They were also
informed that the mob was $50 strong,
and that any attempt at resistance would
be promptly met, even if it were neces-
sary to burn down the town in bringing
about the desired object.
Following down the road at rapid
pace they soon came to bridge over a
branch of Drenan creek, just outside the
western line of the town. The bridge
is about twelve feet high, an arched cul-
vert, and about twenty-five feet long.
Along either side was railing, sup
ported by heavy locust posts. This
seems to have been the spot agreed upon
beforehand for the execution. Arriv-
ing there the mob stopped, and,
lighting candles, placed one upon
each end of the bridge. They then tied
the ends of the ropes which were about
the victims necks to the posts at the
side of the bridge, and prepared at the
word of command to pitch them over the
side of the bridge. Old Jim Simmons
and Bob Goodrich were given places side
by side upon the north side of the
bridge, and Sam and Joe Goodrich were
consigned to the south. Then the voice
of the leader-whose commands were
the only words spoken distinctly, except
another plea for mercy from one of the
wretched vlctims-rang out on the still
night air: GO Ready! one, two, three y
And the form of one of the victims was
launched over the side of the bridge.
The rope was quickly frightened with a
snap and dull thud, and one of the
murderers of Beely James and John
Owen and Eli Downy and William Gal
iighan and John Gividen and Nelson
Parrish met his fate. Again that awful
voice rang out: Ready one, two,
three !" and another form was hurled
over the edge Of the bridge into the dark
ness below
A third time the awful 'ready," and
the counts were heard, and the third