New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-05-09


pers and Chsom and placed them all under guard
in Chisolm's house, and dispatched a deputy to
Scooba for Gilmer and Rosenbaum, but they had
heard of the warrant and were met coming to town
to give themselves up.
About 10 o'clock that morning Sunday armed
men began to ride into De Kalb. First small de-
tachments came and afterward a large body, num-
bering about 100 Before noon over 200 men had con-
gregated. They were sober, COOL and determined.
Tying their horses to the gallOwsike hitchIng bars
around the Courthouse, they surrounded Judge
ChisOlms house and insisted that the sheriff should
take the prisoners to the Jail. This was done, and
guard of six men, selected by the sheriff. was placed
over them. Then the mob hung two of Chisolms
negro servants up to trees with bride reins, and
tined to mako them confess that they had heard
something to implicate the judge in the murder;
but the poor fellows knew nothing, and were finally
allowed to run to the woods.
At o'clock in the afternoon Gimer and Rosen-
baum came into the village with the deputy sheriff.
dismonnted and started to walk down the main
street to the Jail. They had not gone dozen rods
before shot was fired at Gilmer from the crowd of
armed men hanging about the store doors. He ran
down narrow passage to the of the buildings,
only to find himself penned in by another detach-
mont of the mob. Escape impossible, and the
dcfenseless man killed like rat in trap. Two
ground. When the firing began Rosenbaum chung
to an acquaintance in the crowd, named Hull, and
begged for protection. This man interceded for him,
and he allowed to escape unframed.
When Judge Chisolm went to Jail all the members
of his family-hs wife, daughter IL years old.
son of 16 and two younger bOys-knowing that his
life in danger, and hoping that their presence
might soften the hearts of the mob, went with him.
After they were locked in. the daughter COrnelia
found that the guns of the six guards were not
loaded, and that they had no ammunition. Under
pTeense OF going to procure food for the family the
courageous girl left the jail, passed though the
crowd of angry men, and returned home. where she
hastily secreted pOwder-iiask, bag of shot, and
some newspapers for wadding under her dress
Then taking some bread and meat she went back to
the jail. The mob, leaving the stores and saloons
now began to press around the building and clanor
for Chisolms life. Among the guards there was
but one Republican, cool, courageous Scotchman
named McLeland, who was a personal friend of
Chisolm This man stationed himself at the door of
the iaII and told the mob That if they killed the
prisoners two of them should die for every life they
took. While expOstuIatmg with the mob, and
threatening them, he fell, shot by five pistol balls
Three of the remaining guards now deserted their
post and, leaving their guns and taking with them
the two IIoppers they went out of the jail. There
seems to have been little personal aumOSty against
the Hoppcrs, and they mingled with the crowd and
got away unframed.
The furious mob filled the lower hall of the JAIL
and broke open a door at the foot of stairway
leading To the floor above where the prisoners were
confined AZ the top of the stairs there was another
door with a grating in IT, The lock was broken off
with ayes Whilo the blows were falling upon it,,
Comclia implored the two remaining guards Over
and all fra he ~
mob pressing mp the stairs, but they refused. She
then carried the guns left by the other guards to her
father After the lock yielded, the two guards cred
to hold the door, and tho second son of tIe jn'go
boy of - in aiding them, was shot in % wrist.
The mob pushed the guards aside and the mon +.
advance gained the upper landing, fired, and kiicd
the poor wounded BOY who was clinPing to his
father Firstin the brutal crowd came David Rnsser,
n planter and pracicing physician. lie was instantly
killed by the Judge As soon az he fell, the mob,
cowarly as all mObs are. rushed out of the building.
There was q lu for II fow minutes; then the crowd
outside began TO yell, "Firo the jail; burn them
outw Afterwards they shOmicd, 1.-THE jail II on
fire" II was a strltagom worthy only Of saVaErS.
Judge ChisOlm believing that the wooden building
was already in flames determined to fight his way
out and to sell his life as dearly as be
could. lie came down the stairs with his vie ana
three surviving children. TIE dead bodies oil Johnny
Chisolm and of Dr. RossCr had previously bccn Gar
ried out bv OycIstrcc and Wall who left the jail 10
get OUT Oi harms way. AZ the loot OF the STAIRS tue
hunted family found the hall full OF armed men,
One man stuck his gun through the grating IN the
door against the breast OI the Judge, but Cnrnfiil
thrust il aside. Voey OF shots was urea iPalli7J
tho door. The Judge pushed II open ana got INTO the
hail. Mrs. Chisolm fired both barrels OF 4 SHOTGUN
and wounded one of thc assallants IN the face lho
murdrrous mob clOs'd IN around Their victim. ms
daughter clung 10 his meek with one hand ana WIN
the other thrust away the guns aimed al HIM Her
hand was shattered by ball Ghd hNc 5hOtS SlIuck
one Of Ter legs. Judge Cbi.0lm fell wounded m IL
places The mob, believing they had accomplished
their purpose, left the jail
The wiz aid SON of tho Judge, aided by citizen
who, for a wonder showed spark OF humanity
carried the wounded man to his nome, rev num n
drcd yards across the commons. n body OF men
stopped them the way ana were diiuul 10 niG ~
the Judge, when Miss Cornea, with the T9maIkabie
courage ana self possession she showed thlGushouI
the whole tragedy assured them that her father was
dead, that he had died III her arms IN me Jh' anu
persuaded them not to nutllate dGad nouy. IN; no
bleeding and unconscious man was then g0I "ithh
the shelter Of his house. Toward evening the muir
dcTeTS rode out of the town.
Judge Chsom is still alive but his recovery 10
- his cyrning ne ..iI u want 10 live for the
dearest wife IN the world for my children ana Ior
my country. am dying ior my coHMtr{. ne sur
gcpu foi babe him 10 tall, more. The brave Young
giri although suffering severe pam from ler snIt
tered right band. ~ cheerful ana hopeful Inc
surgeon saws he never saw woman WIN 6uth Il
nerve and that she bore the HeyeIe pain o. extract
ing the shot from her leg and dressing her liahd
without groan. She has sweet, lhitlliHrHt I i
dark brown hair, and pair OF large TeHoute pluS
evr. The Chisoms are people of refinement ana
culture exceptional Tor this part of the country
There are books, pictures and piano IN thelr pftty
little cottage, and the flower garden mat SURROUNDS
il would be- the wonder and pride OF any Northern
village. The front window of the room where ne
ind lies is boarded mp 10 guard against an attempt
To complete the work of assassination, ana hVe OF
six oil his kinsmen, well armed keep Watch every
night. .,,
Gilmer is spoken Of az an unprncipeI man-a
gambler and something Of desperate. Mcclellan
was an industrious, respectable citizen. o..
From the careful inquiries made by GOV. stone, u