The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-06-07
A WILD MOB.
Extraordinary Scenes Enacted at an Ohio
Execution.

Ihls mas been day OF WOnuer1ul sig
niicance to this pleasant little inland
city. 1t has Witnessed the first execu-
ton ever performed within the border
of Richland county. and it has been a
wonderful one. Edward Webb, the
colored butcher who attempted to slay a
whole family while he was committing a
burglary at quiet farmhouse some two
miles from the village, in December
last, was hanged, and, contrary to the
laws Of the State, it has been a public
execution. All night the Mansfield
Blues, in full uniform, had bivouacked
around the rough inclosure, and kept
back the curious crowds who came all
night to witness the execution in the
morning.
At few minutes before IL o clock, a.
m, the crowd which had been increased
by full trains on every road running
into the town, and numbered some 49,
600 people, began to boot and halloo in
the widest manner imaginable, and to
crowd against the guards. From this
moment it became evident that, sooner
or later, the guards must give way and
permit the wild mob access to the in
closure. One man passed the guards,
and then another, and each new one was
cheered in the widest manner. At
length furious blows in the midst of hor-
rible yells and cheers began to be dealt
upon the boards of the inclosure, and
they one after another then gave way.
Two men rushed through the rough
door, and the guard rushed upon them
with livid countenance, drawing his re-
xyo1x,av yNil1Iy tho int hnnor ~
retreat, but just then a perfect stream
began to pour through the three or four
holes that had been made in the in
closure, and the guard withdrew his
threats and turned in confusion. The
reporters, doctors, Sheriff, ex-Sheriff,
and Deputy Sheriff FASTENED from the
yard into the little passage which had
been made from the Jail to the
inclosure, the high walls trembled as
though shaken by an earthquake, there
were as many people as could stand
upon the scaffold, and only one side of
the wall was now left standing, and this
must soon give way before the furious
blows that were being dealt upon it.
The fear WIS that, if this were torn
away, the scaffold, with which it was
connected, would also fall, as well as
the heavy timbers of which the inclosure
was composed. The Sheriff now rushed
upon the scaffold and asked that the
people be content and permit three
men whom he should designate to tear
down the remaining boards. This was
soon done, and all were satisfied except
the owners of several gardens in the
surrounding lots. But Sheriff Richie
informed them that the citizens of the
county would take care of the expenses
which the citizens of the county had
made. Cries were now INDUCED in of
"Bring out the niger I" "Hang the
black brute I" etc., and Sheriff Richie
came to the front Of the scaffold, saying:
GENTLEMEN Most Of you have by your
votes elected me Sheriff Of this county, and
know that none Of you desire that should
violate any Of the laws. / am trying to do my
duty, and shall, if / am permitted. 1 have
telegraphed the Governor, telling him what
has happened, and asking him what shall do.
30 soon as hear from him, shall go forward.
Now please remain quiet and greatly obige
me.
The speech was received with rounds
of applause, the crowd saying, Hurrah
for Sheriff Richie !" "Bully for him -
etc. The dispatches were as follows:
Gov. r. NJ. Bishop, Columbus o.:
A mob Of 10000 people have torn down the
Enclosure. II do not hang him publicly they
will tear down the jail. Answer Immediately.
JAMES RITCHIE.
The reply read:
COLUMBUS, o., May 31-11 AS o'clock.
James Ritcbie, Sheriff of Richland County:
Execute the law by carrying out the sentence
of the Court on the criminal, without refer
ence to the Enclosure.
r. M. BISHOP, Governor.
Pr ,mptly at the expiration of the
twenty minutes the doomed man APP
peared, clad in black, with white vest
and arms pinioned. He was accom-
panied by the Sheriffs assistants, the
physician, Prosecuting Attorney and
ministers, one white and the other col.
ored. 1t was with the Utmost difficulty
that passage-way was kept open
through the crowd, but at length the
scaffold was reached and assembled.
This was the first time the prisoner had
seen the daylight in 10S days, and he
looked about him upon the crowd In q
manner that betrayed both curiosity and
wonder at its size. He stood perfectly
upright, and betrayed no emotion. He
seemed to have some difficulty il
breathing, and, to assist him, held his
mouth wide open. His lips were
parched and dry, and his tongue was q.
white as his shirt front. Sheriff Gay
of Mount Vernon, adjusted the blacl
cap, and, STOPPING over, adjusted the
strap about his ankles. Sheriff Ritchi.
then adjusted the fatal moose and said
Edward Webb, have you anything
to say?"
The doomed man appeared not to heal
what was said, and no change of ex
preston care over HIM.
The Sheriff remarked, He has moth
ing to say. Proceed"
The Rev. Mr.. Bray (colored) then rea:
short passage of scripture, beginning
EVERY one of us shall give an accoun
to God," and the Rev. Frank Russell, o
che Congregational Church, offered ,
very brief prayer. The services wer,
conducted in the midst of the utmos
confusion imaginable. Streams of liv
ing, wild human beings were surginf
toward the scaffold. All efforts of tn,
police and military were futile to keel
them back. They were simply crazel
with excitement. The flap of the blacl