The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-02-09

An old survivor of Ander,onvilic in Il talk
with Il representative of the St Louis E'caia5
Pest, says;
There Wa, an episode during my life At
AndcrSonvillc that stands out in my memory
above all others. No one can conceive Of the
decentralization tina, comes upon men confront
ed on all sides with so much misery. While
Andcl sonyilc developed examples OF as noble
hcroi>m and Selt.sacriticc as the world proba-
bly, ever Witnessed it served also to bring ont
upon the part of some OF the inmates many OF
the most abhorcnt and dcSplcabc traits OF
human nature. The greatest luxury that could
be enjoyed by Il prisoner was warm blanket.
Yet men were found among the prisoners base
enough to rob their fellows Of even these com
forts 4 gang of robbers was organized, who
went around the camp at night and tore the
blankets and clothes oil from sick and dying
men, kicking and heating those who made any
feeble attempts at resistance Money was also
taken from the prisoners, or anything OF value
that could be found upon them. In little
while the rObbcricS became so frequent rs to
be the worst of our troubles. \ perfect reign
of terror existed, and we did not know what
to do. Finally, after consultation, we asked
permission of Writ To investigate and see
who were the perpetrators of these outrageS,
and punish them. Writ granted it, the only
| kind act he ever did, | believe, for the mon
prisoners there and thank him for it to this
lday We picked out SIX men for trial before
a tribunal of our own selection. II sat outside
of the >toctade under confederate guard. \
Judge. Jury. prosecuting attorney and clerk
were appointed, together with counsel rthe
defense Evidence was heard from many of
the prisoners, and the accused were all ldcnti-
fled a. among the parties guilty OF the robber-
les \ verdict of guilty was found, and they
were sentenced to DC hung, and the entire pro
ICcedingS approved by Writ, vino ordered the
lumber to be furnished lis for II scalold. We
built one sufficient for our purpose in few
hours. II consisted simply of Il crossbcam,
supported by two uprights. \ platform was
constructed about three feet from the ground,
the first plank. laid ut right angles with the
uprightS and parallel with the croSs.bcam Ill
rcctly above it, being 80 adjusted that ii could
be Withdrawn from its position ut moments
notice The six condemned men were escort
ed To this scatlold by guard of about 300
prisoners armed with sticks and clubs. They
were placed on this plank. In lieu of the Gus
tOmOry black cap We ncaScd their heads IN
flour sacks. Notwithstanding this absence OF
ceremony the scene was an impressive one.
The galluwS stood near the top of the hill, and
nearly all the $4,000 prisoners were gathered
perfect silence. retaining from any insults To
the condemned, but their hollow eyes pale,
faces, their savage expression of countcnancc,
were sufficient Indication Of their determine
ton that not one should escape. The ropes
were carefully adjusted, with the knot IN each
case under the left eur, and, by signal, the
beard withdrawn from beneath them There
was drop of two tcci, and The bodies swung
about a foot from the ground-all but one
The sixth man. a former sailor, was perceived
to have fallen To the ground-the rope had
broken In an instant he was on his leet. lie
started to run down the hill. The crowd, com
pretending his intention 10 escape followed
with veil in pursuit Ii was flight for life.
He had a star, lly a few seconds, and he made
the most of il. never saw man run rs he
did lie went down Ia the moraSS with near
" $4,000 men close upon his heels. Not ind
ing him there, we looked up and SAN him run
ming up the side of the other hiiL We ioi-
lowed lie made for one al the nuts or sheds,
but as soon a, lac heard uS coming got down
and again started ON the run. Widening the
distance between Il, he again sought refuge
in a duc-out. and a SECOND time had tn abaI-
don it a. we came up. IL was twenty minutes
before we had him fast lie begged pitcuu>y
for his life, hut We had no mercy. We had tol
drag him down the hill through the sand,
thence through the swamp, and up the other
hill 10 the ,callold. lie Was held 10y three
men on the platform while the Moose was adj
iusicd ihc second time after we had Spiiced
The rope lie ircmblcd in every limb, Vt the
Given moment the men pushed him from the
,caflold. and he swung clear from the ground
two feet The robberies never occurred ag'tin-
N-,,.,,-rcs n. psman & Hapemau'-