Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-20

republicans Id the county, Out un0er the
leadership of Judge Chisolm they made a
determined stand against the democrats,
headed by John w. Gully, In April, 1877
Gully was killed BY negro named Walter
Riley, and the democrats made this pre- |
text for srresting Chisolm and his friends, |
Gilmer. Hopper, and Rosenbaum. All sub.
mitted quietly to arrest, and on Sunday |
morning, April %, Judge Chisolm. accom-
panied BY his wife, three sons and one |
daughter, we're taken to Jail. On his way
to the Jail Gilmer was shot by Henry j.
Gully, and his confederates, Hopper and
Rosenbanm, were placed with the Chisolms !
in JAIL. An old Scotchmsn pamed Mcclellan,
went to the Jail rs one of the guards Of the |
Chlsolms, but leaving the building for q few
minutes was shot by the mob. Mrs. CHS
olm, who had left the Jail just previous to
this, accompanied by her son Willie, on
hearing the shooting, secreted the boy al
home and returned to her husband, on the
second floor Of the Jail.
A mob surrounded the Jail and demanded
the life Of Chisolm. In the lead were Hen.
ry ]. Gully and his brothers. The former
consented to a conference with Mrs. ChisoIm,
and acknowledged the leadership Of the mob
by saying that under certain conditions he
would guarantee the safety Of her husband.
The conditions could not be complied with,
and as Gully retreated the mob attacked the
Jail. Entering the building, they rushed
up the stairway with man named Rosser
in advance. He cut down the door with an
ak, and when it was open fred two shots at
Johnnie Chisolm, killing him instantly. As
the boy fell Judge Chisoln caught up the
gun left BY Mcclellan and fired at Rcsser,
kiltpny hS.v, Tha
made arrangements to fire the Jail. Faced
BY the alternative Of meeting the bowling
mob or being burned alive, the ChisoIms
chose the former. They went down the
stairway not in defiant manner, but in .
way that was in isself An appeal for mercy,
and that indicated no purpose to escape.
carving the lifeless body Of the Toy john
ME. Then came Cornelia Chisolm, with her
arms about her fathers neck. There was in
this group no provocation for the moo to FIRE.
But as the Chisolms reached the foot Of the
stairway, Henry J. Gully took deliberate
aim and fred, the bail striking bracelet on
the arm Of Miss Chisolm. He fired another
shot, breaking her wrist. He was then Joined
BY Sloclm and William H. Gully, and all
opened fire on Judge Chisolm, Who soon fell,
fatally wounded.
The mob then left the Jail, but when Miss
Chisolm went to the door TO ask for assis-
tancs 70 carry the two bodies home, she was
6red on again, and woundedin the leg.
On the supposition that Judge Chisolm
was dead, the mob allowed the family to go
home. Judge Chisolm died in two weeks,
and his daughter f.w DAYS later.
The murder Of leading politician and
his daughter aud son was excused on the
ground that the assaiiants had good reason
to believe that Chisolm had instigated the
murder Of Gully. But this theory was de-
stroyed BY the confession Of Riley, who,
arrested for another crime, declared on the
scaffold that he killed Gully, and that CHS
olm knew nothing about It.
In September, after the murder, indict.
nents were found by the grand jury against
Virgil Houston and Henry J. Gully for
killing Gilmer: against William H. Gully
aud Henry J. Slocum for killing Judge
Chisolm against Jesse Houston and William
II. Gully for killing Angus McLellan
against Henry J. and William H. Gully for
killing Cornslia Chisolm. In addition to
this general indictment Was found against
,hirty-two members Of the mob, but this wal
pigion- -holed. The parties named in the
oAnef loOlctmentS were not arrested, 0Ol
, when notified that such indictments had been
found, simply promised 10 appear for trial.
Up to this time, nearly two vears aud hall
afier the murder. the accused have been at
liberty.
The trial opened on Monday Sept. s,bsfors
Z. jury composed of eleven democrats and
one republican. Mrs. Chisolm testified that
she cav Henry ]. Gully shoot her daughter
and the testimony Of other Witnesses went
to show that there vas . conspiracy to kill
Judge Chisolm. All the details have been
published in the Inter.O Ocean, and the story
- told BY witnesses under oath agrees cub
ssantlally with the story a. first published
In 1877. No one disputes the eIormity ol
the crime, and no one now defends the con
duct Of the mob. One OF the mos intelli.
gent and influential residents of the county
was killed because the democrats hated him,
aud bis son and daughter we're killed be.
canee they would not deeert him.
At this writing the verdict Of the jury ID
NOT known, but il is the accepted opinion
that there will be 40 acqui,tal, or what will
amount in sabatance to that
The witnesses for the defense are, with one
exception. under indict oent for participa-