Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-08-11
Space.
LynchinS In Alabama.

The lypcaiDg OF John Il. Bsss at Athens,
Ala, las heretofore mentioned in the Gszstte)
took place Saturday evening. Bsiles had been
c,n6ued in the county Jail since lhe Middle Of
Msy, 1879, under an Indictment for the murder
of his wife. The mob. members of which did
the hanging, comprised about one hundred
mounted men none of whom we're known to the
citizens of Athens, and are supposed to be men
from Tennessee. They halted 10 the northern
suburbs of the town and about thirty men we're
sent in to do the work which they claimed the
law ought to have performed year ago.
The detail took one of their number, bound
hin and proceeded to the Jail, reused the 'iler.
James D.. NIGGA, and cold him they nad
prisoptr which they wished to lodge in jail.
Upon this the ser opened the gate and iour
men with thei pretended prisoner entered and
mounted the stairway to the upper story where
the cells are situated. Mr. Mugea opened the
cage and one Of the men catered With the
bound prisoner. At this momsut two of the
others seiz 3 Mr.. Mingea aud told him that 10
exchange for the prisoner they had brought
they waotcd Bales
at this Bales began to plead and proy, but
soon realizing his desperate situation he made
fight and Knocked down two of bis assailants
when they opposed him. However be was soon
overpowered and the rope, aootton plough liue,
which had bound the pretended prisoner. was
fastened to Bales neck and be was dragged to
the Court House yard, about two hundred
and 6tty yards distant. During the transit
he made all tho resistance in bis power. strug-
Cling violently three or tour times to effect an
escape.
Reaching the Court House yard aud the fatal
tree Bales made No further resistance. but ask.
ed his captors TO allow him to send message
to his mother. Oae of the men replied: mot
. id Word talkiog saved his ID na"t loo.
fall ImmJGslev the rope was passed over
limb OF the locust tree under which they we're
then ataoding, aud three of the men pulled the
wretched Bales from the grouod. The limb
is not more than ten feet from the grcuad, aud
the foot OF the culprit were not moro than 1S
ioohes from it. His neck was DOT broken nor
scarcely bruised. For ABOUT six minutes he
struggled terribly and then died from strsugu-
al0n After the mob were satisfied that B lilies
was dad they rode quietly away, aud. joining
tho maio party, Whlcl did not enter the town,
all OF them went their wy.
John Il. Bales Was about twenty four years
of age, 8 white man and native of Alabama,
he was married to Mary a. Eovaless, 8 young
lady OF respectable family. In February 1879.
she returned to her mother BIC ,uss her husband
beat and otherwise abused her de made several
attempts to induce her to return to his house.
but failed On the l4.h day of May, 1879, he
Want to her, While she WAS with her mother
painting water melons, in the garden aad shot
her 10 open day light, and sttem oted to shoot her
mother, Mrs -oveless. For soout ten days he
eiuded arrest by skulking but WAS foslly arrest
cd and brought to Athens Tnrae day after
ward large mob came TO town for th- avowed
purpose OF hanging him. but the citiz,ns Inter.
fered and toe law was permitted W taks its
course
at 3 specsl term Of the Circuit Court in jan.
usry following he tried, found guilty and
condemned TO be hanged. On the twelfth day
secoud mob appeared in Athens Meantime an
appeal Was tskeu and the Suprsme Court re.
manded the ,se for second trial. This " IS
had st the regular t,rm of the Circuit Court, on
the 18th day uf day, 1880. he WAS sentenced to
be hanged on the I'd day of July. Another sp-
peal was taken, and the Supreme Court Sus>
pended the sentence On last Thursday intel.
ligenc. was received that the case had been
again remsnded, and this produced the tragedy
OF Saturday night. There is q general feeling
which disspDroves of mob rule yet all agree
tn.t no injustice has be perpotratsd. York
Herald
Buo Presbyteria1i,m isu's as black as it bas
been painted, as will be readily seen by the ex-