National Republican., 1880-07-28
DIGGS LYNCHED.
Tho outrager ut Rockville Taken from jail
and nnnCah 10 n Irne


The last dispatch from Rockville published
In Yesterdays REPUBLICAN, and dated at $40
a. m, announced that Digs, tho negro raw
isher OF Mrs. James Tschiffcly. had been taken
from the jail The later particulars arc as
follows: At the hour named party Of about
forty men, apparently well organized, ap.
poarcd at the jail, aud tho captain demanded
admittanco from the sheriff The sheriff re.
| iusing this was knocked down from the steps
on which he was standing, seized by four men
aud carried across the road. By somo
means tho Jail door was opened. aud
after y short struggle with tbe jailor
and guards who had been impressed into
services on the inside these officers were also
secured. IL is reported that ono of the cti.
zen guards a printer named Sam Matlock
made desperate resistance, producing huge
revolver but lie was finally overpowcrod and
disarmed. Diggs was found lying down in
cell and was at once identified bv Mr.
Ischifoly, who was with the party. As the
party started out of tho building with the
prisoner great confusion was occasioned by
some one who blow tho lights out. As the
jailor and his four assistants had escaped from
tho room in which thoy were confined and
locked the outer doors Of tho Jail, shutting
np the whole party, the excitement was
greatly increased. The doors, however were
soon opened again and Diggs was marched
out solemn procession was formed down
the lane leading from the Jail 10 the Darncs.
town road. Tho prisoner either did not ap.
pear to realize his situation or clso was utterly
indifferent. He inquired of persons near him
what they intended to do with him, and was
told In very plain terms Some distance
IIom the Jail the party met lone horsoman.
The horseman took command of the party
and short halt was made, during which the
company IVES pledged to sccresy. The band
then proceeded on, under the direction of tho
horseman, TO u point thrcc.qulrlers of
mile from the jail and halted undor n large
cherry tree. Moose was riggcd to o limb
of tho tree and an attempt was made TO scat
Diggs on the horse. While tho rope was boine
fixed the leader asked Diggs whether lie had
struck tho woman. Diggs replied with
an oath, What's the use OF saying ANYTHING
you are going to hang me anyhow" Being
again asked the same question: Diggs re-
piled, u didn't do it. D--d IL you won't
all SuiIer Tor this" Digs dcnas related
only to the alleged assault with chair after
tho outrage, which he admitted having per.
petratcd. The ropes that bound Diggs
becoming loose lie started to run, but
was quickly secured. As Diggs still denied
the crime, circle was formed about
him and heads were uncovered while
the leader offered a fervent prayer for
the doomed man. After this Diggs was
given few moments for reflection, which he
spent in silence, with his eyes cast down. lie
was then taken to the spot whore tho moose
was hanging down. The rope was adjusted
about The neck Tho crowd seized the end of
the rope, and pulling away, raised the doomed
man about three feet from the ground. Tho
party waited in tho ncghborhood about
twenty minutes and then dispersed. Ofcourse
The early riscrs therosbOuts were surprised at
the ghastly spectacle in the roadway The body
was cut down at o'clock and taken to Rock.
vile. An inquest was held, Mr. r. A. Shekels
acting rs foreman of the jury. Several parties
who saw the body hanging on the tree tesii
fed, and DIR. Anderson gave his opinion that
death resulted from strangulatiOn. As the
theory ofsuicidO seemed absurd, as it appeared
quite impossible for the mau to have hung
himself, a verdict was rendered Of death by
strangulation by some parties unknown to the
jury.