Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-01-07
West Virginia VigiIants.

lied TO ENFORCE THE LAw--ONE
FARMER STRIPPED, BEATEN AND MUTT
LATED AND HIS HOME BURNED.
New York Sun, Special.
PARKERsBURG, W. VA, Dec. 20 "A
gentleman who arrived here today from
Ritchle county, gives the details ef Il
number of outrages which have been CON-
mitted in that section Of the Slate by Wig
ilants, or Red Men. The band, which is
composed of forty disreputable characters,
gathered from all parts of the State and
elsewhere, was organized about three
months ago, ostensibly for the purpose o.
enforcing the laws in Richie county, Or
Saturday night last The gang, led by dts
perado named Simon MARITIME au, surround
ed the house Of Edward Davis, a well-to-do
farmer living on Spring Creek, in Roane
county, and announced their Intention OF
Furnishing HIM for alleged atfronts offered
them. Mr.. Davis had received an intims
ton that he would he attacked and had
arranged for the removal of his family to
Parkersburg the next day. At the. sum-
mons of The vigilants 10 open his doors ne
hastily loaded several rifles IN his house,
and posting himself al u garrett window,
warned his aS5ailantS to stand back Tie
desperadoes, finding that they would have
TO force an entrance, seized fallen tree
and advanced towards the door, intending
to use 1T as battering ram. Mr.. Davis
again warned them of, and as they did not
heed the warning he fred shot from a
rifle. Martineau urged the band ON and
Mr.. Davis gain fired, this time sending q
ball through the head of the leader, who
fell dead. The gang, thoroughly infu ria
ted, made charge, and, getting close to
s Inc house out Of range Of Mr. Davis lie,
fired, and probably fatally wounded wig
liant named Strouse. The party then re-
tired to the woods, and as the flames spr cad
through the burning building, mum Der
OF rifle balls whistled around the struct ure
and told the inmates what to expect if hey
left their quarters. Mr.. Davis with m nch
difficulty got his wife and children into an
out-building, where, however, they were
quickly discovered by their foes, who at
once burst in the doors. The undaunte
farmer was preparing for hand-to-haEd
struggle, when his w1fe's pleadings induce
ed him to surrender. The gang tied him
to tree near the dead body of their COM
rade, and then s.ript and beat him with
birch rods until the blood poured from his
writing body. Mrs. Davis and her chill
dren were Mortified spectators of the
scene, and once, when the wife attempted
to rush to the assistance of her husband, q
ruffilan struck her with his fist, knocking
her senseless. Mr.. Davis bore his torture
without cry, which seemed to greatly in
cense his prosecutors, one of whom finally
stepped up to him a, with dirk knife.
deliberately cut off both his ears close to
the head, The scoundrels then departed.
carrying with them the dead body of Mar
tlneau, but leaving Strouse behind. By
daylight some neighbors came to the as
slstance of the Davis family, and provided
them with every comfort. The dwelling, a
three story frame structure, was totally
destroyed with its contents, valued in all
81 about $4,000. Strouse, the wounded
member OF the gang, was arrested, but is
80 badly injured that he will probably die.
Inc ball went through his right arm, shat
terlng 1t and rendering amputatiOn ne
cessary.
Many other outrages by the gang are
reported. In several instances they have
burned the houses Of their victims and
cut the Threats Of all cattle found on the
premises. On Monday mig hit they captured
Perkins Henry, of Richie county, the
driver of a mail stage. and beat him until
be was insensible. They then tied him to
tree, around which they built fire be-
fore they left him. When he recovered
consciousness, finding himself tied, he
thrust his hands into the flames until the
rope binding his wrists was burned
through. He then quickly extricated his
limbs from the rope and escaped. He had
gone only few yards, however, when bs
fell lnsenslble, in which condition he was
discovered on Tuesday morning. The same
night seven or eight of the vigilants went
to the house of Mr.. Charles Congdon, On
Spring creek, about eight miles from the
residence of Mr.. Davis, and after burning
the residence compelled Mr.. Congdon, his
VIE, and three grown daughters to strip
themselves of all their clothing. The Wig
llants then burned every article of wear
ing apparel and everything that could be
temporarily used as such and disappeared.
When the predicament of the family was
discovered clothing had to be brought
nearly ten miles for their use. The wife al,
daughters are all ill from the effects of tn.
terror and exposure, and the condition of
Mrs. Congdon, who is about to become
mother, is very critical.
The entire country is becoming terrorized
by these Outrages, and it is probable that
combined effort will be made at an early
day to suppress the gang. The vigilants
have chosen Oscar Martineau, a son OF
the desperate killed by Mr.. Davis, to sue
ceed his father as captain Ct the organiZa-
ton. Oscar is represented as daring and
reckless fellow, and although only % years
old, is said to be hardened scoundrel.