Connecticut western news., 1881-01-05
WEST VIRGINIA VIGILANTS.
Shocking Outrages by a Band Or
 ganized to Enforce the Law.

number Of outrages which have been committed in that section of the State by Vigilants, or Red Men. The band, which is composed of forty disreputa- ble characters, gathered from all parts of the State and elsewhere, was organ ized about three months ago, ostensi- bly, for the purpose of enforcing the laws in Ritchie County, which, being thinly populated, has always been more or less subject to to the depredations of rufians. The Vig1lants at first received the countenance and support of the respectable element in the community, but these latter were quickly unde- ceived by acts of lawlessness committed by the band, and soon severed their connection with it. An open rupture took place between the band and sev- eral farmers two weeks ago, since which time the latter have been sub- jected to the most cruel and merciless persecution.
 On Saturday night the gang, led by desperado named Simon Martineau, sur rounded the house of Edward Davis, well-to-do farmer living on Spring Creek, in Roane county, and announced their intention of punishing him for al- legged affronts offered them. MT. Davis had received an intimation that he would be attacked, and had arranged for the removal of his family to Parkers- burg the next day. At the summons of the Vigilants to open his doors, he has, tily loaded several rifles in his house, and, posting himself at garret window, l warned his assailants to stand back. The moon was shining brightly at the time, and he had no difficulty in watch ing the movements of his foes. The | desperadoes, finding that they would | have to force an entrance, seized fallen tree and advanced toward the door, in- tending to use it as battering ram
 MT. Davis again warned them off, and ! as they did not heed the warning he | fired a shot from rife. Martineau urged the band on, and MT. Davis again | fired, this time sending 8 ball through the head of the leader, who fell dead. The gang, thoroughly infuriated, made a charge, and, getting close to the house, out of range of MT. Davis's rife, set fire to the building. MT. Davis again fired, and probably fatally wounded vigilant named Strouse. The party then retired to the woods, and as the flames spread through the burning building, a num- Der of rife balls whistling around the structure told the inmates what to ex- pect if they left their Quarters. MT. Davis with much difficulty got his wife and children into an outbuilding, where, however, they were quickly discovered by their foes, who at once burst in the | doors.
 The undaunted farmer was preparing for hand-to-hand struggle, when his wife's pleading induced him to surrender. The gang tied him to tree near the dead body of their comrade, 'sand then stripped and beat him with birch rods until the blood poured from his writh- ing body. Mrs. Davis and her children were mortified spectators of the scene, and once when the wife attempted to rush to the assistance of her husband 8 ruffian struck her with his fist, knocking her sonseless. MT. Davis bore his tor ture without cry, which seemed to | greatly incense his prosecutors, one of whom finally stepped up to him and with dirk knife deliberately cut off both of his ears close to his head. The scoundrels then departed, carrying with them the dead body of Martineau, but leaving Strouse behind. By daylight some neighbors came to the assistance 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 at about $5,OOO. Strouse, the
 wounded member of the gang, was ar.
 rested, but is so badly injured that he
 will probably die. The ball went
 through his right arm, shattering it anG
 rendering amputation necessary. MT
 Davis, although terribly mutilated, vii
 probably recover.
 Many other outrages by the gang are
 reported. In several instances they have burned the houses of their victims
 and cut the throats of all the cattle found
 on the premises. On Monday nigh
 they captured Perkins Henry, of Ritchit County, the driver of @ mail stage, ant beat him until he was insensible. They then tied him to tree, around whicl they built a fire before they left hin When he recovered consciousness, find
 ing himself tied, he thrust his hand into the flames until the rope binding his wrists was burned through. H' then quickly extricated his limbs iron the rope and escaped. He had gon, only few yards, however, wheRshe fel insensible, in which condition he wa
 discovered on Tuesday morning.
 The same night seven or eight of tho
 Vigilants went to the house of MT Charles L. Congdon, on Spring Creek about eight miles from the residence O
 MT. Davis, and after burning the resi- f dence compelled MT. Congdon, his wife and three grown daughters to stril themselves of all their clothing. Tn, , Vigilants then burned every article O 3 wearing apparel and everything tha
 could temporarily be used as such ant disappeared. When the predicamen of the family was discovered clothing
 had to be brought nearly ten miles fo 9 their use. The wife and daughters ar all i'll from the effects of the terror anc
 exposure, and the condition of Mrs
 Congdon, who is about to become