Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-03-16
THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY MOB.
The Participants, After "a Long Delay,
About to Have Justice Melted
Out to Them.

Special Dispatch to the Globe-Democrat.
MEXICO, Mo, March 14.-Readers of the
Globe Democrat will remember that during
the holidays last winter there was intense
excitement in the southern part of Mont
gomery county, adjoining this on the east,
growing out of the action of a mob, which
resulted in the death Of one man and wo-
man n the shooting and %wounding of
another couple, also Il man and woman,
details of which were at the time given in
time there resided in that portion of the
county Il family by the name of King,
consisting of the old conference.-the faith
er-and several sonS. The old man though
poor, was well thought of, butsome of the
SONS were in the habit of taking OCCASION
al sprees, and when drunk were rude,
boiStcrouS and dangerous. On the night
of the 18th of last December the boys got
on one of their sprees and provoked diff
ticulty. and as Il result one of the young
men was shot and killed. On the Friday
following the citizens organized a mob for
the purpose of ''cleaning out" the whole
family, and on the night of that day, while
the corpse of the SOL, killed the night be-
fore, lay in the house of the father awaiting
burial, and the family and other relatives
were mourning over their loss, some fifty
or more of the citizens, about midnight,
armed with guns and pistols, made a raid
upon the house and shot, by volleys, into
it and killed another son and daughter,
seriously wounded the old mothers as we'll
as still another son This son was shot
frightfully, and to save his life he crawled
out of the house, and being unable, from
his wounds, to walk, dragged himself ON
his hands and knees through the snow, a
mile and Il half away, where he found shell
ter. When he was taken under the
friendly roof his feet were found to be
frozen stiff, as were also his hands. BY
the shooting he lost an eye, had an arm
and leg mutilated badly and by the frceZ-
ing has been permanently deformed and
injured, thought he still lives.
There was an abortive attempt to bring
the mob to justice, Il couple of them being
arrested and taken before a magistrate and
finally discharged. 1t would seem that no
honest OF vigorous efforts had been made
to vindicate the law, and here the matter
rested and it was supposed was finally
ended. The popular prejudice in the
southern part of the county was in favor
of the mob, which was composed of re-
spectacle and wealthy citizens, who could
control votes sufficient to decide any
county election. and it was supposed that
nothing further could or would be done
in the matterof prosecution. But this has
proven to be only Il delusion, for the war
has broken out afresh. Some of the law
abiding and order-loying citizens have
undertaken to give to the King family aid
andaS>i>tance to vindicate their rights, and
on Yesterday WAS commenced in the Cir
cult court of Montgomery county five civil
actions for damages against the persons
who composed the mob, Oh Il large num-
Vi litih iitSt Ni~tS Sdl, uilut lC
practice in this State, only be triable at the
October term of that court in this year.
Me>srs. Forri>t < Fry, of this city,
brought the action, and to the matter
Judge Forrist will give his personal at
tention. In bringing these actions he nc
doubt has more purposes than one. II
looks very much, in that he has been re-
tanned to look after the matter personally,
that while it is to pecuniary com
pcnSation for the injuries suffered by his
clients, that another nay be to pave the
way to make successful a criminal prose
cution in the way of an indictment against
members of the mob for murder, and the
result of which may cos some of then
their lives. If the civil actions are but
~kirmi>he> before the general engagement
under indictments for murder, then NJ
guilty man will he likely to escape.
The cases, when tried, your cores.
pendent is informed, are likely t. b,
brought to this or taken to Pike county
for it is thought no fair trial can be ha,
in Montgomery, owing to the eXiStin:
prejudice against the King family. The
defendants are all well-hceled financially
stand as a unit, and have the major por
county retained. Thu excitement is grow
ing intense, and popular attention will b.
attracted until the end.