The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-05-12

injustice.
Gaines called upon Lamphire, and tell
ing him how matters stood, offered to give
him back all that he had paid out, together
with liberal bonus. If he would only
make out the deed to himself Falling in
his efforts, neighbors came to his assist
ance and offered all arguments Of right
and justice, and even eloquent persua-
sions were used, but all to no purpose.
Being afraid, OF ashamed, to persist in his
resolution in his own person, Lamphire,
cowardlike. at last attempted to cast the
blame on his wife, saying that she refused
to sign any deed he might give for the
farm. wt3
This was the only bold attempt at jump
ing a claim that had occurred in the
neighborhood, and excitement ran high
among the settlers, not only on account of
sympathy with Gaines, but also from a
knowledge that if they meekly submitted
to an encroachment on the rights of one
of their number all the others might rea-
sonably look for similar treatment, in case
that, through any unforeseen misfortune,
an opportunity offered to dispossess them.
Several days passed during which
Lamphire was not spoken to on the sub
ject, and he was beginning to congratu-
late himself that every one had made up
their minds that they could not move
him, either by legal or other means, and
that he would be allowed peaceful possess
sion Of the estate. But it was the calm
that precedes the storm.
He was sitting at his window one even
ing when he saw company of men APP
preaching and filing up the path that led
to his house. He could see by the MOON
light that their faces were concealed, and
also that they wore such clothing as was
calculated to disguise their persons, and
he was not long III guessing their object.
AS they came on he had time to count
them, and found that there were fourteen
in the company. A dog belonging to
Lamphire sprang out with loud bark,
when one of the men drew pistol aud
shot him dead in his tracks.
Lamphire had already taken down
loaded shot gun, and at this he raised the
window and fired into the crowd. The
ohpN Aip ohO VI thC ClcOh OOiCIs
and taking effect in one of his lungs, in
fiicted wound which, although not con-
sidered serious at the time, caused his
death some two or three years after, the
lung never healing, but ending in quick
consumption.
These men had not come here without
determined purpose, but they were now
exasperated beyond measure. They ten
dered money-governmen price-on the
land, and demanded deed. Lamphire
resorted to the old dodge of throwing all
responsibility on his wife, who, being APP
pealed to refused point blank to give
deed to the place. A rope was produced,
and being placed around Mrs. Lamphire,
she was dragged into the yard and rough
ly handled. until, with the fear Of hang
ing before her, she at last consented to
sign the deed. She was accordingly con-
veyed back to the house, and papers made
out and signed, which conveyed the dis
puted premises back to Gaines, the right
full owner.
Had these men met with peaceful re-
ception they would have conducted them
selves in a peaceabe manner, but the fir
ing of the gun and wounding of one of
their number reused all the fire in their
natures, and they did not leave the house
until they had committed some rash acts,
and the house and furniture gave proof
that it had been rudely dealt with.
Lamphire brought legal proceedings, in
an attempt to re-possess himself of the
land, on the ground that it had been OBJ
tanned through fraud and intimidation,
but he was not successful.
Through some means such matters al
ways leak out, and Lamphire obtained
the names of the parties who had paid
him his evening visit. He had them
prosecuted, and an indictment for riot
was taken out against all fourteen of the
men. But such was the public sentiment
on the matter at the time, even with |
Judge and jury, that the case could not
be brought to u trial but was put off, on
one pretext or another, term after term of |
court. Sometimes all the accused parties
could not be found; at others important
would be missing. There was
and lodging to avoid trial. and
well assured that they would
never be called upon to suffer either fine
Dr. imprisonment, the rioters became tired
Of this and made bold and successful
move to end the matter. 1t never got in
10 the records Of local politics, nor was it
generally known ontside the 'ring" which
planned the maneuver, but this was the
way it was done:
A district attorney was to be elected.
He must be one pledged to the interests
If the indicted rioters, or their case would
20 hard with them. A new lawyer had
come into the country and had opened an
,ffice for the practice of law at Quincy,
he county seat. Upon him they hit as
he man most likely to be elected, and a
very proper person, provided he could be
won over to their side.
In a lonely spot on the banks Of the
Wisconsin river the bargain was made
between two or three of the interested
parties and Lawyer P, which was to