Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-06-09
AKENTUtKY SERENADE.
Animated Midnight Attack Upon the
Jail at Mt. Sterling, Ky.-Indignant
Citizens Baffied in an Attempt to
Jyncb a Gang OF Desperadoes

Lynch Gang OF Despefauoes.
Mount Sterling, special: There have
been confined in the county jail of this,
Montgomery county, for ten days past,
John Barnett and ten companions,
known as the Barnett gang, charged
with the murder of Vaughn Hilton, on
the night of Saturday, May II, on
the edge of this county. nearest to the
Mennfee line. Rumors had reached
Judge Iazelrigg of this city some days
ago that a mob from Mennifee county.
composed of friends of the murdered
man, were coming to take the prisoners
at night, and hang some..of them at least.
He has ordered an extra guard to be on
duty at the Jail every night. Last mig ht
Tailor ]. c. Stevens, who is quite old,
had gotten City Marshal Pat Punch to
take his place. Marshal Punch, and
Deputy Sheriff George Mccormick were
keeping guard in the hallway of the
Jail. Richard Farmer, James Thomas
and Jesse Hamlin, armed with shot guns
Spencer rifles and pistols, were sta
toned in a front room up stairs. At
o'clock a. IN. mob of 100 or more on
horseback entered Mount Sterling from
the direction of Menifee, and rode
rapidly to the Jail where they were re-
inforced by small party on foot. When
they advanced by the gate of the Jail
ward, Richard Farmer, from his window
above, with his shot gun well loaded
with buck shot in his hand commanded
halt, and asked who they were and
what they wanted. eve want blood,
and we are going to have it,, was
promptly responded, and to the farther
command of Farmer to halt, they sang
oat, "Close up there; they won't shoot
and at the same moment one of the
within the gate, another message came
from Farmer, but this time it was
leaden one of buckshot, which killed the
leader. With yells, the mob COM
menced firing. Then the guards from
the upper windows returned the
fire as rapidly as possible for three or
Or four minutes, wheD the mob retreated.
The bells of the court house and engine
house were promptly rung. The Cerro
Gordo guards and many citizens soon
came to the rescue. Upon opening the
jail door, the wounded man, who had
fallen forward upon the steps, was car
ried into the Jail and there recognized
as A. J. Ringo, the high sheriff of
Menifee county. Near the Jail, wounded
in the leg, was found Thomas Clark, a
wealthy farmer of this county. Near
him lay his horse dead, killed by the
bullet from spencer bullet which
wounded his rider. Shortly afterward
two or three stray saddled horses with
no riders were found. Clark claimed
that he was only passing and was acct
dentally hit, and was not a member OF
the mob, but his statement is generally
disbeleved.
Sheriff Ringo, when asked by Marshal
Punch what he meant by headinga mob,
said:
John Barnett and his gang have been
bushwhacking people for three years
past, and the good people of my comfy
previously been charged with the muir
der Of Jim Messer, the shooting of Joe
Messer, the stabbing of Vaughn Hilton
two wears ago, ana were acquitted by the
courts. Three months ago they were
charged with firing old man Hilton's
house, poisoning his cattle, stabbing and
killing his horses and shooting old man
Hilton, and orr courts were powerless
to convict. Therefore, after advising
with the best men in my county, I am
here to hang Barnett and the others.
A bunch of rope, with two hangman's
knots carefully made, were found near
Ringo's body. Ringo is dangerously
wounded, five balls penetrating his right
leg, necessitating amputation, and will
probably result fatally. Although the
ceiling of the room above is ridd,ed with
bullet holes, none of the guards were
wounded. The general sentiment of the
public here is that it was very unfor-
tunate that the mob did not succeed in
hanging the Barnett gang, as they are
considered desperadoes ofthe most dan
gerous type. This affair seems to be the
result of family feud existing for a
long term of years past, which has cost
many lives, and will only close with the
death of all parties concerned. Ringo,
the wounded leader of the mob, has
three cousins and one brother-in.law in
the outlaw gang whom he was attempt |
ing to hang, and which will doubtless
cost him bis Lille. He has, since 1865,
been an officer in his county, and has al
ways enjoyed an excellent reputation in
his community as fine officer and law
oil i1ipn o;ti1a,,