The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-12-22
A WESTERN Mob
Attacks q Court House nnd Siakcs Away
9t ~. Will, tho Safe. -'r=H.

l
TRAVERSE, DAE., VIA BRowN's VALE,
MIMI, Dec. 2O.-This morning ut sevel
o'clock an armed mob Of 100 men, mostl
from Wilmot, small town in tho south
ern part Of tho county, attacked tho cour
house at this place, the county seat O
Roberts county, broke in every door an,
removed tho county safe. Before attack
ingthe court house strong guard, arnet
with Winchester rifles, was stationed n
the end OF every street, and no ono wa!
permittedto enter or leave town. An im
mense amount OF property was destroyed
Not satisfied with the large safe, the mol
attacked and carried oil all tho private
property It could find.
Few Traverse people were stirring when
| the, mob arrived. Sheriff Cummings at.
tempted TO resist the mob, but was imme.
diately covered with dozen Winchester
rifles. The Traverse men, not wishing to
sec blood shed, made no resistance. The
mob remained about IN hour and then
left with tho county seat and all tho pri.
yate property it could find. Tho inside Of
the court house is u perfect wreck. Every
man in the mob was drunk.
The United States mail carrier was stop.
ped and all his mail was overhauled, Tho
department at Washington has been mott.
fed, Tho safe contained no valuable rec.
ords or papers. The mob destroyed n
largo number OF papers, among which
were several chattel mortgages. All the
other county records are safe tho county
clerk having removed them from the
Court House. A notice was posted on the
Court House door this morning to the
effect that the records were safe and busi.
ness would DO transacted as usual. The
above statement is us true and correct. ns
can be ascertaiaed.
The Sheriff tried to serve papers on the
intruders, but has been restrained by the
mob. A runner from Wilmot, lust arrived
here, says that Wilmot is enraged at find.
ing the safe empty and that the mob is
marching on to Traverse. Traverse is
armlng as fast as possible. The mob
threatens 10 burn the town, hang all the
county officers, and have the records, il il
kills tiaif. the town. The records have
been removed to parts unknown, and
Traverse men will defend the town to the
last. "
Governor Pierce has been telegraphed
for troops. Nothing but their arrival
some time tonight will save bloodshed,
Men from all parts of the country are
coming TO the county seat to protect the
records. A battle may be fought before
morning. The officers are calm and cool,
and will make the best defense possible.
In a few hours arrangements will be
made whereby the town will be well pro-
tected, and it is hoped that the reports
are only rnmors. Excitement runs high.
The facts in the case are as follows:
At the late election Wilmot had a ma.
lorlty Of tho votes cast for county seat, but
on account OF ballot.boS stutiing and in
limitation, the canvassing board rejected
two towns, thus giving Traverse major
lty. A mandamus was served on the
board, but after argument before Judre
Smith it WAS qaashed. A second writ was
served on the board, in which Traverse
won: Wilmot then attempted by force 10
take possession, with tho above result. 4
blizzard is blowing now that may retard
operations until morning., No reply has
yet been received from Governor Pierce.
TRAVERSE, OAK, Dec. 2l.-A spy has
Just arrived from Wilmot. \ conference
OF one hundred and fifty men was held in
Mann's office at Wiimot. The chairman
standing on the stolen safe said the com.
bination had been telcgraphed for. II
not received by Sunday the safe will be
blown open, and asked, "What shall we
do il the books are not in the safe?n
A motion was carried amia cheers and
howls to go to Traverse, sack and burn
every building and hang every man found.
Every man at the meeting was armed
with Wlnchesters and shot guns. On re-
ceiving this news the Traverse officers Or
dcrcd the women and children to leave
the town, and they arc departing. The
mob is not expected to reach here before
dark. Buildingsare being barricaded and
men are out over the country for arms