The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-01
N1sn1AEY FOR xURDERERy.
Colonel Coekeriil and Friend Saved Prom
LynchIng By senator Allen G. Thurman.

LynchInr By senator Allen G. Thurmau.
ICorrcspondcncc OF the Cleveland Leader,I
A most remarkable story, showing the
weakness OF circumstantial evidence. was
told in the Ebbitt House last night BY
General Denver. OF Ohio. Said he: "Coi.
onel Cockerill, the father Of John Cockerill,
now editor of the New York World, told
II to me. II was during the days before
the war; and lust preceding State Con-
vention at Columbus. Colonel CockerIll
lived at West Union, Adams county, lit
tie town off the railroad, and he was one OF
the delegates chosen from that county. A
few DAYS before the Convention he, in COM
pany with another friend, also delegate,
took the stage at West Union to ride to
Chillicothe, the nearest railroad station.
where they expected to get q train for
Columbus. 1t was dismal, dreary
ride. and all day the rain battered
down upon the roof OF the stage,
| and now and then drop would drip
through upon the passengers within. For
the most OF the journey they were alone,
but rs night approached they stopped at a
station to change horses, and here third
passenger entered the stage. Colonel
Cockerill noticed at once that he was a
foreigner. for though it was too dark for
them to see his features, they heard him
humble something over to himself in a
strange iargon. Colonel COckerill spoke
to him. The stranger replied in foreign
language, saying. | suppose. that he did
not talk English, and, drawing himself
up in corner OF the coach, he wrapped
bis cloak about him, and showed other
signs OF wishing to be let alone.
ttrtul hr
Cockerill aud his friend, though they
could not help noticing his strange
actions. He kept constantly talking to
himself, mumbling over sentence after
sentence, now loud, now low, and some
times gesturing slightly as he did so. After
a few hours they became accustomed to
this and ceased to pay attention to him,
when all at once Colonel COckerill heard q
gurgle OF the throat as though the man
was smothering. He called the attention
Of his friend to this, and putting his hand
to the strangers coat to open il and give
him air, he found it covered with a warm,
moist liquid. lie at once called the driver
10 stop, that one OF the passengers was
wounded in some way, and that he thought
he had cut his throat. The driver hal
looed back that there was no stopping
place nearer than ChilIicothe, which was
now bnt few miles off, and that he would
hurry on. When the stage rcachod Chilli
cothe il was found that the mans throat
had been cut from ear to ear, and that be
was lust alive. He tried to say something,
but there was no one present to under
stand him. At last a German was brought
in, and it was then found that the stranger
was German. He spoke 0nlya few words
Ii. H.. =.
ing, died. The interpreter then gave the
diving mans words TO the crowd. They
were that he had gotten to the stage at the
last station, and that during the night these
two men had jumped upon him and muir
dered him. The crowd received this state
ment with great excitement. Angry looks
were cast on Colonel COckerlll and his
friend. They saw at once they were in
danger OF being lynched.
The crowd demanded that they give an
account OF themselves. They told the
story as have just told 1t; but the crowd,
which knew them not, laughed and ieered
at the idea OF its being true. "YOu are
delegates to the Convention" said they;
we will see If you are not delegates to
the gallows." "You are going TO Column
bus" said another; Il rather think you
shall 20 to JAIL" Here sOber-minded
man OF the audience asked them II they
knew any one in Chilicothe, and on Cooke
riIl's replying that he was known to Allen
G.. Thurman there was great laugh. The
affair looked desperate, and had it been
in a western town ii is likely they
would have been hanged at once. A mo-
ment later, however, and Allen G. Thur
man entered. He went at once to Cooke
rill, and saying, How do you do, Colonel?
[ am glad TO see you. Are you going to
the Convention?" shook hands with him
very cordially. Colonel COckerill replied
that as going TO the Convention he did not
know; these men said he was going to Jail.
lie then went on to tell OF the so-called
murder. As he closed Mr.. Thurman said
to the people: NV friends, this must be
a mistake. These gentlemen are men that
[ have known for years, and will be their
surety. II you will let them 20 on to Co.
lumbus will be responsible for their re-
turn at the close OF the Convention"
Mr.. Thurman was very popular in Chill
licothe, and this speech put matters on a
different basis. Colonel COckerill and his
friends were allowed to resume their Jour-
ney, and in few days they again return
ed. When they came back they found the
affair cleared up for them. Inquiries had
shown that the man with his throat cut
was a crazy fellow who had attempted sui
eide several times before. The night be-
fore the above adventure he had escaped
from his keepers, and having gotten into
the stage had quietly cut his throat. Had
il not been for Thurman. however, and
had the lunatic come from distance, it is
hard to see how they could have escaped.