The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1884-12-25


TRAvERsG, OAK, (via Browns VAL
ley, Minnesota), Dec. 2O.-This morning
at o'clock an armed mob of 100 mer,
mostly from Wilmot, small Town in
the south part OF this county, All acked
the court house here, the county scat OF
Roberts county, broke in every door and
removed the county safe. Before at
lacking the courG-house a strong guard,
armed with Winchesttrs, was stationed
at the eud of every street, and no O"e
was allowed to enter or leave
he town. An immense amount
OF property was destroyed. Not
satisfied with the large safe,
the mob attacked anu carried away all
the private property they could find.
Only a few of the Traverse people were
stirring when the mob arrived. Sheriff
Cummings attempted to resist the mob,
hut was inmediately covered with a
dozen guns. The Traverse men, not
wishing to see bloodshed. made no re-
sistance. TIC mob remained about an
hour, and then left with The county
sale and all the private property they
could find. The inside of the court
house is perfect wreck. Everv man
in the mob was drunk. "A United
States mail-carrier was stopped
and all the mail overhauled. The post
office department has been. notified.
The safe contained no valuable records
or papers. The mob destroyed a large
number OF papers, among which were
several chattel mortgages. All the
other county records are safe, the county
clerk having removed them from the
court house. Notice was posted on the
courthouse door this morning to the
effect that the records are safe and tn 1t
business will be transac cd as usual.
The above statement Is true and correct
as near as can be ascertained.
DIsApPo NTED And DESPERATE.
The sheriff has tried TO serve the
papers, but has been restrained
by the mob. A runner from
Wilmott, just arrived here, says:
Wilmott is enraged at finding the safe
empty, and the mob is again marching
on Traverse. Traverse is arming as
fast as possible. The mob threatens to
burn the town. hang all the county OIL
they have to kin half the
town. The records have heen removed
to parts unknown and the Traverse
men will defend the town to the last.
Gov. Pierce has been telegraphed to for
tro ps. Nothing but their arrival, some
time tonight will save bloodshtd.
Men from all parts Of the country
are coming. to the county seat
10 pTOLeCL tn0 TeCOIuSs UdItlo
may be fought before morning. The
officers are calm and cool, and will
make the best defense possible.
In few honrs arrangements
will be made whereby the town will
be well protected, and It IL hoped the
reports are only rumors. The excite
ment runs high.
THE.FAUTs IN THE CASE
are as follows: At the late election Will
mott had majority of the votes cast
for the 7couuty seat, but on
account of ballot box stufIing and intim-
idation, the canvassing board rejected
two towns, giving Traverse majority.
A mandamus was served on the board,
but after argument before Judge Smith
1t was quashed. A second writ WAS
served OH the board in which Taverse
won. Wilmott then attempted by force
to AXE possession, with the above re-
suits.
A blizzard Is BLOWING
now, that may retard the operations
until morning. No reply has yet been
received from Gov. Pierce.