The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-06-04

Governor Cameron has offered Il reward
of 81 900, for the discovery of the lynch
ers of Hairston Terry,at Liberty, Va, for
the murder of J. A. Jeter. \ Dung Terry
was taken from the Jail at Liberty on the
18th. and hung until he was dead. The re-
ward offered by the Executive has stimu-
lated the detectives and it is believed
they will be successful in ferreting the
lynchers out. Notice comes from Liber
ty that all persons who are not known in
the neighborhood have been notified that
the detectives will not be tolerated, and
one officer who refused to take the hint
was tied up and severely whipped. Not
withstanding this, one detective says he
has a list of the ringleaders, which creates
much excitement, as it is believed some Of
the best citizens of Bedford county were
in the mob Terry's friends, and it ought
to be with all good cltiZens,are determined
on thorough investigation OF the mat
| ter.
1t is clearly established that young Ter
Iy was deranged, and had been under med
ical treatment for disordered mind for
some months. Dr. Bowyer, the mayor of
Liberty had been consulted by Mrs. Terry,
the mother of the murdered youth, as to
taking him to q lunatic asylum, but he ad-
vised against it. DR.. Jones, physician to
the Penitentiary, of which Gen. Terry,
the father, is superintendent, and DR..
! Hunter Mcclure, both regarded him as a
deranged man. and his presence in Bed
ford, at his sisters, was in consequence of
the advice of these physicians, that he be
sent to the country, i'll the hope that
change OF scene, air and diet would i'm
prove his condition.
In an interview with the correspondent
of the New FORK Herald, Mrs. Terry said
II could not believe them. Was not this
the community out of which my husband
marched the first company that left that
county to the late war, in which he was
wounded four times and had two horses
shot under him ? Was not this the people
for whom he fought from Manassas to Ap
pomattox the people whom after the wal
he had represented in the State Senate fol
eight years the people among whom he
was born and raised, and among whom he
|had reared his family honored members Of
society? And now. when he lay upon &
sick bed in Richmond, paralyzed and help
less, were these people from whom he ant
his deserved every consideration, vert
they y rise up as midnight murderers ant
take the life Of his eldest son without al
lowing him the most common opportuni
ties for a trial, which is granted to the
vilest criminal. | could not believe such {
thing possible
The hanging of young Terry, under The
circumstances, was cold blooded murder
and every one who participated in the das
tardly crime. should be brought to trial a
a murderer. This thing of a mob deliber
ately taking the life of an offender agains
the law, and cody decreeing that he mus
suffer death without the form of trial O.
an investigation into the condition OF th'
accused, or the facts of the case, is mon
strous crime against community, ant
should be met with the sternness and tn
determination which becomes SO grave al
offense. 1t would have been better that fit
young Terrys should have escaped the gal
lows, for similar crimes, than that the lay
should be set aside and the revengeful pas
sions Of mob find loose reign in a crue
and barbarous murder and be eEthroned il
the seat of justice. When such conduct i
tolerated and the law defied, what securit
has community against the devilish spiri
that instigates it?
We are glad that the Governor has TIA
ken the action he has. We hope it will re
suit in the detection, arrest and punish
ment, of every one connected with tn
dastardly act. and the good name Of tn
. Commonwealth be vindicated.