Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-30
FOR BRUTALITY
A WIFES MISUNDERSTANDING
FEROCIOUSLY AVENGED.

BAINBRIDGE, GA, July 29.--Wrltten IN
characters of blood, punctuated with
pistol balls, and dangling at the end Of a
plowline, which was tied to the limb of a
tree, could be seen by this mornings
early light in Decatur county that crimi-
mails should not 60 unwhipped of Justice.
The early travellers coming to town by the
Arnet place were shocked when their
horses suddenly plunged and backed aud
refused to pass a horrid object which
seemingly rose up like an apparition to
meet their astOnished gaze, and more
than one timid person was mOmentarily
frightened out of his senses by suddenly
viewing the bullet-riddled and bloody
body of Thomas Brantly as it gently
swayed to and fro FROM the limb to which
the executioners OF justice had hung him.
THE VICTIM IN HIS CELL.
A few short hours previous had seen
him crIngIng and crawling in his prison
cell, despicable and loaths0me, bearing in
his bosom the stinging sense of crime and
depravity, and little realizing that in a
brief time he would furnish the material
for a frst-class tree decoration. The
crimes for which Brantley was Iynched
were nOb LUOSb Oi DlDUU, HOT were butH ~
the public at large either mischievOus or
annoying, but were confined and CONSOLE
dated with all the force and fury that
baseness could conceive and passion di-
rect to one poor, fragile, weak and suffer
ing woman, and that woman, horrible to
relate, was Brantly's own wife.
LED TO THE ALTAR.
Two years ago Brantly married the
widow OF the late DIR. James O'Neal, who
as lady is above reproach, and is re-
spected and loved by all whose happiness
it is to know her. Brantly moved here a
few years ago from Alabama, and by rea-
son OF a good appearance and easy man
ners he soon won the affections of his
present wife, and 1t was supposed that
they were living happily until within
about six months after their marriage,
when it became painfully apparent to all
who saw Mrs. Brantly that some deep
trouble was preyiug upon her mind, as
she was faded and carewOm and growing
prematurely old. To anxious and in
quirlng friends she made eYasive replies,
and gave various reasons for the lassitude
of spirits and decaYing health which
caused their uneasiness.
HORRIBLE ILL TREATMENT.
The real truth was that her husband
had been maltTeating and abusing her,
and she refused to make the fact known,
as she instlnctively shrank from the pub
licitY which the scandal would occasion
The abuse thus early began In their mar
ried life was continued with unparalleled
refinement of cruelty for eighteen long and
weary months. Her husband would slap
her, knock her down, kick, and beat her
with any article which stood in his reach.
Brantly's weak point was foolish jeal-
Ousy, and a word said by his wife to any
other man was conclusive proof to his de-
based conception OF things that his wife's
relations with whomsOever she might
chance to speak were of an improper
character, and stripes and blows were
the penalties she received for every occa-
siOna1 word with gentlemen friends and
neighbOrs.
DIABOLICAL REVENGE.
While under the spell of these Jealous
fits there was no indignity nor indecency
too great for Brantly to infiot upon his
suffering wife. The ink with which this
is printed would blush for shame were it
to recite the diabolical enOrmitIes which
were used as instruments of torture. The
most menial and debasing act which she
could do TO signify her complete submis-
sion to his will and authority she was
compelled on bended knee to accomplish,
and was even made to lend her weak hand
whom he had dragged IN her room for that
purpose. These, however, were only the
feeble experiments OF his genius for tor
turing, and it was only last week that the
full power OF his malignity burst forth in
climax of cruelty which established his
claim to distinctive diabOlism.
THE LAST STRAW.
One day last week he and his wife at
tended together picnic in the neighbor-
hood. As they were leaving she accepted
a piece of watermelon from gentleman
/ friend This 80 enraged her husband, who
sat beside her, that he Immediately drove
off towards home, and beat mis- wife with
| the buggy whip very nearly the whole
distance of eight miles, and after reach
| ing home knocked her down, kicked her,
and broke two OF her ribs.
TURPENTINE APPLIED.
he then made her undress and 90 20 bed
and applied bottle of turpentine in such
! "a manner that the poor creature at this
writing has scarcely lie enough TO know
| that the vigilantes have freed her from the
author of her misery. This last outrage
| broke the seal which wifely devotion bad
set upon the fountains Of her grief and
sadness, aud in food OF tears she con-
| iided TO her brother the story Of her wOe
/ He Immediately sued out warrant for
]
and jailed and hung and shot and buried
! in less than six days, and all the people
say amen and amen. The lynching was
done by fifty or sixty men.
TAKES IT QUIETLY.
Brautly was orderly and quiet, except
cries Of "Murderp which he uttered
when he first heard the lynchers coming
He was satisfied that they would come
for him last night, and requested the
prisoners Of the jail 70 aid him in giving
an ALARM This they refused 10 do, though
one Of them did wake him up and gave
him the iirst intimation be had OF their
presence. The laier was 0yerpOwered
snd The doors were forced open, and
Brantly was then made 10 follow the
lynchers until the work OF retributive
Justice was accomplished. Public senti-
ment, while against mob law i'm general,
approves this deed, as Brantly's penalty
would have been only fine and short
imprisonment.
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