Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-31
LTNCHING 4 FIEND.
A Mob ands Hop, to the Rescue OF NAL
treated wife ia GeOrRia.

treated wife in Georeia.
A cambridge (Ga.) special says A
( spot few miles from cambridge, in
Decatur county. was this morning the
scene Of one of the most sensational
ynchingS ever pcrpetrated in Georgia.
AT 2 O'Clock fifty or sixty masked men
srmed with guns and revolyers sur
rounded the Jail and demanded the sur
render Of Thomas NJ. Brantly, Jr., a
you're white man charged with ill-trest-
ing his wife. Jailer Draper refused to
deliver the keys, and the mob bran
dished Crowbars and other instruments
available for battering down doors and
forcing an entrance. The jailer ran to
the rear Of the jail wall, and leaped
, over the fence in al effort to escape.
Five Of the lyncherS headed him off and
rushed to seize him, when he threw the
keys into a thickei where they could
not be found. The mob then battered
its way into tho jail and to Brantly's
cell. whence 1t led him to distant
field. lie saw that resistance was use
less, and was completely cOwed.
Brantly had anticipated the visit Of
the mob, and he begged the other pris-
oners to stand by him. but they re-
fused. Arriving at an eligible tree the
lynchers threw plough-line over
limb, put moose around Brantly's
neck, and swung him up with his feet
within seven feet of the ground. All
then leyelled their guns and pistols at
the victim and fired three volleys stimuli
taneous, completely perforating his
body from head TO foot. The corpse,
which presented u sickening sight, re-
NAMED hanging until 8 o'clock, and
startled early riserS who came upon it
uDawares.
The offences which led to the tragedy
are almost unparalleled in their cha
fscter. Two years ago Brantly moved
fiom Alabama to cambridge, and six
months later married Mrs. James
0'Neal. the widow Of prosperous
physician, who left her a comfortable
fortune. Brautly was q man of fine
appearance and pleasant manners,
and the match was looked upon as
society incident of unusual brilliancy
and promise. Six months later it be-
came painfully apparent from Mrs.
Brantly'S appearance that some deep
trouble was preying upon her mind,
but TO the inquiries of her friends she
gast eyaSiye replies. 1t is now de-
yeloped that her husband was shame
fully ill-treatinc her, and that her aver
sion to causing a scandal prevented her
FROM giving publicity to the fact.
= Groundless jealousy was at the bot
tom Of Brautly's brutal treatment.
which began IN the .rst six months
OF their married life and continued for
eighteen months # she spoke to any
of her men acquaintance Brantly
would subsequently knock her down,
Kick her when lying PROSTATE, ar beat
her with the first article that came to
hard. Mrs. Branty was of ire
preachablc character, but her hus-
band insanely inferred that her
relations with every man with whom
she spoke wer, of all improper chsrac-
ter. Blows and stripes followed every
occasional chat with any man Of the
sillSge.' A week ago he and his wife
Intended 3 picnic. In the course Of
The afternoon she accepted a slice
of watermelon. rendered her by M ac-
qusintance. Brantly Immediately forced
her into the buggy and beat her with
bis buggx-whip during his entire drive
81 eight miles to his home. Arriving
stheie. he Knocked her down, and in
kicklng her broke two OF her ribs.
81 Tins last outrage broke the seal
Which wiicly devotion had set upon her
7ongue, and She ooniided her troubles
No her brother. who caused Brantly's
inmediate arrest. Public sentiment,
while against lyneh law, oyerwhelm-
ingly approves the course in this in
stance IN view Of the facts in the case.
Bisnily is the iirSt white man ynched
III Georgia in many years, and the affair
csuses great excitement throughout
ibis entire region.