The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1889-07-17
PLUcKY LaWKER WILSON.
I He Reasoned With the Lyachsrs While
They S7appsa Pistols Ahn2t Him.

+ ne hedsohe0 Nth the LyRchsrs While
They SauRpedPtstoIs AbO2t Him.
| One incident in connection with
the lynching of james Deavin and
Charles Tennyson at Corydon, Tnd.,
at l o'clock last Thursday morning,
is particularly noteworthy, and has
since been the talk of the country.
1t was the nerve displayed by De-
putty Prosecutor ThomQs j. Wilson,
of Harrison county, who had the
courage todo what no one else would
do.
| Jerry L. Suddarth, of Leascn-
worth, is the prosecutor for the
district of Harrison and Crawford
counties, and Mr.. Wilson is his de-
putty for Harrison county. He is a
young man to occupy such place.
but his brains, courage and legal
knowledge have already marked
him as one Of those upon whom
honors are likely TO fall in the flu
ture. Nothing has raised him
more in the estimation Of the peo-
pie Of his county than his action
before the mob. Mr.. Wilson, or,
as he is famiIiary called, tom"
suspected trouble, and, when he
noticed country men riding into
town in pairs about midnight, he
knew what was eomming and sgaid
up to do what he could.
He first went TO town Marshl Il
! Wills g. Heth and told him he
thought the mob was gathering,
and asked him to go with him to
help guard the Jail. Marshal Hcth
did 50 at once. The advance guards
Of the regulators had posted them
selves about town in pairs, when
the thunder of the horses hoofs of
the main body was heard on the
bridge few hundred yards from
the Jail. In al other minute the
mob had surrounded the jill and
/ two hundred pistols were being
braudished in the air. About fifty
Of the lynching party wore masks
Of various colors, while the large
bo1y wore none, but were otherwise
disguised. The masked men M
ane'Iistely surrounded the jail doors,
while the Others undertook the
job of keeping the town people
back at a safe distance, so that none
of the lynchIng squad could be rec
/ 'gnizcd.
"Stand back: get back" com
inandtd the leaders to the peoT lie ;
get away from hert!" and the citi-
zens, with few exceptions,
get"
Several of the mob had forced
| their way into the hall of the resi-
dence connected with the jail and
had Sheriff Shuck covered with
revolvers, and were demanding the
keys, which the sheriff refused to
give up. At this moment Deputy
Prosecutor Wilson pushed bis way
through the crowd and mounted a
riding block in front of tho house.
Listen to mel" he shouted,
"What do you want here?"
1--WE demand of the sheriff Of
Harrison county the keys of the
Jail"
We'll, you can't get them" said
Wilson,"
"lf we don't get them tonight,
we Wal burn the town aud como
back some other time and take
them" cried the leader, to which
sentiment the mob gave expression
approval.
"No, you won't do anything of
the kind" answered Wilson, in
whose face dozen pistols were
cleaning. You would not disgrace
yourselves and the county by such
an act"
"We'ye got enought Of that talk, -
several yelled "get down and go
away from here, or wen shoot you,
too"
GU II not do any such thing.
You must listen to me. Oh! /
don't care for your pistols; I'm GO
ing to make you hear me. Don't
pat such blot on the fair name Of
this county. To lynch these men
either proves that there is n mob
spirit in the co immunity or that
the courts do not do their duty
The courts Away have done their
duty, aud they will do it with these
men, Deavin and Tennyson. Let
the law take its course"
Gtnr,, ,,ot Eo4 Jox,,,, 1,.o.,. H.