Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-05
PLUCKY LAWYER WILSON.
He Reasoned with the Lynchers While
They Snapped Pistols About His Head.

From the Louisyille Courier-Journal.
One incident in connection with the lynch
ing of James Deavin and Charles Tennyson at
Corydon. Ind, at o'clock last Thursday MORN
ing, is particularly noteworthy, and has since
been the talk of the county. 1t was the nerve
displayed by Deputy Prosecutor Thomas J.
Wilson, of Harrison county. who had the cour-
age to do what no one else would do.
MIR. Jerry l.. Suddarth, OF Leavenworth, is
the prosecutor for the district Of Harrison and
Crawford counties and Mr.. Wilson is his deputy
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 future. Nothing has raised him more
IN the estimation of the people of his county
than his action before the mob. Mr. Wilson,
or, as he Familiarity called. Tom" suspected
trouble, and, when he noticed countrymen
riding into the town in pairs about midnight,
what he could
he first went to Town-Marshal Willis G. Heth
and told him he thought the mob was gather
ing. and asked him to 60 with him to help
guard the jail. Marshal Heth did so at once.
The advance guards of the regulators had
posted themselves 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 another minute the
mob had surrounded the Jail. and two hundred
pistols were being brandished in the air. About
hfty OF the lynching party wore masks of yari-
Gus colors, while the larger body wore none
but were otherwise disguised The masked
men Immediately surrounded the Jail doors,
while the others undertook the job of keeping
the town people back at a safe distance. SO
mat none OF the lynching squad could be rec
ogniZed.
stand back; get backr' commanded the
leaders to the people; get away from herer'
and the citizens of the town, with a few excep-
tons, got"
-, Several of the mob had forced their way into
the nall OF the residence connected with the
jail and had Sheriff Shuck covered with re-
yolvers. and were demanding the keys, which
the sheriff refused to give up. At this moment
Deputy-Prosecutor Wilson pushed his way
through the crowd and mounted riding block
In front of the house.
Listen to me!' he shouted. "What do YOU
want here?"
I'VE demand of the sheriff of Harrison
county the keys to the JAIL
Wei, you can't get Them" said Wilson.
II we don't get them tonight we will burn
the town and come back some other night and
take them" cried the leader, to which senti-
ment the mob gave expressed approval
NO, you won't do anything of the kind"
answered wilson, in whose face dozen pistols
were cleaning. You would not disgrace your
selves and the county by such an act"
We've got enough of that talk" several
yelled; get down and go away from here, or
well shoot you, too"
You'll not do any such thing You must
listen to me. OH / don't care for your pistols;
IN going to make you hear me. Don't put such
a blot on the fair name OF this county. To
lynch these men either proves that there is a
mob spirit in the community or that the courts
do not do their duty. The courts always have
done their duty, and they will do it with these
men. Deayin and Tennyson. Let the law take
its course"
DRY upi Get down from there or you will
get the next bullet from this pistol. 4" was the
reply from one of the mob, as he fired his re-
yOlver in the air.
Il don't care for your threat" returned the
plucky young prosecutor, You must listen to
reason, and I'm going to talk, don't care how
much you shoot"
AT this dozen more pistols were thrust
under Mr. Wilson's nose. and there was an
omlnous choking of the old-fashioned hammers
Marshal Heath and Mr.. Cyrus b. Lewis who
had made their way to where Mr.. Wilson was
facing the mob, single-handed aud unarmed.
heard the clicking. accompanied by cries of
Hang him, too, if he don't stop talkingr'
They expected every moment to see Wilson
shot, and they stole up behind him and. grab
bling him tightly, pulled him down from the
block and away, their progress being accele-
rated by the hurrying of the mob. At that mo-
ment the hammering of the large sledges on
the doors began, and then Deavip and Tenny-
son were in the hands of the regulators before
nything could be DONE