The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1891-06-26
HORRIBLE iiAssAcRs.
The Chicago 7yms. pablIshs.'ths follow

: Mel, veteran soldier and the hero Of IN
! famous Palmyra massacre. dropped deaf
! In possofice Y last evening. Deceased
was In command OF Palmyra, Mo-, In 1864
when he issued notification 10 Col Porte
Of the rebel forecs, who deserted the plac,
i on the approach OF McNiei, that Andrew
4 / Ailssnsn, q native Of tiie place, was miss.
9 Ing and that he must be returned In ter
days or he would have ten persons favor
Ing the confederate cause executed. Tn.
following account oi the massacre will b.
! l'of Interest nj this time:
Sept. u. 1864. Col Joe Porter. q regular
iy comn.issioned confederate officer, raidet
Palmyra and took twensy-iour prisoners
All OF them be released except Andrew
AIlsnian, whom Porter wished TO carry
out Of Missouri as prisoner s,f war - :
military act, the aim OF which was the ie-
lief Of private southern citizens from per
seeulion. for Aiismsn. who was physical
] iy unqualified for active service as q home
mlllliaman, ha6 rendered himself curse
to private citizens In business, home, and
hreslde. while doing worthless service to
the government rs snesklng, un.fu.hiul
laformer. Potter, finding that his course
was not wise, gave Aiismsn the privilege
Of returning. but he was sfraid 70 leave
the camp unguarded and guard Of Ais
mans own selection was provided from
among Porters troops, many OF whom
Allsman knew, and knew 10 be men who
would not knowingly or unjustiy harm
him. The prisoner and escort took their
departure, bot IN sosne way,inore than like
iy after the watch and word Of the guard
had been fuialled. he fell Into the hands Of
men who had determined that his Insults
and injuries TO their families and friends st
home should cease. and Aiisman never
sgaIn reached Palmyra.
Oct. 8. 1851. Gen MeNiel issued an order
to Col rss,er notifying him that n Aiismsn
wss not returned to psinsyra In ten days
HON that date ten members Of the board
which was responsible for Aiismsn's dis
Appearance would be shot. OF feouse the
missing man never returned and shortly
after noon. Oct. IS. 1864. a detachment of
soljiers detailed TO do this bloody deed
marched 70 the jail and took their station.
Presently two large government wagons,
each containing I've rude coins. Numbered
up TO the jsIi and halted. Directly the
doomed men were brought forth and Of
dered 10 mount the wagons and take their
seats on the coins, which they did In Q
calm and courageous manner.
After the prisoners had taken their
places each wagon Was surrounded by .
squad Of soldiers and the order giyea to
march. The solemn procession then crossed
10 Main s.feet. up which II passed with
not sound 10 break the stiffness Of the
scene except The commands OF the officers,
the muffied tread OF the soidiess. and the
grating Of the heavy wagon wheels upon
the gravel. Words Of sympathy were
welling up In the hearts of those who
viewed the solemn eortege. bu, they dare
not give ulteranee 10 them, and the tears
eoursed down she cheeks Of friends who
would have s.ayed the murderer's hand
could they hare done 10. Many people
could no, bear the sigh, and had retired to
their hcmes before the hour for the pro-
cession.
From Main street the procession wend-
ed lie way to the fair grounds. half mile
east Of town, and halted in the arena. Tie
men then dismounted from the wagons,
the collins were place In half circle. and
the prisoners ordered 10 take their seats IN
the rude boxes. Alter permitting short
Iprayer, which was cut short by the com
mand Of the oliicer,,he soldiert were form
ed into line facing The prisoners, who sal
on their collins. With faces 10 the west,
Bandages for the eyes had been offered 70
the prisoners. but they waved them ava,
and gazed calmly into the murzles of the
gilssenlng, death-dea'ing weapons Of ths
soldiers--all except one poor. simple
minded fellow who sat near the south ent
OF the circle. He. hardly knowing whal
he did. accepted the bandage. but per-
ceiving that tie Others had none. he tor.
Il oil and Aurg Il upon the groand.
i The command was given: SNAKE ready!
The loud and ominous click Of the gun io<k
WAS heard as the weapons we're thrown 10 III
shoulder. "Take aimi" Not face blanche'
or muscle suivered as the cleaning death
dealing weapons were held In position await
ing the hral order. '.Fire!' There was q lou,
report. and some Of the forms, few minute
before so fall Of lie and vitality. ywsyed b
and fro for an instant and then fell back o.
heir cofins. stark and stiff In death. But III
deadly work was net finished. Several re
mained untouched.
Many Of these poor soldiers detailed to q
the uAusderous work. from which they coul
not escape. had hearts Ia their bosoms ,ha
should have shsmed McNiel. Many aime
high over the heads Of the prisoners. an
bullets were found buried In the buildin
opposite. some At height Of six or eight e,
The second rank then stepped forward an
delivered volley, and when the smoke cleare
away the forms Of the murdered men ID
strewn upon the ground. But the horrib
bu.chery was not Jet completed. Revolve
= were then brought into action. and the exs
cutioness passed around and fred Eve or s
!, bullets into each body. thus making sure the
1 heilish work was accomplished.
The remains Of the brave and noble me
: who met death In so heroic a manner, we
! then carelessly thrown irio their rude pi
4 collins, hauled to tswu, and deposited in
j. building TO await the arrival Of relatives
claim them. Friends who asked to take char
a Of the bodies were repulsed with oa.hs al
s curses, and none dared complai.. Even u
! most prominent loyalsts dared not openly d
Q nounce the crime, and many we're forced
}. sign what is known a. the 'sAlcSiel Memorial
= document indorsing Mcriels action. which
now in the departments At Warrington, Al
' on the strength Of which Lincoln promo.'
II McNicl.
q MS FoorIS n.
ell John Sherman In his speech In the Oh