The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-12-17
ORIGIN OF LYNCH Law.
THE FIRST CASE OCCURRED IN
IRELAND LONG AGO.
Judge Lynch. OF Galway. Executed His
Own son--Convicted OF Murder He
strangied His OnsprIng
Before the People.


irish. make many extraordinary
claims We lay claim to the success
full In war: the great expounders OF
the law and gospel; the pioneers OF
our beloved United States; the politi-
cal orator; the sacred place holder
and the Office. hunter.
So we desire to lay claim to the
origin OF lynch law. which on that
occasion, was the act OF father to-
ward an only son after he had been
found guilty OF q capital offense and.
being unable to find u willing hand to
carry out the decree OF the court per-
formed the act OF execution with his
own hand and at the risk OF his own
life. BY this act the multitude was
Observation-Disclosures was done and
the dignity OF the law upheld not
withdrawing the relationship OF the
condemned and his executioner.
We are far advanced in civilization
to-day our laws are more merciful
than those OF that time but we lack
an infusion OF .digniiled. even handed
justice. fearing none and favoring
none-such as was shown In those
early days by the mayor OF Galway.
which we have In the following mar
rative:
James Fitzstephen Lynch was de-
scendant OF an old English family.
who in 1172 made settlement in Gal
way Island. In 1493 no Is recorded
as mayor or warden of that city. who.
as merchant traded largely with
III
thither to purchase and bring back
cargo OF vino Young Lynch spent
the money intrusted to him and OBJ
tanned credit from the Spaniard whose
nephew accompanied the youth back
to Ireland to be paid tho debt and es-
tablish further intercourse.
The ship proceeded on her voyage
home and as she ncared the Irish
shores young Lynch conceived the
idea OF concealing one crime by com
hitting another. Having seduced or
frightened tho crew into becoming
participants. the Spanish youth was
seized and thrown overheard. The
father and friends OF Lynch received
the voyager with JOY.
One OF the seamen was taken sud-
denly ILL and in II fit OF remorse sum-
moned Mayor Lynch to his dying bed
and communicated to him full reve-
lation OF the villainy of his only and
beloved son. Young Lynch was tried
found guilty and sentenced TO execu-
ton the father being his judge. The
wretched prisoner however had
many friends among the people. His
relatives resolved that he should not
die a shameful death and they deter
mined on his rescue.
Day had scarcely dawned when
the signal OF preparation was heard
among the guards without; the
! father arose and assisted the execu-
toner to remove the letters which
bound his unfortunate son; then. I'M
locking tho door. he placed him be.
tween tho priest and himself lean
| ing upon an arm OF each. In this
manner they assembled a fight OF
steps lined with soldiers and we're
| passing on to gain the street when q
| new trial assailed the magistrate.
for which he appeared not to have
been prepared. His wife. failing
| in her personal exertions to save the
| life OF her son had gone in distrac.
ton TO the heads OF her own family.
and prevailed on them for the
honor of their house. 10 rescue him
from ignominy.
They flew to arms and prodigious
| concourse soon assembled. whose out
cries for mercy to the culprit would
have shaken any nerves less firm than
those OF the mayor OF Galway. lie
exhortcd them 10 yield submission to
the laws OF their country but finding
all his efforts fruitless TO accomplish
the ends OF justice at the accustomed
place and by the usual hands. he by
desperate victory over parental
feelings resolved himself to perform
the sacrifice which no had vowed 20
pay on the altar
Still retaining hold on his rc-
fortunate son. he mounted with him
by q winding stair. within the build
ing that led to an arched window
overlooking the street which wa,
filed with the populace Here he So
cured the end OF tho rope. which had
been previously fixed around the
neck OF his son. to an iron staple pro.
jecting from the wall. and after TAX.
ing from /. him last embrace.
launched him into eternity." This
man OF strength and justice this
chief magistrate expected instant
death from the fury OF the populace.
but the people were so overawed OF
conrounded by the justice OF the act
that 1t Is said they retired slowly
aud peacefully TO their homes.
/ Here then is Lynch law in IT.
incipiency. and who can find faul
with the Justice OF the act; who car
but admire the strength OF the man.
whose wife and kindred were unable
TO divert him from the right? Thu
flashing OF the sword. the threat o
instant and violent death from ar
enraged people were not sufficient Il
mar his sense OF Justice nor stay hi
hand in performing its execution.
Lynch law is therefore Justice.
regardless OF social position. kinship
politics or .wire-pulling. His onl.
son was murderer aud In tn,
absence OF others his own hant