The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-26
HANGING ELDER BeOUN.
Tho Miners were Accommodating, but
They Dlslikcd To Hurry.


We simply had to hang him or so back on
law and custom and lose all our dignity as
mining camp. The elder wasn't n bad man
by any means. He'd been real church elder
in Indiana. and he'd have probably been thcre
yet IL the preacher hadn't eloped with Mrs.
Brown and sort O. broke him up He used to
pretend he didn't care two cents about It. but
we knew ho did Fact Is. no mans wife can
slide out and leave the supper dishes unwash-
ed and the children crying to be spanked and
put to bod without being missed. The older
didn't go back on religion on account OF the
mishap. but he was down on preachers like a
ton Of brick. II he could have been turned
loose with hundred Of them he'd have con-
sidered it a failure il ono got away alive.
He'd been with us at Strawberry Hill over
six months when he did the killing. One day
he heard that q preacher was down at Toma-
hawk Point. and he went down to he tho death
OF him. The preacher had gone the day before.
and the elder came back all broke up and out
OF sorts. A miner named Dan Peppers flung
out something mean. and the elder lost con-
troll OF himself. and hit him with pickaxe
handle and killed him on the spot. There
wasn't any need Of trial. dozen men saw
the killing. and the elder himself explained:
I'm guilty. Of course. and thar's no necd OF
you wastin' time in foolin' around. know the
law anu cAHoCt you II eiIOiCc 10
Yes. we've got to hang you. OF course"
said Judge Bebee. who was the boss of our
diggings in the matter of law and order.
but thar's no great rush about it. Let's SEQ
To-day is Tuesday. How would you like to DO
hung along about Friday or Saturday. elder
Fridays the regular hanging day. but we kin
Jest as we'll wait till Saturday afternoon. l
never did believe in rnshin, such things"
don't see no object in waitin. replied
tho elder. ms he nut his cOfpppOt tha fro in
front Of his shauty. LAS long as I've got to
hanG mishrt as well 60 don't
know. cldcr-l Hnow Just how You feel"
continued the Judge. "and yit We ain't rushed
drive n hog outer the garden. II YOU kin git
ready by, saturday that7 % fur Us
~ agreed upon the day. and two men were, de.
tailed to guard him IN his shanty, He kept
ms Ss the nn morn
Look here. Judge; don't want to be low
lived: but amt :on,, to stand this any longer.
Know S' # tut an,t 5aEi@ a" Iii d 'foniort
think | orter hev my say about II" -,
Yes. it does appear kind er that way. I'll
blow the horn and get the boys up and SEQ
We were ali called in and the case stated.
and a vote was taken rs TO whether we should
ton was carried by nine majority and the
Judee returned to the si!ontty 10 say:
inform You that you are to be hung this after
noon at , O'clock
Thanks" ronlied tho elder. Our boys
are always Q le?tle SLOW. Git 'em around on
time il you kin"
I'm do nv puriest. elder. and now you'd
bctter prepar fur your Journey. You're goin
over the divide. and you'll never return"
At exactly o'cloci the elder was standing
on the head Of II pork barrel under "A tree
Will u rope was made fast to a limb above his
head
Elder" said the Judge. after sccng every
thing in order. the boys are expecting q
speech from you on this suspicious occasion.
i've got nothin' to say" he replied. Dog
gone my buttons but I'm glad IN {: ,in'!"
Don be in no rush. elder: lots of time to
turn around in. IL you want to talk wen give
YOU an hour or two. lt'll break tho afternoon
for us. anyhow. you know"
lin no t.lkor Go ahead with your hang
Wall. elder. it's only material you'd he n
leetle outer sorts under the sarcum ST nces
and We won't Keep you any longer. Good-by
to You"
There was rope fast to tho barrel dozen
men pulled on 1t, and tn" elder was swung Off
He died very n,asy. and that evening alter tho
burial Judge Robee observed:
don't want to seem capShus and over per-
ticker. but it does app ar to me that after tho
way wa humorcd that elder h. ortcr hey
spread hisself on speech. It's tho last time
~ nut myselt, out to hang man two days
ahead Of time"