Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1892-11-23
STORY OF A LYNCHING.
A FRONTIER SKETCH.

For many years Ogalalla, on the line
of the Union Pacific railroad, held the
distinction of being considered by
Western men the worst place between
the oceans, until Rawlins came into
prominence. passed one night, said
an old frontiersman, in Rawlins in the
fall of 1878, and then I came to the
conclusion that life in any other town
would be tame and without excitement
in comparison with the pleasure that
place could afford.
No one alighting from the cars in
the quiet street in Rawlins would be-
lieve that the many stories of blood
shed told of it were true. On one
side of the railroad track stood a big
barnlike building called the United
States hotel, and on the other row
of twenty or thirty one-story frame
houses, almost every one of which was
barroom with a gambling house at
tached. Over the doors hung such
signs as "The Cowboys Retreat"
"The Divan," and "The Frontiers
mans Delight"
Behind the town on the top of hill
was situated the city graveyard an
immense cross, which could be seen
from a great distance, stood at the top
of the hill, and served as q landmark
for travellers for miles and miles across
the barren prairies. That graveyard
was the pride of every man that lived
in Rawlins. The inhabitants watched
it grow, and pointed with pleasure to
the fact that there was hardly man
taking his final rest there who had not
come to his death by violence.
1t was toward afternoon when l
halted my horse in front of the United
States hotel after forty-mile Tide.
Heavily armed men stood about in
groups. The looks thrown mt me were
far from reassuring, but pretended
not to see them, and fastened into the
hotel. Hardly had taken my seat in
the dining-room when four men, evil
IDENTIFY forming delegation, ap-
preached me. They demanded my
business, and what brought me to
Rawlins, in way which left me no
alternative but to answer. My an
swers seemed satisfactory, and one of
them informed me of the reason OF
their curiosity. They had some idea
that l was a deputy sheriff, and
frankly told me that if l had been l
should have been escorted out of town,
as no government officers were wanted
about Rawlins that night. They fur
ther informed me that there was to be
one of the prcttiest lynching bees in
town that night that had ever taken
place.
Three men had come to Rawlins
ten weeks before, and had taken the
town by storm. They had made their
headquarters at IA tavern almost oppo-
site the hotel, and had levied a tax on
every one who entered. Anybody
who objected to paying or standing
treat was beaten, and when resistance
was shown pistols were used. Ten
men had received their death wounds
from these three men, and the town
Uau W SCl S|>oAiH' ~
all such characters by hanging the
three without further ceremony. 1t
was not easy, however, to accomplish
this, as they were intrenched i'll the
barroom. and refused to come out or
allow any one to enter. 1t had been
determined to dislodge them that
night, in spite of all resistance, and l
was invited to take part i'll the affair.
The three men were named Joseph
Chambers, Jack Willis, and Wat Sim
mons, and were desperate outlaws
with large sums upon their heads.
Just at dark the citizens ut RawIns
prepared for battle. The attacking
parties were divided into two forces.
One approached the point of attack
from the rear, while the larger number
marched up to the front. All the cltl-
zcns wore handkcrchiofs over their
faces. I was with the main body OF
attackers, or rather behind it. We
were brought to i sudden halt by Il
rilleshot from one of the windows Of