Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-12-02

tl o9S 90 " Wiz silooulA 'hV wv ~ VIC f
Punishment. Sonic suggested hat Al
calde Codlfc hifnselfxtake The WHIP and
carry out the sentence, but he said hc
did npt propose 70 act as both judge
and e&ecutiofer.
Then, bySgeneral acelamation, it was
defrest thaS as'sL LYeky BilP'was the
man Who was robbed ana had Suffered
through loss of money and the destruc-
tion of .vahlables papers, ,She was the
proper pctsonto DO the whipping Bill
said he was ready and willing to exc
cute the sentencesof7 7thescourt.s' 'ssE@ss.sss
A big blacksnake whip was obtained
from man with train of pack mules
who had come up and halted toswatch
proceedings of the court. Tile whip
was handed to Bill, who at once began
preparations for using it in vigorous
manner. He took off his coat and vest,
then rolled his shirt sleeves above his
elbows
At that time Lucky Bill' was about
thirty-fve years of age, He was fine
specimen of the frontiersman. lie
stood nearly six feet in his stockings,
weighed about one hundred and eighty
pounds and was powerfully muscled.
His complexion was dark, he wore a
heavy black beard and his black eyes
were keen and flashing.
Taking the heavy whip, he placed
himself in position behind the naked
culprit, who stood in readiness to take
the allotted punishment, his hands
bound to the tree high above his head.
Taking his distance, Bill cracked the
whip and whirled it about his head as
though to stretch and supple his
muscles
The poor fellow at the tree was
twisting his neck about at every
"swish" of the whip through the air,
and Bills ferocious aspect inspired him
with such terror that his eyes were al
most starting from their sockets. All
present wondered why Bill did not be-
gin his work instead of whipping the
air, and there were murmurs about the
cruelty of keeping the culprit in such
an agony of fear and suspense.
Suddenly Bill threw the whip away
and drew Misunderstanding bowie
knife, at which every spectator shud-
dered and few started toward him
He waved all back and cried: "As |
have been appointed to punish this
man / will not disgrace him by whip
ping him" Then turning to the Dutch
man who was twisting his neck in or.
der to watch his motions, he said: mo,
you have been turned over to me as the
man, you wronged, and | intend to do
as please with YOU" Apparently Bill
had worked himself up into perfect
frenzy of wrath
Don't kill himv' cried DR.. Pinigre,
alarmed at Bills ferocious look
Think of his poor wife and children. ;"
"No, don't kill him." chimed in
some miner or settler; sit will be
enough to cut off his ears"
'Oh, mine Gott! mme Gott!" cried
the poor Dutchman, whose eyes were
following every whirl of Bills big gilt
tering knife.
"Shut your mouth" cried Bill, ad.
dressing the trembling wretch, "Now,
listen to me. am told you have wife
and children who are good and respect
able. / will not bring disgrace upon
them by either whipping or in any way
marking you"
Then with sweep of his knife Bill
cut the thongs by which the fellow
was bound and said to him: Go! Off
with you! and let this be II lesson to
you all the rest of your days."
The crowd Justify cheered this uneX-
pected ending of the affair, and DR.,
Pinigre shook hands with Bill and
with tears rolling down his checks
thanked him for sparing his erring
servant
~ think he is cured" said Bill. 81
don't believe he'll ever again be tempt
ed to pocket things that are not his
own"
The Dutchman was dressing, and as
he skinned his shirt over his head he
SAID: Never, never, so help me Gott!''
In the good book it is written:
blessed are the merciful, for they
shall obtain mercy" but it was not SC
in Lucky Bilrs" case, for another
court" of the settlers of Carson valley
} hanged him-hanged him after mercy
had been promised.
/ Lucky Bill" was man who was
: well liked by all who were his neigh
J bors at the upper end of Carson valley,
where he lived with his wife and chill
dren, fo- he was always obliging anC
very hospitable; also was jovial auC
companionable fellow. His summary
execution by a merciless vigilance
t ! committee on suspicion Of his being il
= league with cattle thiefauS n:a4derel
! caused a division Of the settlers int
, two bitterly hostile parties, The val
| ley was long kept in fern ent ant
5 personal encounters were frequent be
tween members of the ''vigilanteS" OF
: one side and the "law and order party
? on the other But that is anothe
r story. Dan dc Guile, m San Fran
asca, ChrNnSa1a