The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1892-09-16
SAVED BY LIGHTNING.
AN ELECTRIC STORM MODE
FIEs THE SENTENCE.
A Mob That Failed to 0ivc y Cont Of
Tar and Feathers-Thought tho
Lightning u Sign of Divine.
Dlsplcasure.

Many good stor es concerning events
that trAnspired in early days at this
place when Nebraska wus still ter.
ritory. are occasionally related by
some OF the old pioneers says the
Omaha Bee. There was very little
II any law in the territory at that
time save that which was adopted
and enforced by organizations OF set-
tiers known US claim clubs for their
protection. as circumstance ind neces.
sity required, while the mode of ad.
mn stering just ce and punish ing
offenders was sometimes rather severe
and upon some occasion, was tho
means OF intlicting punishment upon
innocent persons. Yet with its defects
II had some redeeming qualities For
1T Is well-known fact that one dose
OF the punishment used in those days
was great plenty and never had to
be ministered to a. person second
time. In those days cluim. jumping
was practlced by a certain class OF
individuals TO such an extent that 1t
became the cause OF much trouble and
annoyance to settlers And against
this nofarious practice the efforts Of
tho claim clubs were especially di.
rected. Whenever an oirense wa,
committed against any of It's members
the club would be Gale together and
number Of men detailed to arrest
the person or persons charged with
committing the oifense. who would DO
brought before tho club for trial. The
captain OF the club would act as Judge
and II upon the evidence the offenders
were found guilty (and they generally
were) tho punishment would be pre-.
scribed and detail made TO carry out
the decree.
The punishment generally consisted
OF so many stripes laid on tho bare
back, u coat OF tar and feathers or n
trip across the river with the strict
injunction nevet TO return On some
occasions tho whole dose was given.
Captain II. A. Longsdorf tells OF an
Instance. however in which the
sentence OF tho court was not fully
executed.
A party OF claim. jumpers including
father and two sons had jumped u
claim belonging 10 a member OF tho
club and rs usual tho matter was
brought before tho club and several
men were ordered out to arrest tho
Jumpers and bring them in for trial.
the party started out to make the
arrest and met the jumpers coming
into town. They were commanded to
surrender but refused to obey tho
command and n fight ensued. which
resulted In one OF the claim club
members Mart Blower by name. be.
ing shot and the father OF the claim.
jumpers receiving broken log. Re.
Inducements arrived and assisted tho
club members to make tho arrest
just at this time Harry T. Cook mr..
rived. armed with butcher knife.
and. learning that Blower had been
wounded. insisted on admin STEERING
the punishment without delay.
Henry was admonished TO let the
club dispose OF the matter. which he
finally concluded to do but declared
BY all that was great nni good that II
Mart Blower died his slayer should
not 60 unpublished II no had TO follow
him to the unc splorcd depths OF tho
hot place. They were taken before
the club. tried found guilty and sen
fenced 10 receive coat OF tar and
feathers and FREQ rllo ncross tho
river A feather pillow was coniri-
buted by one OF tho ladies' Of Fclle.
vue. but no Tar could bo pro .ured In
tho city. Soon however ssmo nctiye
mind Ind hit upon plan aud pro.
posed that they mix iampblack and
lard rs n substitute for tar. which was
according y done. Captain Longs.
dorf and several other members OF
tho club were detailed to execute the
sentence.
Tho prisoners wcre led down to tho
OLD forty landing tho father being
compelled to hobble along with n
broken leg. and were followed by n
curious crowd OF men. women and
children. numbering 100 or more.
They Ind scarcely reached the land.
Ing. however, when the sun. which
had been shining brightly all div.
disappeared from view and tho sky
was suddenly filled with dark and
threatening thunder clouds and the
entire artillery OF tho heavens seemed
to have been instantly aud continu.
ously exploded. Terrific flashes OF
lightning dnrted down here md there
and danced on the tops OF huge waves
that rolled along before n terrific gale
That sudden aud terrible transforma.
ton scene seemed TO strike terror To
the eart OF overy ono that witnes sod
It. Tho prisoners fell upon their knee,
and begged for mercy.
Tho mon who had been chosen 10
execute tho scntenca though sworn
10 do tho r duty. hcsitatcd and seemed
afraid to commence their awful task.
Tho awful storm seemed as n spocIal
warning OF Providence 10 stay thor
hands and suddenly the feeling over.
spread tho ihrong that tho hand OF
Providence was stretched down 10 In.
ierfcro In behalf OF tie prisoners
Cries Of Stop for Gods sake; don.
do II" wcro heard on every hand.
Tho captain Of tho club then mn.
pcarcd md commanded tho men 10
dcsisi from executing tho sentence
until tho club could DO called together
ind tsgo further action which WIN.
Immediately done Tho matter wns
rcconsidored md tho sentence modi.
ii,d. tho tnr and feather portion being
countormnndcd. Tho prisoners were
escorted across tho river and have
never boon henrd Of since but tho
ovont was never 10 DO forgotten by
those who Witnessed It.
snri~nt Greece H~viv~d.