The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-26

Obliged 10 move 20 the more ihNiu"e'
but narrow fats OF Campbell
AZ Tho stream OF travel Increased, Lyhch
made II convenient for way tarefS 70
halt Al the south end Of his Terry ~
erected a house for their accommonauvh'
a blacksmith shop, store ana o'ne,
such accessories of a new setlie,nen'
soon followed The ferry became u Ni, ,,,1 :.
then a town. then city set on mn
a teeming centre OF trade radiant WIZ
the evidences Of prosperity 30 h'u0" 'V'
the real founder Of Lynchours- L.
Colonel Charles Lynch was tne ~
hrotber Of the owner OF Lynch's ieTfS.
He seems 10 have been different kihu Oh
man from the latter. His personal APP
pcarance must have been femarkapie,
from the testimony OF those VINO had
shared with him the hardships OF the
Geld In summer heat and amid the frosts
of winter. He is described as an athlete,
Of gigantic form. and noble presence. Ac-
cording 10 the same authority, he was
gifted with a strong understanding Dut
With little cultivation Of mind. Unlike
his more provdent and thrifty brother
ne cared not for the accumulation Of
money. was hospitable and liberal TO an
extreme degree. ana the ardent advocate
Of human rights and the equality of men
before the law. BY nature brave and
fond OF adventures he was ready TO play
his part In public affairs, where the eX-
hibition Of courage and personal respon-
sibility was required. With all
this Lynch was really a man of
domestic tastes and habits. lie had
passed the greater part Of his
life at stanton" his country
home, IN the county Of Pitt
sylvania. Va, on the banks Of the
river OF the same name. lie did not re-
sign the quiet contentment Of his nome
until after the beginning Of the Revolu-
tionary war. SO soon as this occurred
his ardent patriotism caused him at
once TO take up arms against the enc
mics of his state. Having subsequently
served IN several campaigns, it is said
he was finally promoted to the rank Of
Colonel He was well-known as good
fighter. and particularly distinguished
himself at the dismal and bloody battle
Of Guilford Courthouse.
A man cast in so heroic a mould could
not. therefore. be expected 10 remain
passive amid extraordinary emergencies;
such a spirit was incapable Of inaction
when the occasion demanded the exercise
OF his peculiar gifts. 1t was because OF
thess very gifts and this strong personali-
T.
been, unwittingly and undeservedly, 80
long associated with the atrocious blot
upon modern civilization now called
Lynch-law. How this came about will
now be'shown.
The region Of country In which Lynch
resided, as has been stated above. became.
at one period OF the Revolution infested
by bands OF Tories and outlaws whose
depredatiOns upon the defenceless people
extended from the lower parts of North
Carolina and Virginia 10 the passes Of the
Blue Ridge and the head waters Of the
James and other mountain streams. De
serters from both armies added strength
and a semblance of organization to their
operations. Wherever they appeared. the
terror-stricken inhabitants were plundered,
harrassed and mercilessly subjected TO
every variety Of insult and outrage. a
remedy was needed for this insuherable
state Of things. a remedy that should at
once strike such terror 20 these mis-
creants as would relieve n community
already suffering from the effects Of
hostile invasion. Colonel Lynch was the
man 20 take the lead in such an emergen-
cy. He succeeded in organizing a body
Of patriotic citizens, men OF known
character and standing. Having laid his
plans before them, and securing their APP
into execution. At the head Of his follow
ers. he promptly got upon the track Of
the unsusrecting enemy; captured many,
and caused the others to flee from the
country When any Of these outlaws
fell into his hands. they were not taken
at once TO a tree and hung or tied TO n
stake and shot as is now done under
the perverted system of the present day.
This was not according TO the code Of
Colonel Lynch and his followers.
So far from such a iawless procedure
a jury was selected from Lynch's men.
over which he presided as judge. The cap
tives were tried separately, the accused
allowed 20 make his own defense and TO
show cause, II he could, why he should
not be punished. If found guilty, the pun
ishment was inflicted on the spot The
general impression has been that in all
cases Of Lynch-law. the penalty was
death. This is a mistake. A writer who
knew Colonel Lynch Well was assured
by him that he never willingly condemned
a criminal TO capital punishment; that
prisoners were frequently let off with a
severe hogging and then liberated on CON
dition that they would leave the country.
w. r. T.
(frO he conclude