The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-03-16

| messenger had sped. commanded Bosley
| to surrender Still holding the gun by the
barrels, tried to wrest it from him, and in
the effort pulled him out of the saddle
Then ensued terrible struggle between lis
for the gun. Boslcy retained his hold upon
II. He was large, muscular fellow, and
he was in frenzy. He cooked the lock on
the loaded barrel and pushed me backward
all the time endeavoring to bring the gun
In range with my body, while was strug,
gllng as desperately to hold the muzzle on
the ground.
In this way he ran me back to some
Dram bles My feet became entangled, and
fell on my hands and knees. still held
to the gun. l called for help | shouted
murder. No one came to my relief. Nv
legs were crossed. l was powerless. | kent
on struggling, and at last got nv feet
squarely under me. With all my strength
| suddenly raised erect, lifting Bosley off
his feet, throwing him over nv head and
wrenching the gun from his hands.
Our entire train was soon on the scene.
and Bosley was put Hnder guard, and we ali
travelled on, the object being to Join another
large emigration train, and with this in
creased number of men TO hold a council
and determine what should be done with
Bosley.
On June Is, 1852, we found a mule train
from Pennsylvania, bound for Oregon. We
now had at least 100 men 1t did not take
long for the leaders of the companies to de-
eide upon plan Of action. Bosley should
De tried then and there for murder,
A hollow square was formed of OK yokes,
In the center OF this square Bosley was
made to take seat. \ jury of six un-
biased men was chosen 10 ear the evidence
The captain Of the Oh ,gon company con-
Quoted the trial. After the evidence had
been given the jury retired from the rest of
the crowd and soon agreed that the prisoner
was guilty, but could not fix the punish
ment. The Oregon captain then drew a
long line ON the ground and said "AIl of
you who are in favor Of in1icting the death
penalty Immediately will cross this line"
The crowd rushed like a flock of sheen
over the dead line" not half dozen re-
framing from this call for vengeance. The
jury again retired and came in with the
verdict that Bosley should be shot at 6
O'Clock the next morning.
The hour OF execution came. Twelve men
were drawn by ballot to act as executioners.
One OF the party was instructed to load six
rifles with powder and ball and six with
powder only. The guns were then placed
in the hands of the l2 men, who marched to
the place where the prisoner awaited death
The Oregon captain then took "A blanket
and spread it on the ground. Bosley knelt
down upon it with his back to the rihemen.
VI to this time he had borne himself with
heroic fortitude. He asked that he be al |
lowed to give the signal to fire by raising |
lls right hand, and his request was granted. |
lie turned his head, looked behind him and !!
asked, "Gentlemen, are you ready?" saw |
marked change coming over his face. He |
dropped his mead and asked question that |
started the tears in every eve, ''Is there |
my one present who will pray for meP"
In the file of men with the rifles was a
German who the previous evening had Wis.
ted Bosley and sought to talk with him
concerning his spiritual welfare. Bosley
lad at that time waived all such consola-
ion 1t was this German who at once laid
lis gun upon the ground and stepped for
ward. never heard prayer more fervenU
nd eloquerC. No man but n Christian
ould have performed this double duty of
nediator and eXecutioner. His prayer CON
luded, he stepped back into line and took
p his rifle. Then the captain pronounced
hese words in n clear tone:
Make readyW and l2 rifle barrels were
'yeled at the kneeling sacrifice to border
lstice
Take aim," and the gunners steadied
for the fatal signal, and Bosley's
ght hand went up
Fire" and instantly flashed the yolloy,
'verberating wild and unearthly death
nell among the crags that looked down
pom that awful scene, III
In the clear morning air the smoke OF the
ans ourled lazily and hung like a funeral
NJ over tho mangled and bleeding form.
70 aug grave, rolled him in his blankets 4
ID buried him where he died