Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-02-21
ORIGIN OF LYNCH LAW.
IL Began In Virginia and Was Not Vic.
lent or MOblike.

early history of that State. 1t was not
mob law, as it is now understood. 1t
was orderly, methodical, and fair in its
processes, and was strongly opposed to
violence or mob rule. Its distinctive
feature was simply that its DEGREES and
findings were executed sternlv and
swiftly upon the spot of their delivery.
Charles Lynch, whose name is asso-
ciated with the summary proceedings
now known as acts of lynch law, was
Revolutionary soldier, and after the
war ended took up his residence in Pitt
sylvania County. The region in which
he lived became at one period OF the
Revolution infested by bands of Tories
and outlaws, whose depredations upon
the iefenseless people extended from
the lower parts of North Carolina and
Virginia to the passes of the Blue Ridge
and the head waters of the James and
other mountain streams. Deserters
from both armies added strregth and
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. remedy was needed for this
insufferable state of things, remedy
that should at once strike such terror
to these miscreants as would relieve
community already suffering from the
effects of hostile invasion. Col. Lynch
was the man to take the lead in such
an emergency. He succeeded in or
ganizing a body of patriotic citizens,
men of known character and standing.
Having laid his plans before them, and
securing their approval, he at once
proceeded to put them into execution.
At the head of his followers he prompt
ly got upon the track of the unsuspect-
ing 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 tree and hanged or tied to tree
and shot, as is now done under the per-
verted system of the present day. This
was not according to the code of Col.
Lynch and his followers. So far from
such lawless procedure jury was
selected from Lynch s men, over which
he presided as Judge the captives
were tried separately, the accused al
lowed to make his own defense and to
show cause if he could why he should
not be punished. If found guilty the
punishment 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 writ
er who knew Col. Lynch well was as
sured by him that he never willingly
condemned criminal to capital pun.
ishment that prisoners were frequent
ly let off with severe fiogging and
then liberated on condition that they
wonld leave the country.
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