Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-10-25
RIOT AND BLOODSHED.
Attempt of an Angry Mob to Seize
and Lynch a Negro,
Guilty OF q Foul Crime, Met by tho Bull
lets of the Militia at Washington
Court House, O.-The Killed
and Wounded.

anu rlOG rules. 1rOuDle OF the most
serious kind is on. Thousands of an
CRY men and boys surround the court
house and batter the doors with mis-
siles. William Dolby, the negro brute
who assaulted Mrs. Mary Boyd. is the
wretch On whom they wa. &c vreak
their vengeance. He was brought to
this city yesterday, and last night the
first rumors took shape. The militia
was ordered out, and later two COM
panies from Columbus reached here.
Much indignation was manifested at
the action of the officers in thus put
ting a bar between the mob and their
prey, and on all sides denunciations
were frequent. ALI classes were repre-
sented among those who took this
view of the situation, although many
deplored the 1awless spirit manifested
Later in the day special grand jury
was impanelled and the negro was in
dicted. The indictment returned.
Dolby was taken from the courthouse
to the Jail, tried and sentenced to
twenty years imprisonment in the
penitentiary, about as quick as it takes
to write it.
The companies formed at the west
SAS&S III VIC SouI Tic SneTlu
and Deputy James Buck went to the
Jail for the prisoner. The west en-
trance to the courthouse is about forty
feet from rear side door of the Jail
and there are high steps leading to the
former. A thousand people had gath
cred in the courthouse yard to angrily
protest against the course of leaden-
heeled justice. A thousand people
with curses and imprecations vowed
that Dolby should never be taken past
them up the high steps to the hall.
The sheriff and his deputies had
hardly emerged from the Jail door
when the acknowledged leader of the
crowd, Henry Kirk, who married Mrs.
Boyd's sister, rushed toward the trem-
bling wretch, protected by the sworn
officers of the law, and breaking
through the thin ranks of the stalwart
guard seized the culprit with hand
of iron.
Quick as flash the musket of SOL
dier was swung with great force and
Mr.. Kirk was dealt blow in the face
The angry crowd rushed madly for
ward, and in the rush swept one gal
liant boy around the corner and away
from his company; but he quickly re-
turned to his post.
The curses and imprecations of the
thoroughly maddened crowd grew in
volume, and the wretched prisoner
trembled like an aspen. The sable
colored ffend became purple, and he
had to be supported. Col. Colt rallied
his men for a supreme effort, and the
prisoner was almost carried up the
steps and into the courthouse. Then
there was a scene of intense excite
ment. Men armed with slaves and any
form of weapon rushed blindly into the
bayonets of the soldiery, and some So
far forgot themselves as to rush almost
on the troops. Deputy Busick and De-
tective Caldwell held the prisoner be-
tween them and neither forgot his
nerve.
Henry Kirk, frantic with rage,
rushed down an alley for surgical aid,
and presently returned with huge
plaster over his face. His friends, we'll
dressed farmers, and even business
men of the city rallied at his appear
ance. and there were hoarse cries of
|'Weu get him yet" Its long way
to the depot"
Col. Colt. commanding the troops,
stopped on the steps of the courthouse
to warn the excited people to dispense
and after his earnest warning had
fallen on deaf ears, he shouted Load"
and there was uniform clicking of
hammers, and every soldier prepared
his piece for trouble, if trouble must
come.
The startled crowd fell back few
steps, and several of the more timid
rushed for the corners, but they rail-
lied almost Immediately and closed in,
but the soldiers held them back.
Once up to the third floor of the
courthouse and into the room where
the trial is held, Dolby was soon le-
gally declared criminal. At ex-
actly 1852 he was led into the court
room, and in three minutes he was
sentenced to twenty years imprison-
ment, ten days in each year in soli
tary confinement. Dolby was brought
into the court room with both hands
manacled. He was trembling, and had
to be supported when the court asked
him to stand. He told his name
Have you read the afidavit?"
eyes,"
'Clerk, you will read the affidavit"
said Judge Maynard.
The reading done, the court asked
the prisoner how he would plead, and
the wretch answered Guilty" The
sentence was then pronounced, and
Dolby broke completely down.
Meanwhile, the crowd was clamor-
ing for admission. The crowd grew in
numbers. and the accessions proved an
inspiration to the tired leaders, who
had exhausted themselves. DIR. Nc
Nair, of the Presbyterian church, cir
sculated among the angry men and en-
-deavored to get them to listen to rea-
son. but his wise words fell upon closed
ears.
Sergeant Andrews, of Company A.
,one of three men of that company, who
came with the troops, and Private Len
hart, of Company b, were struck with
stones while standing on the court
house steps during the rush, but stood
their ground manfully. Sergeant An
drews was struck in the head with
stone that glanced from Private Len
hart.
Col. Colt at this juncture telephoned
the Acknowledgement at Columbus for
200 additional troops. eff you want
me to bring the man to Columbus"
said Col. Colt with characteristic en-
phasis, 81 will do it, but it will cost
blood" Col Colt then made speech
to the crowd.
cit looks very much" said ne, ''as if
YOU intend to make an attack on the
Iaoal authorities. There will be trouble