The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-03-14
PREVENTED A LYNoHINo.
Perilous Position Of Senator Between
Mob ana . Prisoner


Perilous Position Of . Senator Between
Mob ana . Prisoner.
"There is no more courageous man
In the world than Senator Teller" said
Maj. Peabody to Philadelphia Times
correspondent. "Hc has passed through
many thrilling experiences during his
lifetime, but on no occasion was his
virile manhood and magnificent cour-
age displayed to greater advantage
than on the evening after the news Of
the assassination of President Lincoln
was received in Leadville. A miner,
coming from the shaft where he had
been working oil day, upon being in
formed that President Lincoln had
been assassinated in Washington, care
lessly said: He did not die too soon,'
THAT unfeeling and unpatriotic re-
mark was passed from lip to lip until
everybody in the entire community
had been made aware Of It. Shortly
after nightfall a mob broke into the
mans house and dragged him to pub
lie hall, where lynch court trial was
to be given him. He had absolutely no
show for his life. The entire crowd
appeared to be unanimous in a desire
and determination to kill him. A long
rope had been carried to the hall, but
hanging was regarded as too good for
the man. The rope was to be used by
the whole mob, and the unfortunate
fellow was to be dragged to death
through the rough streets.
senator Teller was young man
then, but he had already gained the
respect and confidence of the people, all
OF whom knew him at least by sight.
In his law Office, which was half
block away from the public hall in
which the lynch court was being held,
he was informed of the situation.
Hastily taking his hat in his hand Mr..
Teller rushed downstairs, out into the
street, and made his way to the hall for
the purpose Of saving that mans life.
Numerous friends of Mr.. Teller en-
deavored to restrain him, because they
feared that he might suffer at the
hands Of the mob If he interfered. But.
with set teeth, he proceeded to the hall,
pushed his way through the crowd,
took stand on the platform beside the
trembling prisoner, waved his hand for
silence, and obtained it.
"He thereupon addressed the mob
and informed them that the prisoner
was not their prey, but prisoner of
the United States, and that the city
should not be disgraced by the exercise
OF mob law upon a man who had made
thoughtless remark. He was inter-
rupted by angry cries and shouts of the
mob, who declared that no man should
stand between them and their victim.
"Mr. Teller than stepped to the front
Of the stage and informed them that
one man at least would stand between
them and their victim, and that before
they should execute that man without
trial they must wreak their wild VEN
geance upon him. He commanded ST.
lence again and declared that the man
was his prisoner, that he would take
him to the United States jail in Denver,
where he belonged, and see that he
should have fair trial for his life. The
result of the effort made by Teller,
which no other man in the community
would have dared to make, was that
Teller led his prisoner through that
mob, out of the hall, into the street to
q railroad train, and landed him ii, the
United States Jail at Denver as he de.
clared he would do"