The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-06-25
RUN OUT OF TOWN.
WILLIAM De MUND TARRED AND
FEATHERED AT SALEM.
MAD ACT OF A LARGE MOB.
De Mund Reaches Kenosha. Gets OF the
Tar and Swears Ont Lot of Grim
ina1 Warrants Against Alleged
Members of the Mob.

A wild mob took the law in its hands
at Salem Monday night and tarred and
feathered man by the name of Will
liam De Mund, put him on rail and
gave him ride out of town and then
chased him for mile or two with
drawn revolvers. Such is in general
terms description of a performance
which sounds more like a page from
some dime novel than like reality,
which took place in and brings dis
grace upon hitherto law abiding COM
munity. 1t is an outrage upon the law
as we'll as upon the rights of an indi-
vidual, and not one member of the
gang, be he of high or low estate,
should go unwhipped of justice.
But let the plain story be told. 1t is
strong enough in itself to bring the
blush of shame to the cheek of any
man, woman or child who loves and re-
veres the law, without any words of
the condemnation such action deserves
from this paper.
1t seems that this Mr.. De Mund was
a repairer of boots, shoes and harnesses
in Salem. He kept shop for the pur-
pose and took his meals with the family
of Robert Sibley. 1t has been alleged
that Mrs. Sibley is not always in her
right mind. Somehow the story got
circulated about the town that De
Mund and Mrs. Sibley were sustaining
relations of undue intimacy toward
each other. Of course, the allegation
is that De Mund was taking advantage
of the mental condition of the woman.
De Mund heard these stories in circu-
lation and claims he has strenuously
denied all of them, claiming that Mrs.
Sibley was a woman as true as
steel" These denials, however, did
not seem to satisfy the people. They
were kept going with a persistency
which BODIED no good to the subject of
them. Feeling began to attach TO the
stories and this began to grow and to
spread. Various members of the
community began to make threats.
These threats began to inspire an un-
holy contempt for law, and as the feel
ing grew the determination came that
De Mund must be dealt with. No at
tempt was made by any one to prove
the truth or falsity of the stories. That
they were true went without question.
On the theory that where there is
much smoke there must be fire, the
people said that must be evidence
enough for them and they did not stop
to attempt to uncover the fire.
De Mund Ready to Stand Trial.
The law provides way by which
such things may be properly dealt
with. DeMund told the people that if
he was accused of any crime he was
ready to stand trial at any time. He
made no effort to get away from town,
While these stories were being circu-
lated and he was kept busy denying
them, he staid at his bench and con-
tinued to work at his trade, peacefully
and quietly. He heard the threats,
but he said to himself, Z" live in law
abiding community, and these men
will not seek such vengeance for mag
mary wrongs" The threats grew
thicker, but he still maintained his
faith in the order loving populace.
Finally on Monday Postmaster John
Button warned De Mund that mob
was being organized and that if he
valued his life he would do we'll to quit
the town. Even then DeMund could
scarcely believe the people would at
tempt to mob him. He called On JUS
tice of the Peace Ripley and asked his
advice in the matter. Mr.. Ripley
advised him to stay, telling him the
storm would blow over and that he did
not believe the citizens would dare to
take the law into their hands. So he
felt better fortified in his constitutional
rights. He bethought himself to tele-
graph to the sheriff for protection, and
even after he reached his room to re-
tire he almost made up his mind to go.
The advice he had received from Mr..
Ripley, however, quelled the impulse
and he settled down to a troubled rest,
feeling sorely apprehensive.
NIB Uses Tar and Feathers.
Mr.. De Mund went to bed at his shop
according to his usual custom. AT
about IL o'clock knock came on his
door. 1t was loud and peremptory
one. De Mund leaped out of bed and
looked out. 1t was a bright, moonlight
night. He saw gang of people gath
cred about. There were probably fifty
of them. They had masks over theil
faces and were otherwise disguised, Sc
as not to be recognized. He asked
who it was.
"Open the door and we'll show yol
who it is, came gruff response from