The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-06-24
How "Pom" Corwin Saved q
Bcnefactor's Life.
NEARLY LYNcHED BYFA MOB.
Spoiled his Daughters Honeymoon
by Shooting two Men How the
Great Ohio lawyer Succeeded In
Clearing him-Rodo froh Ohio to
Indiana on Horseback tor!Dcicnd
tho Friend Of his Youth. 3;

%. H #a t. d
Mills when he was several years
younger. but almost as well known,
delivered a lecture at Rockford. Ill.
Presiding over his meeting was a
venerable looking man with white
beard. which hung well down towards
his waist. Mr.. Mills was told that the
chairmah's name was Bibb, and that
he was formerly lieutenant governor
of Ohio. .t- 57,g,
After he had finished his lecture,
Mr.. Mills walked home with one OF the
members OF the reception committee.
As they strolled along Rockford's al
most deserted streets. under the light
OF the full harves. moon,5 Mr.. Mills
asked: &c., rHlh
who is this man Bibb? They tell
me he used to be lieutenant governor
OF Ohio"
WHAT exclaimed his companion,
stopping in the road. Don't you know
who Bibb Is? Haven't you ever heard
the story Of BIbb?"
mo. never have"
why. I thought everyone had heard
the story Of Bibb! And so you really
don't know 1t? Well you mustn't live
another hour without hearing it. Sit
right down here, and I'll tell you the
story of BIbb."
So the two sat down on the grassy,
moonllt bank In quiet Rockford, lit
their pipes, and Luther Latin Mills
listened attentively while the farmer
told his tale.
And this is the story of Blbb as re-
lated to Mr.. Mills these long years ago
d story which he loves best of all to
repeat, because its hero was Thomas
Corwin, candidate for President of the
United States. noted lawyer, most ia
nous OF stump speakers in ante
belium days. governor OF Ohio. minis
ter 10 Mexico. and member OF Com
gress.
Bibb. in the early days of Ohos his
tory. was active in politics. He was
we'll liked. though regarded us eccen-
trio. He was elected lieutenant COVER
nor after filling minor positions. When
BIB stepped out of this office he had
grown tired Of the maelstrom of po-
ltical life. He loaded his family and
household goods into few wagons
"a u
farm in Winnebago county,
lie grew ssayer In mis- new home.
living Il quiet. happy life. respected by
all Ills neghbors. His family grew up
about him, sharing the respect In which
the father was held. In the course of
time RibD's eldest daughter had BIOS
soaled into beautiful womanhood and
became engaged to one of the honest
young farmers of W!nnebaEo county.
The wedding was celebrated under
the ohioan's roof In right good old
fashioned style. but later in the even
Ing 4 Northumberland cnarivari party
paid q call, waking the echoes with
horn. pan. and drum. Old Blbb had
left Ohio to get away from just such
nolsr and confusion and so. stepping
TO the door, angri!y exclaimed:
Get off my Iand!"
The mcrry-makers laughed at him.
IN give you just three minutes to
leave my property"
There was more laughter and annoy
ance. Bibb went into the house.
Your three minutes are almost up"
he said overwhelmingly. returning an in
slant later.
More noise. more beating of pan and
drum.
Promptly upon the expiration of the
three minutes Bbb again stepped to
the door-this time with shotgun in
his hand.
Bang bang!" twice spoke the old
gun.
BIbh had killed two of the first young
Ilen In Winnebago county.
Quietly stepping back into the house.
he put the gun back on the old rack,
kissed his wife and his daughter.
whose wedding night was thus dark
cned by double tragedy. went to the
barn. silently hitched up his rig. drove
70 Rockford. and gave himself UP to the
sheriff.
WInncbago county in the space of
The fathers whose sons had been shot
down led n mob against the Jail. but
the sheriff by cool action save his pris-
0ncr from the Infatuated farmers. so
Wtnncbngo county settled down to
nurse Its deep wrongs and heap male
dictions upon ths. head Of Bibb.
And the newly-made wife spoiled
her honeymoon and eyes by weeping.
~ special grand Jury was summoned
and Bib was Indicted on two charges
OF murder. There was no session OF
court for six months. so BIbb made
himself MS comfortable as possible. and
the countrymen talked over the trag-
cGy again and again as they worked
In their fields. ~
About week after the shooting there
rode into Rockford stranger on n
roam mare. He was tall. smlins,- and
wore n black soynbrero. He went to the
village hotel, handed his mare over to
the hosicr, and said he intended to
stay while. No one knew who the
guest was or whence he came. but each
morning he rose Mt 3 o'clock. break
la9ted, saddlcd his roam mare. rode out
INTO the country. and returned in the