Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-07-28

culiar TO the Indian, and ne could un-
derstand some that was said in English.
He was said to have been born in Cat
tarancus county. State of New York,
and which adioins Mexican county, this
State. We would suppose he was from
thirty to forty years of age. The rem
nant of Indians in that section are now
known as "Cornplanters- Formerly
they were known as the six Nations.
one of which tribes was known as the
Mohawk tribe, and hence, it is suppos-
ed. came the name Sam Mohawk,
meaning Sam of the Mohawk tribe. The
Indians up there in those days were
great raftsmen. AT least they Were
often employed by the whites TO take
RATS of lumber down the Allegheny
river to Pittsburg. This Is the way
Mohawk got TO Pittsburg- Many OF
them returned through Butler on foot.
A string of perhaps ten or fifteen or
them would often be seen going through
here in those days, returning TO their
homes. There never was any complaint
of any bad conduct on their part IN
passing through here. They behaved
themselves well, as far as we ever
heard, as did Sam behave while he was
here in Butler. no one appearing to be
harm or disturb anyone.
On the evening of June go Col
Brinker. believing he was sufficiently
restored in health, started him on his
way home in the stage. The arrange
ment as was said was to send him as
far as the Stone House hotel in the
Mercer stage, so called, and from there
he could be taken or 90 on the Franklin
road towards his home The stage left
him at the Stone House, then kept by
Mr.. Sill. What all took place there
never was made very clear. Mr.. Sill IN
his evidence on the trial of Mohawk, as
we recollect, did not seem willing TO
admit Mohawk had got any liquor at
his house. But the general opinion was
that he did and that in consequence a
trouble arose between Sill and the
Indian. which resulted in the doors of
this hotel being shut and locked upon
him and Mohawk left to wander in the
woods. Ii rained little that night
and where and how he spent it could
only be coniectnred But in the early
morning OF next day he reached the
Wigton house. Mr.. Wigton, unfortun-
ately, had risen early and gone to
neighbor's on an errand, leaving Mrs.
Wigton and five children in their beds.
What all took place there never was
and never can be known. When Mr..
Wigton returned he found his wife and
five children all dead. A bloody stone
near the door showed the weapon used
in this most horrible deed. Mrs.
Wigton's body lay outside the house
and near her was the large family car
wing knife. 1t was supposed she had
arisen and was using il in the prepara-
ton of breakfast. Cuts upon her hands
and arms showed a fierce struggle be-
tween her and the savage. She was
said 10 have been rather large and
stronge woman and everything around
showed she had fought bravely for her
life and that of her children. Mohawk,
when he would be asked why he killed
her and children would say little more
than that she was Gross" The suppo-
sition was that che had ordered him
away. as a frightened woman naturally
wonld, and that tbis with the effects or
the whiskey he had got at the Stone
House. and being out all night, caused
the devil to possess him and do that
awful deed.
Mohawk fled, but was soon seen, pur-
sued, captured and secured, in house
about mile distant into which he ran
and barricaded himself. He wanted his
captors to shoot him then and there,
and had it not been for the efforts OF
Mr. William Stewart, well known and
worthy citizen who lived at Hickory
Mills at that time, this probably would
have been done. He was brought to
Butler and lodged in Jail Great ex-
citement soon followed. The people up
in the Wigton neighborhood feared the
u fhaf ha nh
escape from it, or that by some other
way or means he might not receive the
inst penalty for the crime. This fear
caused the people there to assemble ana
resolve. 10 come in a body, take him
from iail and tnke the law into their
own hands. They were headed by Col.
Samuel Louden. a brave man, and who
afterwcrds was Captain Of one Of the
fret companies that went 10 the de
fence of the Union from this county.
The citieens Of this town were OF
course greatly alarmed on hearing OF
Col, Louden and his nleo coming and
the then Judge. Hon. John Eredin
Hon. William Realty. Samuel A, Hll-
more Esq, and perhaps other leading
citizens, were dispatched TO meet the
people coming. They met them about
a mile north Of town at what was then
known 90 the gleppey House, now Berg
farm. Here speechee we're made and
an exchange Of opinions had. yesultlng
in the men agreeing TO return TO tneIr
homes. While this was going on The
Sheriff here in town was busy making
all efforts possible TO defend the Jail
and his prisoner in cass Of an attack A
we'll known citizen, James Gilmore
Campbell, was then the County Sheriff.
He was q brave man Rnd determined 20
uphold the law and do his duty. For
this purpose he summoned every man
in reach, ~ posse comitatus, to de-
fend the Jail. The people generally
obeyed. There was large crowd IN
front of the jail, some with gans in
their hands. Much excitment prevail
ed, and it can easily be imagined that
it was great relief to the citizens OF
Butler when the news came that Lou
den and his men had been met and had
returned to their homes The Jail then
stood In the rear Of the present one and
Mohawk, in consequence Of the fear OF
his escape, was placed in the basement
dungeon room. 4 large ring, fastened
Ia the middle Of the floor, had tygo
pretty heavy chains attached 70 it, and
each one Of these chains was attached
to foot Of Mohawk lie was often
visited by the Rev q. Bassler very
good man and minister then living here.
Mr. Bassler left paper called con
fession o2 Mohawk, which we believe
was published III cgr papers after his
execution.
At the September term Of Court 1913.
true bills Of Indictment, six in number,
one for each of his victims, were found
against Mohawk We would like here
10 give q copy Of one Of there bills but
our space viii not permit Each bill
had three counts.
The trial came on Mt the December
term Of court, lSi3. Hon. John Bredin
was Judge, Dunlap Mclaughlin, Esq.
was County Attorney General, called
thea Prosecuting Attorney and now
District Attorney All bills were then
signed with the nane OF the Attor-
ney General Of the State. the pgo.-
ecution was assisted by Attorneys
Charles G. Sullivan and our present Tx.
Judge, Hon r. McJunkin. NJ. Nc
Junkin made his frat speech 20 n jury
in this case. Mohawk was defended bg
Attorney George w Smith Of this place
and Attorney ~. y. FettermaD Of
Beaver, Pa They both addressed tho
jury. Mr.. Fetterman was very eiouu
ent and pleasant speaker. Mr.. Smith
spoke at great length, the.greater part Of
. full day. as we recollect He had
pile OF books before him on the table at
t.uaf tr.,s, FaaG hfgh frh. 1afaura t,.au