Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-02-07

Kentucky, as boy was noted for his
cowardice,, and as man not only
feared his fellow men, but would go
miles out of his way to avoid women.
Yet there came time in Kentucky, as
well as other parts of the South, when the
true courage of all men was severely tested
During the Presidential election of 1860
men in Kentucky voted piUa Uoce, and of
course. every one expected that John Harris
would take to the woods, as he known
to be a rank Abolitionist and the only Lin
coin man in the whole county.
AS John was a quiet inoffensive man
and great reader, and never seemed to
have the courage to resent many insults
were heaped upon him when his anti
slavery statements were known
The memorable election day of 1860 was
at hand; excitement was very great and
feeling ran high.
The voter had to approach the cleo
tion table and call out the name-either
Douglas, Breckenridge, Bell or Lincoln
for whom he desired to cast his vote. The
election table was surrounded by mob of
desperate men and election "bums.'
John Harris at the appointed hour was in
line ready to cast his vote
The excitement was intense. and some
threatened to shoot him if he dared to vote
for Lincoln. His neighbors could scarcely
believe their eyes when they saw the
Coward" standing calmly in line, ap-
parently not needing their threats.
He had told them that voting was a
sacred duty and that he intended to cast
his vote even if death should be the result
When John reached the voting table
pointed at him and he was again warned
that he must die if he voted the BLACK Re
publican ticket
He merely smiled at their threats and
told them he would vote although he died in
the act.
After giving his name in full he was
asked the usual question-"Who do you
vote for?" He replied, II vote for Abraham
Lincoln"
At this moment James Wilson, who was
afterward General Rousseau's Union scout,
sprang to his feet and said, 81 am Demo-
crat and the first man who attempts to do
harm to John Harris is a dead man"
John voted, and instead of turning around
and walking out of the room, he walked
backwards, holding a large knife in each
hand, while James Wilson covered the
buns" with a double barrel shot gun.
The bum element was paralyzed with as
constituent. Not a word spoken for
some time John Harris went to his home
unmolested. Going to his room, he threw
himself down on the bed and cried like a
child. tn, The psychic condition which pos
ice again controlled him.
On the tenth of June, 1861, there gath
cred large crowd of people near Russell
vile, Kentucky, to feast upon roasted OK,
and to hear speeches from Humphry Mar
tal. and others advocating secession.
Many people ignorant of the pur-
port of the meeting and were out for a
good time, aud among that number was
John Harris
present. Martial was on the stand de-
nouncing the Northern people an, and urged urged
the Stars and Bars, the emblem of seces
sion. John and one of his cousins were
seated upon a log listening to the speech
es when in the distance was heard the
beating of drums and whistling of a fife.
procession of sons of Southern plant
ers approached carrying aloft the Stars and
and Stripes. At the sight Of the latter John
turned pale and trembled like leaf.
As they came nearer, Johns face flushed,
his eyes sparked and springing to his feet
he grasped the Stars and Bars and in an
instant tore it into shreds.
CONSERVATION seized the whole crowd and
not a word was spoken for several mo-
ments, But soon there was an outburst of
wrath from every tongue, and they adj
vanced upon him for the purpose of aveng-
ing the insult TO the Confederate flag.
xiii the Abolutionist; hang the Black Re-
publican" shouted the now Infatuated mob.
John Immediately backed out from the mob
distance, but soon saw that he was
surrounded and there was no escape. He
stopped down and picked up club and
begun to strike every man in reach. HIS
blows with the club were powerful that
several we're knocked senseless to the earth
before he overcome.
Finally he was taken by the mob and in
a few moments rope around his neck
and he dragged until he was uncon-
scious. The rope was loosened and he be-
gan to breathe and when he was able to
stand his hands and feet were tied to a
small sapling growing near.
Then a consultation held as to
whether or not they should burn him. On
account of his having two brothers who
were Secessionists and who had already en-
listed in the Confederate Army, 1T was
deemed best not to torture him with fire.
with fendish ingenuity they spread syrup
on his face and exposed parts, to attract
flies of which the woods were full.
During all this time not a groan was
heard from John. The day waned and the
people enjoyed themselves as only Ken
tuckians can. Not a mouthful OF water
was given him. and the flies swarmed over