Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-14

III 1AttlC u - SOuntys
Kentucky. as a boy was noted for his
fesred his fellow men, but would 60
miles out OF his way to avoid women.
Yet there came a time in Kentucky. as
well as other parts of the South. when the
During the Presidential election of 1860
men In Kentucky voted viud poce, and of
course, every one expected that John Harris
would take to the woods, as he was known
to be a rank Abolltionist and the only Lin
coin man in the whole county.
ana a. 'onn was a aaie,' inonensiye man
have the courage to resent, many insults
were heaped upon him when his anti
The memorable election day Of 1860 was
at hand excitement was very great and
The voter had to approach the cleo
tion table and call out the name-either
Douglas. Breckenridge. Bell or Lincoln
election table was surrounded by a mob Of
desperate Iohn men and a ,s election buns"
line ready to cast his vote.
The excitement was intense. and some
threatened to shoot him If he dared to vote
V standing calmly, IN line, ape
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
there were not less than five or six pistols
pointed at him and he was again warned
that he must die If he voted the BLACK Re-
He merely smiled at their threats and
told them he would vote although he died in
After giving his name in full he was
vote for?" He replied. Il vote. for Abraham
this moment James Wilson, who was
a%fterward General Rousseau's Union scout,
sprang to his feet and said, 81 am a Demo-
crat, and the first man who attempts to do
harm to John Harris is a dead man."
and walking out of the room. he walked
backwards, holding a large knife in each
.SS%s. w ai,S = sa% sss,s W1ls11 G sHo, s,D the
The bum element was paralyzed with as
tonishment. Not q word was spoken for
unmolested. Going to his room. he threw
himself down on the bed and cried like o
child; THE The psychic condition which pos
: Ice again controlled him.
On the tenth Of June, 1851, there gath
cred a large crowd of people near RUSSELL
Vile. Kentucky. to feast upon roasted OK,
tial, and others advocating secession.
Many people were ignorant OF the pur-
port Of the meeting and were out for a
good time, and among that number was
when he arrived on the grounds there
was already a great gathe,ing Of people
immediate secession. Above him hoated
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 w%histling of a fife.
A procession of sons OF Southern plant
ers approached carrying aloft the stars and
Bars. and trailing in the dust the Stars
and Stripes. At the sight Of the latter John
turned pale and trembled like a leaf.
As they came nearer. Johns face flushed.
his eyes s%parkled and springing to his feet
he grasped the Stars and Bars and in an
instant tore 1t into shreds.
CONSERVATION seized the whole crowd and
! not a word was spoken for several mo,
wrath from every tongue. and they ad-
yanced upon him for the purpose Of aveng-
ing the insult to the con fec nag.
publican shouted the now Infatuated mob.
John Immediately backed out from the mob
some distance, but soon saw that he was
surrounded, and there was no escape. He
stopped down and picked up a club and
begun to strike every man In reach; His
blows with the club were SO powerful that
several. were knocked senseless to the earth
before he was overcome.
Finally he was taken by the mob and in
a few moments a rope was around his neck
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 was 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 hendish 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
people enjoyed themselves as only Ken
tuckians can. Not a mouthful of water
was given him. and the hies swarmed over
his face and hands like bees.
Two men stood guard to prevent anyone
from relieving his suferings. When night