Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-02-28
FORMER PARIS MAYOR
WRITES OF SHOOTING
IINLExINGT0N

Upon request of a number of its
subscribers and readers the Daily
Register publishes below a card from
former Mayor James M. O'Brien Of
Paris, giving his views upon the
shooting into, the mob at Lexington
a few weeks ago. Mr.. O'Brien was an
eye witness of the, whole affair and
expresses his views very strongly.
He says:
EDITOR PARIS DEMOCRAT
Honor to whom honor is DUE, and
"Giving the Devil his Dues" are
synonymous terms and I am more
than willing, at all times to give
any and everyone full credit for any
meritorious action performed, but,
In common with most, l object to any
one, public officials especially, being
singled out as the objects of praise
which, as is well known is entirely
undeserved.
Ny reference is to the officials of
the STAGE of Kentucky and of Fay
cite county, who are being given
great credit at present for their he
foic defense of the Majesty of the
law. My own impression is,-7and
think it is shared by the thousands
who were in Lexington on that fate
full day,-that if the picture of the
scenes in Lexington at that time, with
q true account of what happened,
could be thrown upon the screen where
everyone, could see, that the name of
everyone connected with this most
damnable affair would be a kissing
and u by-word in the mouths of all
people, even those who are most OPP
posed to mob law.
The action of the authorities in
bringing Lockett to Lexington for tri-
al under such circumstances was en-
tirely unprecedented, but it was ap-
parent from the beginning that the
affair was not only being deliberate
ly staged, but the trial was to be used
as a mean to crafty the vanity and
advance the political interests of GER
tain persons in Frankfort and Licking
ton by allowing them to pose as the
original and only upholders and de-
tenders of the majesty of the law.
Not only was the trial set for Coun-
ty CouTt-day when a large crowd is
always present, but every avenue of
publicity was used to make the crowd
still larger. In fact-and it was Of
ten commented upon-it was adver-
tised like a three1rings circus. The
scene in Lexington on that morning
reminded one of holiday in Ancient
Rome whens the populace turned out
to celebrate the return of q conquer
ing hero at the head of his victorious
1egions ND, ~
! And this undoubtedly was the i'm
preston sought to be conveyed The
people of the Bluegrass were to be
permitted, for the first time to-gaze
tpon theif Masters. 8
Glancing over. the scene upon my
arrival and noting the preparations
made to defend the prisoner and tn
made to defend, the, prisoner and the
attitude Of those IN charge, there i'm
hnediately came into my. mind the, i'm
age of Simon Legfee. Theirs attitude,
Il translated into words seemed to be
IDS follows::i s1Slaves, look upon your
Masters and tremble. We know why
YOU are here and what you want. We
know that the blood of the South
land is coursing holly through your
veins. We know that your minds and
hearts are filled with just and an
honest rage. We know your over
whelming and ungovernahle desire to
wreck your vengence upon this fend
incarnate. We know your feelings
are natural and justifiable and fol
that reason we have brought him here
for you to see. We will torment you
with the sight of him, anger you, ex-
cite you, but if you dare to so much
as raise finger we will scourge you
to your kennels, like the ours that you
are" 80
The, crowd assembled seemed to sense
all this, and under such circumstances
it would have been miraculous indeed
Iif some outbreak had not occurred
Indeed it looked as though one was
desired. e'h"
AS Il see it the responsibility fol
! the tragedy rests solely and square
ly upon the officials in Frankfort anC
Lexington who sought to use such ;
horrible crime to advance their per
sonal and political interests. Upol
their shoulders and upon their con
sciences rests the responsibility IOf di
the blood shed that day-for the si1
men occupying untimely graves 10
women made widows and children
made orphans. And to them also at
taches responsibility for such shame
if any, which may have been brough
upon the State.
Standing in front of the Interurba1
Station, which had reached a few
minutes before the shooting occurred
| viewed the scene. The street il
| front of the Court House was throng
ed with curious thousands. 1t scenes
in no sense mob, in the general &C
ceptation of the term. Suddenly
shout went up and from the crow,
some twenty or thirty men broke loos
and made an effort to ascend tn
steps of the court house. At the to-
iof these steps, which are about 81:
or seven in number and about fourtee
fleet wide, stood a guard of soldier
with their commanding officer. say
TODD & SONS