The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-12-02
DEATH OF RICHARD
MOLEN RECALLS NEAR
LYNCHING In 1870
Furious Mob Ready TO Lynch Sup.
posed Murderers Of Richard Molen
When He Put In Ills Appear.
ance nj Mt OlIyet.
(By W. II. LYNCH.l

: oiVet toDertson county, 10 work q
, his trade, that Of shoemaker.
I April 21st 1879, will long be remem
bered by the people OF Mt olivet, 70
never before In the annals OF tn
county were the people wrought up t
such degree of excitement as the
were on that memorable day. Cool
headed, law-abiding citizens who, un
der ordinary circumstances woul,
scorn to do a rash or violent act
could hardly keep themselves within
the bounds of law and justice, while
the reckless and excited citizens
gcaded on by the report that a hor'
rible murder had been committed n
the community, called loudly for ven
geance.
A few months before this day OF
connection Richard Molen, a man OF
middle age, after having made his
horc for many months with pros
porous farmer Of this county by the
name of Ashpaw, packed all his pos
sessions in a valise, which he swung
across his shoulders, and started to
seek employment in another county.
Two negro men, Levi Stout and
Charles Duncan, were seen talking
With him on the morning of his de-
parture, and Giles Bradley, who was
well liked man, was also seen with
him on that unfortunate day. But
Richard Molen would, perhaps never
nave been thought OF again had it not
| been for one or two little circum-
stances in the immediate neighbor-
hood there lived poor old white
haired man of seventy winters by the
name of Morgan, who has son com
monty called BOZ" Suddenly the
neighbors of Morgan were startled
by the external transformation that
had taken place in him and his son
No longer did the ragged old trouser'
80 often patched that it was difficult
to determine the original cloth, cove
the old mans palsied limbs. A brand
new pair had taken their place, and q
good coat mantled his dropping Shout
ders. "Boz's" brimless old hat was
supplanted by nice, soft felt of mod
ern style. He also wore white shirts
and immaculate collars. Suspicious
comments we're whispered around.
The problem was solved as soon as
the good wife of Mr., Ashpaw saw
Charles Morgan and his son Boz"
She identified the trousers as the eX-
ira pair she made for Mr.. Molen and
the coat as the one he wore on special
occasions. When questioned as to
where they got Richard Molen's
clothes they became confused and
neither could give an intelligent ex-
PLANTATION. Excitement and suspicion
spread rapidly. Everyone remembered
where and with whom Molen was last
seen, and these facts confirmed them
in their belief that he had been robbed
and murdered by Chas. and BOZ"
Morgan, Giles Bradley, Chas. Duncan
and Levi Stout. Upon searching Nor
CANS house the valise and several
pairs of homeknit socks were found
and identified by Mrs. Ashpaw. The
alarm was given. Nlolen's brother,
who lived in Maysville accompanied
the Deputy United States Marshal
Helm, came in post haste to aid in
search of the body, and in apprehend-
ing the murderers. Every nook and
corner in the woods where Molen was
last seen underwent a search. The
excitement grew more intense when
the grief stricken brother identified
inc DciOhSlhSc vi thc HllSSiuS ludll'
The men upon whom suspicion rest
ed were arrested, and, urged by the
Heflin, were taken to Jail |
This so unnerved them that they made /!
statements, in fact every |
acct, every word they uttered, every |
that could be recalled |
testified against them. The people
stood aghast.
A fe whinted that "speedier" JUS
iCce was due than is found in the
courts of the law. This spread like
with the excited populace,
md before they could be Gained by
'eason or arguments the die was
last.
Richard Molen's alleged murderers
we're to be executed without trial. In
aid did the la wabiding citizens plead
hat the prisoners be given a fair trial
The determination of the excited rab-
vel was intolerant, and the good peo-
lie shuddered at the terrible fate of
he poor men.
The bloodthirsty crowd could be
cen assembling in groups, while the
lean of polished Derringer and the
lash of keen knives bespoke tho
lad determination.
The ropes we're ready. the hangmrii
elected, and thy impatintly awaited
ne going down of the sun. During
lese painful moments of suspe' C
mother scene, was being enacted IL
ais drama
A neighbor Of the prisoners. 10th 10
elieve them guilty Of the terrible
lime. and. as II guided by Provi-
nnce. rode out to the wods where
.olen was supposed to have been
urlered. While looking around, hop
g TO find some clew TO their limo
nee. just as the sun went down