Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/496



Montezuma to hear the trial. When Judge Stone granted a change of venue the rage of the people was intense. The brother of the murdered woman mounted a log and said to the crowd of excited men:

“I was willing the man should have a fair trial. I have followed his trail for weeks until I at last discovered one of the stolen horses; then after a short time I found where he sold the wagon and other horse. Finally I caught the man and brought him here and he was released on bail. When the time for trial arrived I came here again to testify, and the lawyer got the case continued. Now I have come again and they have got a change of venue. I have spent every cent I have in the world and I can’t come again. Gentlemen, that villain up there—pointing to the court room—butchered my sister and hid her in a corn shock, and his lawyer is going to get him cleared next time because I have nothing left to pay my expenses here again. Will you let that murderer get cleared when I cannot come to tell the horrid story to the jury?” He paused a moment, while a mighty shout went up. “No; never!”

They made a wild rush for the court room, dragged the struggling wretch to the nearest tree, put the rope around his neck and raised his writhing body high in the air, where it was left until cut down for the coroner’s inquest.

During the years of 1855-56-57 many horses were stolen from the farmers of Jackson, Jones, Clinton, Scott, Cedar and Johnson counties. The settlers at that time possessed but little property, many being in debt for their land, paying in most cases from twelve to twenty-five per cent. interest on their indebtedness. Prices of farm products brought little and they were working hard and economizing in every possible way to support their families, improve their farms and meet their obligations. Good horses were worth from $200 to $300 a team and the loss of a horse or team, at that time, meant deep distress, and often left the farmer without means to cultivate his land or save his crops. Many arrests were made, but the employment of the best lawyers and the testimony of other members of the gang were almost sure to prevent conviction. This emboldened the thieves to continue their depredations, and finally many of the farmers determined to