by the result of the war, and the above statements have aimed to deal with the facts, and not with the opinions of the era before the war. It is believed that, in all, at least forty or fifty negroes have been sheltered and fed by various citizens of this county.

BORDER THEIVING.

At the outer edge of American civilization there have, for a hundred years, hovered, like scouts before the march of an invading army, a swarm of bold, enterprising and adventurous criminals. The broad, untrodden prairies, the trackless forests and unexplored rivers furnished admirable refuge for reckless, hardy desperadoes, whose deeds are part of the annals of almost every county from the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains, and from the northern bounds of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa to the States bordering on the Gulf of Mexico.

These men followed the unlawful callings of horse-stealing, burglary, counterfeiting and profitable freebootery on all occasions that promised reasonable immunity from punishment. They were, in most cases, connected by ties of blood or marriage, and many of their women were as skillful in crime as the men, and as full of resources for personal safety in time of danger. As a rule, the more cool-headed and daring among these outlaws conducted the most dangerous part of the business in which they were engaged. Others, more timid, would keep places of harborage, sell the stolen horses, pass counterfeit coin, break open jails when an unlucky brother had been caught in the meshes of the law, and act as spies and go betweens on all occasions. Others, who had a sufficient hereditament of craft, or who had acquired that faculty by long training in crime, and had begun to feel the weight of years, sought to pass for respectable members of society, and would aspire to positions of trust, being always eager to be elected Justice or Sheriff if possible. In some cases, they actually succeeded in becoming Prosecuting Attorneys and District Judges, so numerous were their friends and adherents. Some of them were so bold as to become preachers, and more than one pioneer has been converted by their ministrations.

This wide-spread band of cut-throats, scoundrels and robbers were settled in Eastern Ohio and Kentucky at the beginning of the present century, and had been driven from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina about the close of the Revolutionary war. They had been loyal to the British crown during that long struggle-had been Tories—a class hated and despised by the successful Revolutionists. Their property had been sequestered at the close of that momentous struggle, and when the ragged Continental soldiers returned to their homes, it was unwholesome for a Tory to live in sight of them. With hearts full of bitterness and hatred, but helpless to master their fate, they sought the wilderness and "nursed their wrath to keep it warm." Ostracized from their homes for their perverse loyalty, it is not very strange that they became Ishmaelites-arrayed against society, which in turn, suffered and feared them, then began to maintain an equal struggle with these miscreants, and at last expelled them from their midst into the wilderness.

The contest in Ohio and Kentucky was waged for thirty years or more, in Indiana for ten, and in Illinois for nearly twenty more. The only certain way of securing conviction and punishment was to open Judge Lynch's court. Sometimes a state of actual war would break out. In 1835, members of the gang began to make incursions into Iowa, and in the "Banditti of the Prairie "fre

quent exploits are recorded that were originated and carried out in the counties bordering along Skunk River. It was about the same time that the fiendish murder of Col. George Davenport was perpetrated, a full account of which can be found in the same book.

In 1837, the country began to be flooded with counterfeit money, some of it so well done that it was sometimes passed at the United States Land Offices. Occasionally, and the occasions were rather more frequent than angel's visits, a horse would be stolen. No one could tell where the counterfeit money came from, nor where the stolen horse was hidden. At last, horse-stealing became so general, and was so successfully prosecuted that when a farmer missed a horse from his stable or pasture, he never hunted for him beyond a half-mile from his premises. It was useless, the gang was so well organized, and had such a perfect system of stations, agents, signs and signals.

From 1838 to 1840, most of the Illinois members of the gang were driven into Ceaar, Linn, Jackson, Clayton and Fayette Counties, where they made themselves very troublesome for several years.

It is probably not best to give every detail of horse, cattle and sheep stealing and burglary that ever transpired in this county. Such a record would no doubt be readable; but as no credit is to be gained by a parade of vice, or advantage to be secured thereby, a few instances only are given in order to show the workings of an old system that held the West in a state of trepidation for many years. It should be stated in this connection, as a curious fact, that the interposi tion of Judge Lynch was oftener invoked to secure the punishment of supposed horse-thieves and barn-burners than for any other class of offenders. For murder, slander, seduction and numerous other offenses, the support of the courts was considered ample by the pioneers; but, lay a finger on his horse, and the rope or rifle was regarded as hardly efficacious. Like the Arab of the desert, the pioneer settlers loved their horses more than wife or children.

It is believed that Appanoose County was a route for horse-thieves almost from the earliest settlement. The instance mentioned by Mr. Stratton, who saw a suspicious character on the dragoon trail in 1843, tends to confirm this opinion. The custom among the heroes of dark nights was to steal horses in Missouri, and take them to Central and Northern Iowa, there to be secreted and eventually sold by their confederates. There was also a southward movement, horses being stolen in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa by the Brodys, Ways, Wilsons and others, and sent to Missouri for sale. It is a current statement that there was harborage for this class of property in the northeastern part of the county, where horse-fanciers have often stopped just before sunrise, slept during the day, and when the shades of evening had fallen, resumed their journey to a cave in Wapello County, where the jaded horses were allowed to rest from their hard journey, before being sent northward for sale.

Until 1854, the people of this county suffered but little from the ravages of these marauders. In 1856, the store of Mr. Pulliam, at Orleans, was entered by burglars, one of whom was named Wilson, and a considerable amount of goods and some money stolen. An arrest of suspicious characters was made, and it was noticed that some of the men named in the "Banditti of the Prairie were at hand to comfort the prisoners and get up evidence for their defense.

Sometimes the band would change the object of plunder. In one case, a flock of 400 sheep were stolen in the eastern part of the county, driven into Missouri, and there sold to a well known stock dealer.

Two well-known ministers of the Gospel, residents of Appanoose County, are said, on good authority, to have acted regularly as friends of the gang,

being ready to direct the friends of prisoners, in hunting up evidence, procuring bail, etc.; and it is also believed that these two men have more than once been receivers of stolen property, acting in the capacity of middlemen in the nefarious business.

Another minister, a man of considerable repute, also a citizen of this county, went down into Missouri, and brought back with him a fine dun team that he had not purchased, and it is believed that no one presented the horses to him. The horses belonged to a man named Lundy. He drove sixty miles the first night. He was soon after arrested, but declared he could prove an alibi, and the examination was postponed fifteen days to enable him to secure his witnesses. He was detected with a well-known scamp in suborning the evidence to be produced in his favor at the preliminary examination, taxed with it and charged with being an unmitigated thief. Like Mr. Crockett's coon, he "came down," but being carelessly guarded, succeeded in making his escape. He traveled fast and far, and now lives at least three hundred miles away from the Justice's docket in which the amount of his bail is recorded. He visited Centerville a few years ago, but only remained a few days. Had the Missourian known of the visit, this man would certainly have been convicted and imprisoned.

THE MURPHY CASE.

In the summer of 1857, J. C. Grimes, a resident of Sharon Township, had his stable burned, and with it two horses and mules. A man named Murphy was living in the vicinity, who bore an equivocal character. Suspicion fell upon him and he was arrested. He was conveyed to Centerville and prepara tions made for his examination. There was no testimony at hand to secure his commitment for trial, but the people of Sharon Township undertook to see to that. Living with Murphy was a man named Gardner, who was believed to be a hard case; but the people were not sure about this, so they determined to ascertain. He was seized by a crowd, and a stout rope having been produced, he was informed that he must confess what he knew about the origin of the fire. This frightened him thoroughly, and he stated explicitly that Murphy had fired the stable. Gardner was then taken to Centerville, and for an hour or two there was a strong probability that Murphy would be immediately lynched on the testimony of Gardner. Better counsels prevailed at last, and the examination was allowed to go on, which resulted in Murphy being bound to appear at District Court, and in Gardner giving security to appear as principal witness.

Pending the interval before Court, Gardner made a visit to Missouri, and there informed a lawyer named Moldridge that Murphy was innocent-that he himself had fired the stable. This word was brought to Murphy's attorneys. When Gardner returned, he was induced to repeat this statement in the presence of Constable Curtis, under a tree near where Mr. Wentworth's house now stands in Centerville, saying in substance that Murphy had nothing to do with the burning, and that he (Gardner) was the perpetrator.

Murphy and his attorneys knew that he would not stand a ghost of a chance. with an Appanoose County jury, but an affidavit of three disinterested persons was required to obtain a change of venue. Application was made to several prominent citizens for the needed affidavits, but all refused point-blank, until S F. Wadlington was asked, who not only cheerfully complied, but used his influ ence to obtain two others. The venue was accordingly changed to Monroe County, and when court came on, Gardner appeared at Albia, quite ready, as the Prosecuting Attorney supposed, to swear Murphy to the Penitentiary. When the day of the trial arrived, and just before Gardner was wanted, he

appeared on the public square, apparently much intoxicated. He declared to several by-standers that Murphy was entirely innocent, and in a few minutes after he disappeared, never to return to this part of Iowa. His absconding, of course, broke down the case and Murphy was acquitted, but he soon after removed from the county.

A HORRID CASE OF LYNCHING.

About the middle of February, 1864, Salmon Howard, of Franklin Township, had his barn burned down, together with several head of stock and a considerable amount of grain, aggregating a loss, as stated by Howard, of about $2,500. The scoundrel, after firing the barn, had made off, Howard believed, on one of his horses.

The

Some years before, John Seaman had stolen a horse in Howard's neighborhood, and Howard had been active in tracing and arresting him. Howard visited his mother's house, in the northern part of the county, and inquired for John; but his mother denied any recent knowledge of his movements. house was carefully searched, and the culprit was at last found in a bulky bed in one corner of the cabin, his mother having artistically concealed him therein. Seaman was tried in due course, convicted and sent to Fort Madison, and his attorney says he was doubtless guilty, although he says he came pretty near getting him off.

Seaman had been seen in the vicinity of Genoa, Wayne Co., a day or two before the arson had been committed, and he was suspected of the crime.

Officers were put upon Seaman's trail at Genoa, and he was traced without special difficulty to his mother's house, on Soap Creek, where he was arrested. He was taken before E. O. Smith, Esq., of Franklin Township, the next day for preliminary examination, and, having asked for a day's adjournment, for the purpose of procuring counsel, he was placed in the hands of Constable John S. Trescott for safe-keeping. This was on Friday. About 11 o'clock that evening, about a dozen masked men appeared at Trescott's house, according to his statement, and forced him to give up his prisoner into their keeping. They immediately started southward with Seaman, and were followed by Trescott for about half a mile, when he was met, as he says, by Howard, who advised him to return and notify Mr. Smith that the prisoner had been seized by a mob, and to ask that officer what should be done. Trescott then went to Mr. Smith, and related what had happened. Believing that two men could accomplish nothing with a dozen, and knowing that it would serve nothing to rouse the neighbors, for the mob could accomplish any purpose it sought long before they could be found, Mr. Smith allowed the matter to rest.

The next morning about sunrise, Seaman crawled to the house of Mr. Fyffe, who lived about four miles southwest of Livingston, just over the State line. The man's clothing was saturated with blood, which had flowed from several bullet wounds. He had, according to his own statement, been riddled with balls, and had been left for dead by the mob. His condition was truly pitiable, and Mr. Fyffe and family entered upon the task of caring for him, believing that he must soon die, which was probably the case. The neighborhood soon became acquainted with the fact of the uncompleted lynching, which had been done on Fyffe's farm, and, as ugly news travels fast, the intelligence, during the day, reached some of those concerned in the attempt on his life.

That night (Saturday), a party of disguised men went to Fyffe's house and removed the prisoner.

The sun, on Sunday morning, rose bright and clear. Mr. Fyffe went out to see the result of the firing he had heard soon after Seaman had been taken

from his house. He found the man lying dead in a little grove a quarter of a mile from his house. This news spread rapidly. Mr. Smith and Trescott heard of the awful death of Seaman, and reached the spot an hour or two before noon. At that time, the hogs had torn half the clothing off the body, and, at Mr. Smith's request, a pen was built about the corpse to keep the brutes away. The Coroner of Putnam County, Mo., had been notified of the awful tragedy, and appeared, either that day or the next, to conduct the inquest. The verdict of the jury was, that Seaman had been murdered by unknown persons.

The judgment of the surrounding neighborhood, with which the unprejudiced historian must coincide, was that this was an atrocious and barbarous murder, for which there was no extenuating circumstance. The writer has carefully avoided any inquiry as to the personality of those concerned in this deed of blood, and would suppress their names if he knew them; but the killing of Seaman was absolutely unjustifiable. He had not committed any murder himself, and, even if he were guilty of the arson and theft, as alleged, there is no reason to believe that the law could not have been enforced in his case. The punishment inflicted on the Friday night, ought to have been considered ample in its terrible severity; but when to that was superadded the vindictive and bloodthirsty feeling that prompted those men to drag a dying man from the bed of charity to complete their barbarous and bloody work, this case of lynching is made to stand out almost alone as a monument among the headboards erected by Judge Lynch's sexton.

There are many estimable citizens of Appanoose County who have grave doubts that Seaman was in any way concerned in the firing of Howard's barn. Further, it is conjectured that the fire was accidentally set by a party of young men who had met to play cards in the barn. Be that as it may, Seaman was not allowed to have his hearing in the courts, but his guilt was assumed by the crowd, and he was shot like a dog by "civilized and enlightened " Americans.

No effort was ever made to institute legal proceedings against the men concerned in this tragedy. Seaman appears to have had few friends, and none that were able or willing to stir in his behalf. The war was in progress, and people living near the border were in a constant state of uneasiness regarding what might transpire. Many citizens living near the boundary had been bitter partisans in the great political contest that had led up to the war, and those who would, under ordinary circumstances, have caused an investigation, judged it best to let the matter pass.

It is a pleasure to be able to add that most of the supposed participants in this cruel tragedy are no longer residents of Appanoose County, and it is probable that some who saw Seaman dying and dead never lived in Iowa at all.

The only approach to a mob act that has since transpired in the county was thebrigade case" in 1874, when a large number of the neighbors of Henry Sanders assembled at his house and invited him to leave the country. They had grown weary of his presence among them, on account of several irregularities. It is understood that this was a case of "bounce, and that violence was intended. He concluded to migrate, however, and his name appears no longer on the court records and Auditor's books.

THE CASE OF FOSTER.

John Foster had several times figured on the court record of Appanoose County prior to 1860, but had almost invariably succeeded in getting clear, either on examination or at trial. He was conceded by all who knew him to be a hard case, but he was ingenious and evasive in all his criminal acts. How