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Lyceum McIntosh in National Banner
Account and Defense of Mob Actions, in National Banner and Nashville Whig Transcription. May 11, 1836
ST. LOUIS, April 30.
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.--At no time, since the commencement of our editorial labors,have we been called upon to perform so unpleasant a duty as that which now devolves upon us.The story, shocking as it is on account of the death of a most meritorious man, and the probabledeath of another, and revolting as was the spectacle afterwards exhibited, shall be briefly told.On Thursday evening last, about 7 o’clock, Mr. George Hammond, Deputy Sheriff, and Mr.William Mull, Deputy Constable, in thieving execution of their official duty, left the magistrate’soffice, having in charge a free mulatto man named Francis L. McIntosh of Pittsburg, Pa. Theprisoner had, some time in the afternoon, interfered with the officers while engaged in arrestingtwo sailors for a breach of the peace, by which means he effected the escape of the offenders.McIntosh was then taken into custody, carried before Justice Walsh, and, the facts beingproved, a warrant of commitment to jail was made out, and delivered to officers. On their way tothe prison, and when they had reached the court house square, the prisoner inquired whatwould be his punishment. He was told; and at that moment he broke loose from them—drew along knife, and made a pass at Mull, but missed him. His next stab was better aimed, inflicting adangerous wound upon the right side. Mr. Hammond seized the miscreant by the shoulder; andthe latter turning round, gave him a death blow. The blade of the knife struck the lower part ofthe chin, cutting all the large arteries of the neck, and passing downward. The victim turned,walked about twenty paces, and expired. The murderer then fled. Mr. M. although dangerouslywounded, followed him until he was completely exhausted. His cries alarmed theneighborhood—the fellow was pursued, and,after some ineffectual resistance, taken andcommitted to jail.
The atrocious crime was known in a few minutes through the City. Crowds of citizensgathered around the dead body of the victim. The murder in cold blood of an officer, in theexecution of his duty—the universal respect in which that officer was held—the cries of thechildren, suddenly deprived of their protector—produced an instant and intense degree ofexcitement. Under the influence of these feelings, summary measures were resolved upon.---The murderer was forced from the jail by the assembled multitude, carried to the border of thetown, and burned to death ! It is said, that several thousand persons witnessed the revoltingspectacle.--- There was no tumult, no disturbance of any kind; but the crowd retired quietly totheir several homes.
We shall not pretend, that we do not exceedingly regret this sanguinary termination ofthe tragedy.--- For the fair fame of our town, we could wish that it had not been resorted to. But,we believe, that if the same terrible scene had been enacted in any other town of the union,under the same sudden and tumultuous excitement, similar proceedings would have beenadopted. Let the veil of oblivion be drawn over the fatal affair!
McIntosh come to this city, as a cook on board the steam boat Flora. He was a mostdesperate villain. It was understood that he committed a murder in New Orleans less than ayear since; and not long ago he stabbed the mate of the steam boat Pawnee, while underweigh; for which act, he was put on short and severely whipped.
Mr. Mull is yet living, though his recovery is scarcely hoped for. Mr. Hammond was amost worthy man and an honest, capable and energetic officer. Possessed of sound judgment,a cool temperament and tried courage, he was never at a loss what course to pursue, in the execution of his duty. He has left an afflicted widow, several children, and a host of friends, toregret a dispensation which has cut him off in the midst of his usefulness.---
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.--At no time, since the commencement of our editorial labors,have we been called upon to perform so unpleasant a duty as that which now devolves upon us.The story, shocking as it is on account of the death of a most meritorious man, and the probabledeath of another, and revolting as was the spectacle afterwards exhibited, shall be briefly told.On Thursday evening last, about 7 o’clock, Mr. George Hammond, Deputy Sheriff, and Mr.William Mull, Deputy Constable, in thieving execution of their official duty, left the magistrate’soffice, having in charge a free mulatto man named Francis L. McIntosh of Pittsburg, Pa. Theprisoner had, some time in the afternoon, interfered with the officers while engaged in arrestingtwo sailors for a breach of the peace, by which means he effected the escape of the offenders.McIntosh was then taken into custody, carried before Justice Walsh, and, the facts beingproved, a warrant of commitment to jail was made out, and delivered to officers. On their way tothe prison, and when they had reached the court house square, the prisoner inquired whatwould be his punishment. He was told; and at that moment he broke loose from them—drew along knife, and made a pass at Mull, but missed him. His next stab was better aimed, inflicting adangerous wound upon the right side. Mr. Hammond seized the miscreant by the shoulder; andthe latter turning round, gave him a death blow. The blade of the knife struck the lower part ofthe chin, cutting all the large arteries of the neck, and passing downward. The victim turned,walked about twenty paces, and expired. The murderer then fled. Mr. M. although dangerouslywounded, followed him until he was completely exhausted. His cries alarmed theneighborhood—the fellow was pursued, and,after some ineffectual resistance, taken andcommitted to jail.
The atrocious crime was known in a few minutes through the City. Crowds of citizensgathered around the dead body of the victim. The murder in cold blood of an officer, in theexecution of his duty—the universal respect in which that officer was held—the cries of thechildren, suddenly deprived of their protector—produced an instant and intense degree ofexcitement. Under the influence of these feelings, summary measures were resolved upon.---The murderer was forced from the jail by the assembled multitude, carried to the border of thetown, and burned to death ! It is said, that several thousand persons witnessed the revoltingspectacle.--- There was no tumult, no disturbance of any kind; but the crowd retired quietly totheir several homes.
We shall not pretend, that we do not exceedingly regret this sanguinary termination ofthe tragedy.--- For the fair fame of our town, we could wish that it had not been resorted to. But,we believe, that if the same terrible scene had been enacted in any other town of the union,under the same sudden and tumultuous excitement, similar proceedings would have beenadopted. Let the veil of oblivion be drawn over the fatal affair!
McIntosh come to this city, as a cook on board the steam boat Flora. He was a mostdesperate villain. It was understood that he committed a murder in New Orleans less than ayear since; and not long ago he stabbed the mate of the steam boat Pawnee, while underweigh; for which act, he was put on short and severely whipped.
Mr. Mull is yet living, though his recovery is scarcely hoped for. Mr. Hammond was amost worthy man and an honest, capable and energetic officer. Possessed of sound judgment,a cool temperament and tried courage, he was never at a loss what course to pursue, in the execution of his duty. He has left an afflicted widow, several children, and a host of friends, toregret a dispensation which has cut him off in the midst of his usefulness.---