DEATH OF GEO. W. SISNEY. MURDER MOST FOUL.--The Assassin Still at Work.Is There no Redress?
The hour is Ripe for Action on the Part of Peaceful and Law Abiding Citizens.It is a sad and painful duty that we announce this week the death of Capt. Geo. W. SISNEY, an old and respected citizen, late of our county. He was brutally assassinated, by some unknown person, at his house in the city of Carbondale, between the hours of 9 and 10 o’clock p.m. on Wednesday, July 28th. This was the third open and bold attempt to assassinate Captain SISNEY within the last twelve months. At last they have succeeded; their work, so far as he is concerned, is ended.The facts, as far as we have been able to gather them, are that on Wednesday evening Mr. Overton STANLEY was at Carbondale attending to some business connected with the estate of his brother, William STANLEY, deceased, and had went to Capt. SISNEY’ s to get him to go his security on a note, and also settle some little private demand which SISNEY held against him. They were sitting in a room on the first floor of SISNEY’ s house, and had about completed their business, when SISNEY remarked that it was about time to retire, and almost instantly a shot was fired in at the window which was protected by a wire musquito bar, the contents striking SISNEY in the breast near the right nipple, killing him almost instantly. The only words he spoke were, “ O, Lord, I am Killed.” An inquest was held over his body by ‘Squire PRICKETT on Thursday the 29th, and the jury returned a verdict that he come to his death by a gunshot wound at the hand of some person to them unknown. He was buried at the Stancil grave yard near his farm in the western part of this county, on Friday the 30th ult., with the honors of the Masonic Fraternity, of which order he was a bright and worthy member, and had been for 12 or 15 years. He leaves a wife and eight children to mourn his tragic and untimely death.
Most of our readers were personally acquainted with Capt. SISNEY. He was sheriff of this county from 1866 to 1868, and ran again on the Independent ticket in 1874, but was defeated. He made a good officer, and gave universal satisfaction in the discharge of his public trust. Like most men, who succeed in this world, Capt. SISNEY has some enemies. He was a man of indomitable will and courage; yet he was open, frank and generous to a fault. He was charitable and kind in many respects; yet he did not claim to be a philanthropist in every sense of the work; still no man ever went to him with a meritorious case of charity but what he received recognition and assistance.He was true to his country, his friends and his home; was too high minded to take a mean advantage of an enemy; was always on the side of law and order, and that man does not today who can say that Captain SISNEY ever advised or encouraged him to violate or disregard that laws of his county, and it can be truthfully said that he never sought or forced a difficulty with any man. His great misfortune was that he was in the wrong locality. The locality in which he lived was not congenial to his nature, and he did not get along as smoothly as he might have done had he been differently situated. Not but what there are many good people in the vicinity where the Captain lived--in fact it is a good settlement, and some of the best citizens in the State reside there, and SISNEY has a host of friends there--but there is an element which no power on earth can control, “their ways are past finding out,” and to this element the good people of our county are indebted for the untimely death, not only of SISNEY, but many other good and valuable citizens in the western part of the county.
Geo. W. SISNEY was Captain of Company “G”, 81st Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers. He recruited his company, most of them, in this county in July and August, 1862, and was mustered into the service August 26, 1862, many of whom are still living in this and Jackson county. He was severely wounded at the battle of Vicksburg, Miss., in May, 1863, in consequence of which he resigned his position August 3, 1863. He never recovered from the effect of the wounds he received while in the service of this country. But he has “gone to that bourn from whence no traveler ever returns,” and to which we are all hastening with the velocity of time.It is a terrible thing to die, even when in old age, emaciated and worn out with disease, with kind friends and loving hearts surrounding the bedside, ready and willing to minister to your every want, to wipe “The cold and sluggish drops From off your peaceful brow.” When the solemnity of the occasion makes the transition more serene and hopeful, still with all these surrounding the dying mortal struggles to retain life; he thinks of something he wants to say to the dear ones he leaves behind, but his tongue refuses to serve him and he passes quietly away.How hard it is for a man to be snatched suddenly away from his friends and family without a parting word or moments warning. Ruthlessly murdered like a brute. The very though of such an act shocks our better nature, and the sober judgment of mankind rises up in condemnation of such an act.One by one our citizens are being taken away by assassination, and it seems like we have no redress, nor way to stop it. There is a way to put a stop to these diabolical outrages if the people of our county will rise up in their might, in solid phalanx, with a determination that murder must cease in this vicinity, no clan or combination can successfully resist the united efforts and determination of the good people of Williamson county. The people must take interest in the matter---collectively and individually. The law is powerless in such cases unless backed and supported by a sound healthy public sentiment of the people.
STILL ANOTHER--Wm. SPENCE, of Crainville, Murdered. Since the above was put in type we have received intelligence that Mr. William SPENCE was murdered in his storehouse in Crainville, this county, about 9 o’clock on Saturday night, July 31st. He was found by some of the neighbors, Sunday morning, lying in his storeroom with a gunshot wound in the breast. People in the neighborhood heard the shooting, but shooting is so common there it created no alarm. Mr. SPENCE, as we understand, was a quiet and inoffensive man, and attended strictly to his business. The supposition is that he was killed for his money. We were not personally acquainted with him and know nothing about the situation.
LOCAL MATTERS--Miss Arabelle CORDER, daughter of Mrs. Lucinda CORDER, was struck by lightning and instantly killed on Wednesday, July 29th.--Sickness seems to prevail to an alarming extent in some portions of this county. The family of John ALLEN, in the east end of the county, has suffered very much from flux. His oldest son and daughter have died form this disease, and other members of the family are supposed to be in a dangerous condition.
MARRIED--At the residence of the bride’s father, July 25, 1875, by G.W. LAMASTER, Mr. Frederick CRENSHAW and Miss Mary E. STROUD, all of Williamson county.
LOCAL MATTERS--H.W. THOMSON, reporter for the Chicago Tribune, was in this county on Tuesday last. He was writing up the history of the bloody deed of this county.--Dr. J.C. MITCHELL left this place last Tuesday for Labette City, Kansas, where in all probability, he will locate for the purpose of practicing physic. We regret the loss of the Doctor, but can with pleasure commend him to any people he may see proper to locate with.--We received a letter from Henry PEASE, this week, dated at Sonora, California, in which he expresses himself highly delighted with his location, and says he expects to make California his future home. He says the wheat crop is yielding much better than was expected in the early part of the season
.--The following named attorneys are in attendance at the present session of our Circuit Court: Marion YOUNGBLOOD and W.W. BARR , of Benton; Judge DUFF and W.J. ALLEN, of Carbondale; W.W. CLEMENS, Milo ERWIN, J.W. HARTWELL, G.W. YOUNG, J.E. GALLEGHER, Walter WARDER, L.D. HARTWELL, G.W. GODDARD and N.B. CALVERT, of Marion, and J.M. WASHBURN, of Carterville.
--Circuit Court convened last Monday, Judge CRAWFORD presiding. A jury was empanelled. The first case tried was the people of the State of Illinois vs. W.D. MCCOWAN, charge with burglary. Jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The next case was The people vs. L.L. MCCOWAN, charged with an assault to rape. Verdict of guilty, and sentenced to the penitentiary for four years.
The Shooting of H.B. NORMAN--In our last issue we published a rumor as to the shooting of Henry B. NORMAN, which stated that he was shot at Blairsville, in this county, but the rumor proved to be incorrect, in part, and the following extract from the Sparta Plaindealer will explain itself:Conversation between the editor of the Plaindealer and Mr. NORMAN:
My name is Henry B. NORMAN; came to this place from Williamson county. Sent back for John F. SHANKLON to come and work for me; he worked about a month, and owing me some money, I took a bill of sale of some furniture, etc., as security. He returned to Williamson county, near Carterville, to live. This morning about 6 o’clock, he, in company with my brother-in-law, James T. KING, drove up to the fence in a wagon, and called me out. I went out, and SHANKLON said he had papers, and wanted that property; I told him he could not get it; he said he would bet me $10 that he did get it, and said that I was a d---d dirty puppy; I told his he was a scoundrel, and some other words passed, and he picked up a double barreled shot-gun out of the wagon; believing he would shoot, I started off running, when he fried, the charge lodging in my arm, back and side. He then took off across the fields in a southeasterly direction and has not been seen since. SHANKLON is about 22 years old, blue eyes, rather red complexion, smooth face, sandy hair, will weigh about 135 pounds, and had on when here, striped pants and shirt. In further conversation with Mr. NORMAN and his step-father, Mr. DAVIS, we learned that they, with their families, and two or three family relatives, had to leave Williamson county under threats of death from the vendetta. These two gentlemen, together with two others, gave evidence before the United States Grand Jury against some of the assassins in that county, in consequence of which their lives were threatened, the other two men having since been killed.SHANKLON is reported a bad character, and NORMAN is satisfied he came to Blair on Sunday morning with the premeditated purpose of killing him, but whether he was instigated by the difficulty about the property alone, or not, is a question with him.Constable MCDONALD and others started in pursuit of the would be assassin, and up to Sunday night had not returned. About forty-six shot in all were lodged in the body of NORMAN, the greater portion in his right arm. There is not much fear of his death, but the warm weather may produce mortification and cause the amputation of his arm. NORMAN and his family connections are all clever people, and so far as we could learn, of good repute in the community.
From Grassy--Grassy, Illinois, Aug. 21, 1875
Editor of the Monitor:--Everything quiet and each man at peace with his neighbor, with the exception of the difficulty between the TOWNSEND’ s and the KIRK’ s, it is assuming rather alarming proportions and it is feared will end seriously.Our enterprising citizen, James S. CHILDERS, has a splendid mansion under way and will complete it this fall. By the way, he is preparing some of his improved stock for exhibition at the forthcoming Fair. Grif. BAKER has bought a fine cider mill and is always ready to give his many friends the benefit of a squeeze. Miss Ella BUCH was dangerously, and it is feared fatally injured, by falling from the top of a log her brother was hauling to the Makanda mill. Shortly after the accident she became unconscious, and has been so nearly all the time since. Dr. SANDERS examined her and pronounced injury to be severe concussion of the brain. Dr. AGNEW is treating her with but little hope of success. “Experience is a dear school,” but some lessons will not be learned otherwise. Miss BUSH is a very amiable and accomplished young lady, and a deep interest is felt in her recovery. NOX VOMICA.
LATER--Aug. 22-- Miss BUSH was married this A.M. by the Rev. F.M. AGNEW, M.D., to a Mr. Jno. MCGEE, of Carbondale, Ill. She was not able to raise her head while the ceremonies were being performed. This would seem to indicate that her friends have lost all hopes of her recovery.
MORE KU-KLUXISM--We are informed that a few days ago as Mrs. George WILLIAMS, whose husband had been in the employ of Mr. PURDY, at the mill on Crab Orchard, was returning to her home after a brief absence, she was stopped by a man disguised and masked, who asked her where her husband was--saying “we” have been watching the house for some time without seeing him; and now he came to tell her to tell her husband to get away as soon as possible, “or we will kill him.” She asked the fellow what her husband had done that they should want to kill him; the fellow, with several oaths, told her to shut her mouth, it was none of her business --only to tell her husband to leave, and if she didn’t “we will kill you.” Mr. WILLIAMS left home immediately.We learn that Governor BEVERIDGE has authorized our Mayor to organize a company to hunt up such scoundrels as the fellow who met Mrs. WILLIAMS, and we hope it will be done, and that speedily, too.--Carbondale Observer.
HOW’S THIS!--A Jury of Williams County Gives a Verdict Against an Officer for Serving a Subpoena on aWitness.
Sometime last July the city of Marion instituted suit against Col. R.M. HUNDLEY and some other parties for selling intoxication liquors, contrary to the Ordinances of the city of Marion. Subpoenas were issued running in the name of “The People of the State of Illinois,” and directed to quite a number of persons living in the city and out in the country as witnesses. Among the number subpoenaed on behalf of the city was Moses CASEY, a well to do farmer, living about three miles northeast of Marion. Moses attended one trial; failed to attend another and was attached and fined for contempt by Justice REYNOLDS.This didn’t sit well with Mose. So he goes before ‘Squire W.W. YOUNG, a Justice of Lake Creek Precinct, five miles north of Marion, and brings suit against L.C. FULLER, a Constable who served the subpoena and attachment, for $50 damages. The trial come off Friday the 20th inst. L.D. HARTWELL and R.M. HUNDLEY appeared for the plaintiff, and Geo. W. GODDARD for the defendant. Plaintiff demanded a jury of six men, to whom the case was submitted after hearing the evidence and argument to counsel. The jury retired to onsider their verdict. After due and mature deliberation they returned the following verdict: “We, the jury, find for the Plaintiff six dollars for loss of time and ten dollars damages.”We have been requested to give the names of the jurors, but this we must decline. We understand that the Plaintiff has ordered the judgment satisfied, in order to keep the case from being appealed to the Circuit Court.
LOCAL MATTERS--R. HINCHCLIFF, of Eight mile, has moved to town. --Frank SPARKS moved to the country last Monday.--H.B. NORMAN, who was reported shot in this county last week, was shot in Randolph county.--Mr. John HALL, brother of W.R. HALL of this place, who has been visiting relatives here, left for his home in Shawneetown last Monday.--J.H. REYNOLDS and family have been visited by the hand of affliction, and for several days Mr. R, and a portion of his family has been confined to their room.--Our postmaster, W.N. MITCHELL and G.W. GODDARD, went to Benton last Saturday to view the trophies of the recent fight in Franklin county, between the Sheriff and the K.K’s. --Mr. William DUNAHOO met with a misfortune which soon terminated in his death, last Tuesday. He was plowing and went to the house to get a drink of water, after returning to the field, and while in the act of hitching his mule to the plow, it kicked him in the stomach. A boy was with him and asked if he was seriously hurt when he replied, “plow a round and I will feel better.” The boy did so, and on his return found Mr. DUNAHOO dead. This transpired about one miles south of Crainville.
--Monroe JACK found the following notice at the draw-bars, on his farm on Wolf creek, in the west part of this county, last Monday morning. We give it as near like copy as possible. It is not necessary to comment on this matter as such warnings are generally understood in this county of late, and need only to be seen to be hated and dreaded:Mr. JACK, we hereby give you Twenty days to Leave this county and if you dont do it we will shoot you as full of holes and the bottom of a Sifter. KU-KLUX