| 340 | HISTORY |
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:
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
