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Mob Law in Missouri

On the 5th inst. A mob at Fredericktown, Madison County, Missouri broke open the jail with axes, crowbars, & etc., took out a man  named Abraham Smith, under sentence of death for murder, and hung him to a tree near the jail.

The coroner’s jury found a true bill  against the murders, and several of them have been arrested and committed for trial.  Several have also made their escape.   We hope they will receive the punishment their guilt deserves.

Philadelphia Inquirer - August 22, 1844

Lynch Law  

We learn, says the St. Louis Evening Gazette, that in Fredericktown, Madison County, Missouri, on the evening of the election, a mob broke into the jail of that place, and forcibly seized upon the person of the convicted murderer, name A. W. Smith, took him to a walnut tree and hung him upon the spot.

Three of the parties concerned in the jail breaking were arrested and held on bail in the sum of $500.

None of those implicated in the hanging had been arrested.

Sun - August 23, 1844

More Mob Law   

A man named Abraham Smith was taken from jail by force, and executed by a lawless gang in Fredericktown, Missouri, on the 5th inst.

Smith had been convicted of murder, and sentenced lo be executed on the lat day of June. The sentence had been stayed until the 1st September.  An attempt was made to execute him by mob violence on the 1st of June, which was resisted by the assembled people.

On the day of the late election, a company of half intoxicated men succeeded in breaking open the jail with axes, crow-bars, etc. and hung the prisoner.

The following we copy from the St. Louis Republican.

One of the gang got down the cell where Smith was in irons, & tied a rope around his neck.  Those above hauled Smith up by the rope, dragged him down stairs, and about fifty yards from the jail, and notwithstanding he was apparently dead when they reached the tree, hung  him up, where he remained some minutes.  They then let him down , when one of the gang, suspecting life was not sufficiently extinct persisted that they should again hang him up, which was done accordingly.

Robert M. Friercoroner, issued process immediately for a jury and on Monday night held an inquest on the body of Smith, when the jury returned a verdict that Smith came to this death by the hand of Jones, Sinclair, Mayse, Pollis, Cox, Blackburn, Shetley and five others, the names of whom we have not learned.

On Thursday a states warrant was issued for the arrest pf the offenders, and on Wednesday the sheriff succeeded in arresting Cox. Shetley, Blackburn, Pollis and another man who were undergoing an examination before the Justices. 

Sinclair and Mayse, two of the ringleaders had not been found, when this news left Fredericktown.

On Saturday, we understand, Mayse was at St. Mary’s Landing, waiting for the first opportunity afforded, to escape justice, and no doubt succeeded.

The parties arrested were committed to take their trial for murder.

Easton Gazette – September 7, 1844

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