Execution of Alexander Grifford

GRIFFORD, INGLE, JARRET, MCDONALD

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 2/10/2008 at 01:10:45

Maquoketa Weekly Sentinel, Thursday, April 16, 1857.

EXECUTION OF ALEXANDER GRIFFORD
Mobocracy Predominant
Jackson County Redeemed

Editor of Sentinel:
For the benefit of the citizens of this county who are yet unacquainted with the particulars of the doings of the citizens of Farmers Creek township who organized to carry out what the law has failed to do and for those interested in the welfare of Jackson County I would beg leave to submit the following, as a brief sketch of the execution of Alexander Grifford, condemned for the murder of John Ingle:
On Saturday the 11th inst., at about 2 o'clock P.M., the crowd marched into town double file and proceeded to the jail where the prisoner was confined and went to work to gain admittance. The doors, of course, were secured by locks, and the keys not available, so they had nothing left but to apply the sledge, which they did for some time vigorously before the slab door would give way(one of the prisoners states they struck 177 blows). On entering the inner hall, they found that they had the iron door of E cell to open. Not at all baffled by this hindrance, they soon gained the cell. They then called upon the prisoner to come forth, which he did without the least hesitation, probably deeming submission his surest safeguard. Out of the jail they proceeded but a short distance before they came to a halt and gave him a chance to make his confession; he said he had none to make. But they were not so easily satisfied, as they suspected others of being either directly or indirectly engaged in this murder. The rope was then adjusted around his neck and he was led to the tree selected for his execution, when they again gave him a chance to confess. After considerable urging and solicitation to confess if he was guilty and tell who, if any, were engaged in the plot, and if not to tell what he knew concerning the murder, he said: "Gentlemen you may do with me what you please, but I will now tell you the truth. It was me shot John Ingles. I was persuaded to do it by my uncle Henry Jarret and David McDonald." He was then examined and cross-examined, and his statements corroborated his confession, and the evidence elicited before the coroner's jury. He also stated Jarret and McDonald promised to reward him; clear him of the law, and assist him to leave the country. One of the party then made a motion to convey him back to the jail, until they could arrest the others engaged, but the general cry was "Hang him if he is guilty. Hang him." This sealed his doom. Time was given him to make his peace with God. He knelt under the gallows and silently offered up his supplications, crossed himself and arose to his feet. One of the party then asked him if he wished a minister to pray for him. He nodded his assent and a minister was called, who conversed with him a few minutes, and on inquiry the prisoner stated he was a Catholic and wished to die in the faith; but wished him to pray for him. He then offered up a short prayer in his behalf and retired from the crowd. All things were then ready to proceed with the execution, his hands and legs were tied, and the captain of the band called his men to the rope, and at 4 o'clock and 4 minutes the word was given and he was launched into eternity. He struggled considerably, showing he had died a hard death. The mob then retired leaving the prisoner hanging. After hanging 2 hours and 25 minutes the body was taken down and buried in a coffin prepared for the purpose. Up to the time the word was given to pull the rope the prisoner appeared perfectly calm.
This is the first step taken to secure justice and fulfill what the law and scheming lawyers and Judiciaries have thus far failed to do. What will be the next step taken to secure justice to the lawless and safety to our citizens? Will the citizens allow themselves to be taxed for the purpose of maintaining a few of our codfish aristocrats who now have the control of our county funds, and should assist in preserving peace and tranquility in our midst? No! It echoes from every part of our county, we have waited long enough for the law to do justice, but all in vain. We will have justice and make our own law on this crime. Fifteen murders already committed in this county and Jackson the only one that paid the debt for shedding blood. Shall Barger and the Irishman be set at liberty to repeat their crimes? We hope not: if the law does not hang them, the citizens will and may peace be restored in our midst that man may treat his fellow as a human being and not as a brute and shoot him down as he would an intruding quadruped.
Andrew, April 12, 1857