Jackson County Vigilance Committee

LANDIS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/11/2008 at 10:43:18

Maquoketa Weekly Sentinel, May 21, 1857.

Declaration and Resolutions of the Jackson County Vigilance Committee.

Iron Hill, Iowa, May 9th, 1857.

Mr. Swigart:

Sir-Will you be so kind as to give the within enclosed Declaration and Resolves of the Vigilance Committee, a corner of your paper in your next issue. They were handed to me to take them to you personally, but as I am unable to do so at present, I send them to you by the hands of Mr. Brewster.
Perhaps you might wish to know how strong this committee is. So far as I can learn, there are at this time between 300 and 400 that belong to it in this County.
Yours, & c.,
H. K. LANDIS

RESOLVED, That we, the Jackson County Vigilance Committee are determined that the criminal laws of this State be enforced in this county to the very letter.

RESOLVED, That the present Executive and Judicial of this County had better resign their offices and leave their seats for more worthy occupants. If they do not they must run the risk of consequences.

RESOLVED, That in every criminal case now and hereafter pending before the tribunals of this County, we, the Vigilance Committee of Jackson County will thoroughly investigate and watch with a critical eye, the proceedings of our officers.

RESOLVED, That the wrong honored officers, whose names we don’t choose to mention here, shall never have another office in the gift of the people of this County, but we will tell them to go duck hunting.

RESOLVED, That whereas, it is the duty of certain county officers to investigate the circumstances and the facts concerning the murder of John Ingle, and ere this, to have taken steps to secure in the proper way, the person of David McDonald, until he could be tried according to law. We the Vigilance Committee, openly declare that they must take the proper steps, and also published a reward, with a full and exact description, so as to secure that person; if not we will look after him ourselves, and, if needs be, they too.

RESOLVED, That we will, when we find that our proper officers neglect it, spare no pains, either of time, life or property, in the investigation of all counterfeiting of monies, in all horse-thieving, and in all murders committed in this County. We also will be governed by the penal code of this State as far as is convenient.

RESOLVED, That we, the Vigilance Committee of Jackson County, State of Iowa, hereby inform all persons in office or out of it, that they must not commence process of any kind against any of those who helped to hang Alex. Grifford, for we believe that he should have hanged long before he did.

RESOLVED, That we will revenge the unjust death of anyone of this Committee, at the cost of life or property.

RESOLVED, That we will punish with death any person or persons joining this Committee, whom we find has been or are concerned in horse stealing, counterfeiting, robbing, or murdering, and it appears that he is in, as a spy.

RESOLVED, That these proceedings be published in the Maquoketa Sentinel.

Note: Members of the Jackson County Vigilance Committee lynched Alexander Grifford at Andrew on April 11, 1857 and William P. Barger at Andrew on May 28, 1857.