A MURDERER LYNCHED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6572, 9 December 1882, Page 2 (Supplement)

A MURDERER LYNCHED.

A Ti-'RRIBLK CRIMI-

J AMU KiioWKs, tlic noted outlaw and murderer of Mr. John. 0. Massie ami his aged wife on the night of March 7 List, was lynched at oni; o'clock on October - by a mob, who took him from tliu g.iol at Charlottesville, where he was confined for trial. Tlie murder was a most atrocious and cold-blooded one. The aged couple were fairly hacked to death with an axe, and their blood and brains bespattered tlie walls and iloors of the house. Mr. Music's residence was entered in the •■arly part or the night by the murderer, for the purpose ol robborv, before Mr. and -Mrs. MasMe had letired. Tiiey. with a little negro girl, perhai.s four years old, were the only persons in the house. Hearing a noise in tiic hall it is presumed that Mr. Massio went out to see what the matter was, followed by his wife with a lantern, when they were evidently confronted by the wretch ami murdered with an axe which belonged to the [iremi.-cs. Mr. Massie's brains were scattered over the hall floor near tlie front door, and Mrs. Massie was found near the back door with a horrible gash across her head. Both were dead. Tlie little coloured girl remained in the house all night, and when the boy came in fro.u the ollice in the yard to make the tiros in the morning, the bodied were discovered weltering in blood. The next day tlie community was aroused and the most intense excitement prevailed. The murder was committed for the purpose of robbery, as the house was ransacked and jewellery and money to the value of several thousand dollars were secured by the murderers. Bands of pursuers were at once organised, and the surrounding country was scoured. Suspicions, corroborated by unmistakable evidence, indicated Rhodes as the assassin. He was tracked to his house, which was surrounded by a crowd, and a constable summoned him to sut render. The outlaw coolly walked out and presenting a heavily charged shot-gun at the officer moved past him and iled to the neighbouring woods. The pursuit was continued for several days, but finally Rhodes escaped to East Tcnncsse, where he was recently identified through a photograph and description sent by the Sherill of Albemarle county, and arrested. The assassin had married a poor but respectable girl, named Fox. living 1G miles from Newport, in TVunesse, about a month previous to his arrest. It was a short and sad honeymoon for the unfortunate woman. Khodes was arrested on September IS, in a bar-room at Newport, Tenii. He was brought to CJharlottesvillo about a week ago, was fully identified and all the horrible facts of the murder proved upon him to the satisfaction of the neighbours. s>ooll after midniuht a party consisting of about f>o masked men surrounded the gaoler's house and compelled him to surrender the keys of the gaol. They then went to the gaol and took Khoiies out. Two members of the Monticello Guard were on duty in the gaol yard guarding the prisoner, but they were quickly overpowered by the lyucbers. The Commonwealth's Attorney was aroused, and he followed the avenging mob, ordering them to desist and disperse. He was halted and not permitted to pass a given point at the peril of his life. The lyuehers then took .Rhodes to the farm of Captain T. L. Farrish, and in a lield on the free bridge road they hung him to the limb of an oak tree. The outlaw died game, defying his executioners to the last. His body hung until seven o'clock next morning, and numbers of citizens went from Charlottlfcsville to view it. It is jury will hold au inquest to-morrow. It is said that lihodes asked for ten minutes to pray before he was strung up. He was lowered once and asked to confes-s. He merely said that his mother and brother were innocent of any participation in tlie crime. This was all lie would admit. Hi; was then liually hauled up and left dangling in the air.