Randolph County AlArchives News.....Man Tortured to Death in Randolph County  September 25, 1864
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 January 27, 2023, 6:58 pm

Chicago Tribune September 25, 1864
In Randolph County, Alabama, recently Union man was dragged from his house by 
the "Peace Democracy” and taken to thicket. 
After a consultation it was determined to put him in the tory's yoke, but, first 
of all, to try make him acknowledge to having done and said certain things of 
which he was innocent. 
After trying some time to accomplish their object, by questioning and threating, 
they resorted more severe measures. Untying him, they took off his clothes laid 
him down upon a log, lashed him firmly to it, and with luge hickory slicks 
commenced lacerating him. Four let it on him at once, and the numbers soon 
increased to six. They continued to beat him there for long time, pausing 
occasionally and asking him if he would confess and upon his refusing would let 
in on him more vigorous.
The blood trickled from his back in streams. His piteous appeals on behalf of 
mercy were totally disregarded. Nature finally yielded, and the poor man swooned 
and was lost to consciousness for several minutes as soon as he revived these 
hellish tormentors resumed their tortures. 
They spilt the ends of green sticks and twisting them in his hair and pulling 
violently, caused the most excruciating pain. This and other fiendish operations 
were continued for some time. They then cut off his fingers at the second joint, 
also his ears close up to his head. 
The next step was to cut off his arms at the elbows, and the legs at the knees. 
After this operation the wretched victim fainted and falling to recover for 
several minutes the murderers pronounced him dead and began to prepare to leave, 
but at that moment their victim showed signs or life. They now used a rope 
around his neck, and hung him to a limb nearby, and instantly decamped. 

Additional Comments:
James Halpin [Shot]
George W. Key [Hung]
Were both murdered during the civil war in Randolph County.

There is a ghost story in the Mt. Pleasant Community in Randolph County about a
man, that was hung & decamped during the Civil War.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/mantortu1973gnw.txt

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