Volume 18 , Issue 4

1884 - Bourbon Ways

As our research continues with The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, dated Wednesday, 23 January 1884, page 9, we learn of the "Bourbon Ways" and "Another Republican Murdered in Virginia," concerning the Monterey lynching of January 1884 of E. D. Atchison. Was the Chicago newspaper writer unfairly trying to blame the Atchison lynching on the Bourbon Democracy of Virginia?

Found on Newspapers.com

Clifton, Va., Jan. 16 (1884) -- A peculiarly brutal and desperate crime was committed by a drunken mob at Monterey, in Highland county, on the last Friday night before this article was written. But owing to the blockaded roads, occasioned by the heavy fall of snow on the preceding Monday, particulars did not reach here until last night.

On Christmas Day Sidney Ruckman, a prominent Readjuster, and E. D. Atchison were drinking together; both were considerably under the influence of liquor. A slight misunderstanding arising between them, some sharp words were followed by blows, when Atchison stabbed Beckman, inflicting a serious, but not fatal wound. Atchison was arrested and lodged in jail. Ruckman was taken charge of by his friends, but insisted that Atchison should not be molested. Atchison at the time of his arrest made threats that he would bring suit against the parties most active in securing his arrest so soon as he could obtain his release. Ruckman had been for several years past a prominent Readjuster, and had labored at all times for the Overthrow of Bourbonism.

Overthrow Of Bourbonism
Atchison was a Vermont man; came into the State a year before or two ago, was an outspoken Republican, and had made himself very obnoxious to the best people by the bold manner in which he had denounced Bourbon says.

Ruckman, who had about recovered from the cutting. Ruckman made it known a few days before the outrage of Friday last that he would not appear against Atchison, and the authorities had as well release him.

On Friday night last, about 11 o'clock, ten masked men, rough looking and otherwise disguised, approached the jail, which stood in the village, and demanded the keys. A man by the name of Hiner was in charge, and he protested he did not have the keys in his possession, being only requested to watch the jail until the jailer's return. The mob then proceeded to batter the jail door and windows; in the meanwhile, several of them commenced firing with guns and pistols through the breaches made at the prisoner. Atchison fought bravely for his life, several times.

Knocking Pistols From The Hands
Knocking pistols from the hands of the men who pointed them through the breaks in the door, and once nearly wrestled from one of them a loaded double-barreled gun. At length he fell from wounds and exhaustion, being shot in four places. The desperadoes were over two hours enforcing the jail and getting into the cell of the doomed man, during which time the masks of four of them fell from their faces and they were recognized by Hiner (the newspaper reported it was Styner, not Hiner) and some others who had gathered around to see "the fun." Atchison was finally secured, bleeding from four wounds, either of which was fatal, and being almost dead and unable to walk, the wretches tied a rope around his neck and dragged him away through the snow.

About 3 o'clock in the morning, several of the lynchers returned into town after more whiskey, informed the guard and some citizens where they could find Atchison. At daylight the track where the unfortunate man had been dragged through the snow was followed, and about a mile from the town his body was found suspended on a tree, pierced with bullets and frozen stiff.

The community of Highland were said to be very indignant over the outrage, and had determined that the guilty parties shall be brought to justice.

This last is the joke. For although at least six of them were well known, no arrests had yet been made and none would be. There was not in Highland County a man who dared to swear out a warrant, nor is there a justice who would venture to issue one.

If an investigation was to be had it would simply develop what every one there already knew. Atchison was a Republican who had made himself obnoxious by freely expressing himself, particularly when drinking. It was hoped Ruckman would die from his injuries and Atchison go to the penitentiary. Ruckman was recovering and acquits Atchison of blame. The Bourbons had resolved to get rid of Atchison, as they hoped through process of law; this failing, they proceeded to lynch him for a misdemeanor at common law. His death by no law known to civilized nations could have been encompassed even had Beckman died from the cutting, but to deliberately organize a mob, fill it with mean whisky, and send it out on a mission of murder Bourbonism could, and did do.

All the men recognized in the mob were Bourbons of the ultra type. Although Ruckman was a Readjuster, no one of his personal or political friends and anything to do with the lynching, and if the perpetrators were ever brought to justice it would be through the instrumentality of these men. The late success of Bourbonism and the means which led to it, seemed to have aroused all the dormant passions of hate, which for four years the Bourbon Democrats had been nursing, and every occasion was taken to vent it. Almost every Bourbon went armed, and their threats against human life could hourly be heard. Had Atchison not been a Republican he would never have been arrested. Ruckman's appeal would have been sufficient to have secured his safety. He died, one more victim, not for having cut Beckman, but for daring to come into Virginia and openly express Republican sentiments.

In extenuation of the crime committed, some of the Bourbons were then circulating the report that the dead man was a very desperate and dangerous character. Strange this was not discovered until after his death, nothing of the sort ever being alleged during his life.
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