The Weekly Lancaster Gazette

Lynch Law In Mariposa--Jack Roarke Hung by the People.

The citizens of Mariposa were all last week in a state of great excitement, in consequence of the murder of a man named James Horing, a tall, fine looking Kentuckian, by a one-eyed gambler, known in many parts of the State as Jack Roarke. Horing went to Mariposa from the neighborhood of Sonora about the middle of last week. He became intoxicated on Saturday evening, and was taken by Roarke and put to bed in the El Dorado. Next morning he missed some money about $160 which was in his pocket the evening previous.

During Sunday and Monday he made some inquiries to discover the thief, and from facts elicited by him, became convinced that Roarke was the person.

Roarke, previous to the robbery of the money, had represented himself as being broke, and this was pretty generally received by his associates as true. After the events of Saturday evening, he appeared to have some funds, and was betting rather freely.

On Tuesday morning he and two others were sitting in the El Dorado Saloon, when Horing entered, and insinuated that Roarke had robbed him. Roarke said that he must not make any insinuations against him; and that he was too well known in Mariposa, and that if he did make any such insinuations, he would shoot the top of his head off. The deceased replied that if he took the top of his head off he would have to take the bottom off with it. He then rose from the table where he was sitting, drew his pistol, cocked it, and presented it in the direction of Roarke. McGreal immediately stepped between them, caught the pistol of the deceased and pointed it up, when Roarke reached round Mr. McGreal and shot Horing, while held by another. After receiving a mortal wound, Horing fired at Roarke who was flying, but missed him. Horing died, and Roarke was arrested and confined in the county jail.

The people were very much excited against the murderer at the time, but their indignation slumbered until Saturday last, when the agent of Adams & Co., reports that Jack Roarke was taken from the jail by a large crowd of the citizens, and hung until dead, on a tree just outside of the limits of the town.

An eye witness adds:

"Arrived at the gallows, he ascended the platform with the rope about his neck, made a brief address, in which he denied the report of having previously killed a number of men, as fabrications, together with some other charges which had been industriously circulated to his prejudice, declared his regret in not being allowed a trial by law, returned thanks to the sheriff and party for their efforts to retain him in legal custody, and with the expression of "God bless my son!" submitted, and was hung."