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Story
March 4, 1789
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In Massachusetts, a transient gentleman's horse is stolen from an inn; the horse pursues and overtakes the thief, who flees into woods but is captured and tied to a tree overnight, found dead hanged by a halter the next morning. Identities unknown; story decries vigilante barbarity.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
LITCHFIELD, (Conn.) Feb. 9.
BARBARITY.
We learn from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that a transient gentleman having alighted at an inn, about dusk, had his horse stolen: The BRUTE immediately missing his better self, pursued and speedily overtook the thief, who dismounted and fled into an adjacent wood, but he not being swift of foot, was captured. The fellow returned, and reported, that he had tied the thief to a tree; and begging the taverner not to unloose him until Morning, departed: The thief being left unpitied and unsought that night, was found DEAD tied about the neck to the limb of a tree with a halter: and neither the unhappy sufferer or executioner are known.--Though honesty is the best policy; yet converts to the doctrine ought not to be made by violating the laws of society and the rights of humanity. We cannot vouch for the above; but if true, the murderer ought to be diligently pursued.
BARBARITY.
We learn from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that a transient gentleman having alighted at an inn, about dusk, had his horse stolen: The BRUTE immediately missing his better self, pursued and speedily overtook the thief, who dismounted and fled into an adjacent wood, but he not being swift of foot, was captured. The fellow returned, and reported, that he had tied the thief to a tree; and begging the taverner not to unloose him until Morning, departed: The thief being left unpitied and unsought that night, was found DEAD tied about the neck to the limb of a tree with a halter: and neither the unhappy sufferer or executioner are known.--Though honesty is the best policy; yet converts to the doctrine ought not to be made by violating the laws of society and the rights of humanity. We cannot vouch for the above; but if true, the murderer ought to be diligently pursued.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Moral Virtue
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Horse Theft
Vigilante Justice
Lynching
Barbarity
Unknown Murderer
What entities or persons were involved?
Transient Gentleman
Thief
Where did it happen?
Inn In Massachusetts, Adjacent Wood
Story Details
Key Persons
Transient Gentleman
Thief
Location
Inn In Massachusetts, Adjacent Wood
Story Details
A transient gentleman's horse steals itself back by pursuing and capturing the thief in woods near a Massachusetts inn; the owner ties the thief to a tree overnight and leaves; thief found dead hanged next morning; identities unknown; decried as barbarous vigilante murder.