[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, September 1, 1860, p. 2, c. 5

Lynch Law in Upshur

                The report that a man was taken out of jail at Gilmer, Upshur county, and hung 
in the vicinity of the town, by a mob, turns out to be true.  The hanging took place on the 14th 
inst.  The man's name was Morrison.  He had been lodged in the Upshur county jail, charged with 
stealing a negro woman from a Mr. Farris, near Pittsburg, Upshur county.  After he was placed in 
jail, seventy-five citizens of the counties of Wood, Hopkins, and Titus made their appearance, 
called a meeting of the citizens of Gilmer, and demanded that Morrison should be delivered up to 
them.  A public meeting was convened to consider its propriety.  A. U. Wright was called to the 
chair and R. W. Ford appointed Secretary.  Hon. Jonathan Russel, in behalf of the 75, explained 
the object of the meeting.  It is alleged that Morrison had been engaged in inciting the negroes 
to insurrection in the above counties.  We presume the people were satisfied of his guilt, for 
he was given up and hung.  We expect he was a depraved, bad man.  The Quitman Herald says of him:
                "Morrison, from what we can learn, was about 28 years of age, rather small in form 
and fair complected.  He was married to his wife in Indiana, but removed to this State from Kansas, 
(where he was a participant in the troubles with the free soil party,) and first settled in 
Montague county.  He had been living at Winnsborough in this county for several months, and was a 
well digger by trade.  Lately he had abandoned his wife and had been working in the neighborhood 
of Pittsburg in Upshur county.  He confessed decoying off the negro and also to stealing a watch 
and other articles of value which were found as he directed."
                The wretch detected in burning or attempting to burn a town, or in inciting the 
negro population to insurrection richly merits death.  Such a man is an enemy to society, and 
stands in the relation of a pirate.  But it would be better for the community in every case where 
the law is effectual to punish crime, to permit it to take its course; and in all cases where the 
death penalty is inflicted, the proof justifying it ought to be published to the world.  The 
parties engaged in the transaction owe it to themselves and to society.
                The parties engaged in this affair, whose names are mentioned, are among the most 
respectable citizens of Upshur and wood counties.  The Democrat states that the hanging of Morrison 
is universally justified.  About two hundred persons witnessed the execution.