Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

How traitors are treated in Iowa.--A very ludicrous scene took place last Saturday. It had been arranged that a lodge of the Golden Syrup order should be organized; a house was engaged and speakers from Marion and Otter Creek Townships provided to be on hand to give the faithful a good sermon on the beauties of the peculiar institution. The Marion speakers, however, failed to come to time, but Mr. James Thomas, of Otter Creek, was “thar,” and found a much larger crowd than he expected to meet in such a strong Republican precinct, but not doubting they were all of the faithful, he proceeded to make the speech of the occasion. He abused Lincoln, pitched into Congress and the Cabinet, and showed such unmistakable sympathy with treason and rebellion that a cry of “hang him,” “bring a rope,” etc., was soon [12] raised. A rope was brought; Mr. Thomas was requested to say his last words. By good management, however, he got near the door, and ejaculating a prayer of “legs do your duty,” he broke for the prairie, fifty or more excited men in pursuit. Down the ravine, over the knolls, through sloughs, toward the banks of the Cedar, but Thomas beat them all, and as his pursuers neared the river-banks they heard something go “ker chug” into the water with a grunt like a very large bull-frog when scared off a log. Thomas had escaped, and put the river between himself and danger.--Linn County Register, July 25.