Vigilante Justice in the Coal Mines
After his wife revealed a harrowing story of abuse, a coal company worker took the law into his own hands against a 'trusted' physician.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock a somewhat sensational episode occurred at the coal company’s office near the bunkers. Tom Ismay gave the following account of the circumstances: Some time ago, Dr. Cato was released from the territorial penitentiary, having served a term for malpractice. Mr. Ismay extended him a helping hand, assisted him financially, and some years later employed him as the trusted family physician. A few days ago, Mrs. Ismay was feeling unwell, and Tom suggested Dr. Cato be sent for. To his surprise, she objected. Being urged for an explanation, she burst into tears and told Tom a harrowing story of how the trusted physician had, on four different occasions, attempted a vile assault on her, including the use of drugs to accomplish his purpose. She had refrained from telling her husband previously, fearing his impulsive nature and the doctor’s threats on her life. Tom was horrified, but his better judgment overcome his first impulse and he decided to administer a coat of tar and feathers. Tom sent word to the doctor to call at the coal company’s office. He went, and Tom, assisted by his two sons, covered the doctor with a liberal coat of tar and feathers. Dr. Cato was then led home by two bystanders.
“Tom was horrified, but his better judgment overcome his first impulse and he decided to administer a coat of tar and feathers.”
This 1891 account captures a frontier-era version of vigilante 'justice' following a report of sexual assault. While today such crimes are addressed through the legal system, this story highlights the deep-seated distrust in official channels that often led communities to take direct, violent action in the late 19th century.
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