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When the hour for execution arrived, about one hundred and twenty men were drawn up in a line, in single file. This line was divided in the center. John Driscoll was led out by Captain Pitcher, in full view of his executioners. He was made to kneel ten paces in front of the west half of the line. His eyes were blindfolded, and his arms pinioned behind him. At the signal, every gun, save one, was fired in a single volley. John Driscoll fell forward on his face without a struggle or groan, or the apparent movement of a muscle.

William Driscoll was then brought out and placed at the same distance before the center of the other half of the line. He was blindfolded, pinioned, and made to kneel upon the ground. As Judge Leland counted three, the volley of more than fifty guns was as the sound of one. William Driscoll was dead. The father and son fell about forty feet apart. A grave was dug between them, about two and one-half feet deep. and four feet wide. The old man was first taken and placed in the grave, without coffin or shroud; and then the son was laid by his side. Their caps were drawn over their faces, and thus they were buried, without the presence of a mourning friend.

Mr. Chaney assisted in carrying the elder Driscoll to the grave, and discovered that the bones of his head were literally broken to pieces, and the region of the heart perforated with bullets. In William Driscoll's vest front were found forty bullet-holes. After their execution one of their guard stated that William Driscoll in his prayer confessed he had committed five murders, and prayed to be forgi ven. It is said that just before he was led out to die, William called his brother Pierce and said : "They are going to kill me, and I want you to take that money of mine that is hid and give my children a liberal education, and spend it for their support until they become men and women and grown. There is a plenty of it." Pierce expressed his willingness to do so, but said : "I don't know where your money is ; you have never told me." William tried to tell him, but exclaimed : "0 my God I can't do it! "

A strange sequel occurred many years later. The farm that had been owned by William Driscoll became the property of a man named Byers. One day in autumn, while he Ivas threshing, three men came on horseback and entered the grove west of the house. After surveying the premises, they located a spot and began digging. Byers ordered them to stop, but he was confronted by a revolver and an order to return and mind his own business. After their departure, Byers went to the spot and found a hole which they had dug in the ground, and beside it a small empty box, and at the bottom of the hole the mark and place from which the box had been dug. No explanation was ever found. A reward of five hundred dollars was offered in August, 1841, for the capture of David and Taylor Driscoll. by a committee of the citizens of Ogle county.

David Driscoll never returned. It was reported that about two years after the murder of Campbell, he was shot dead in Iowa by a sheriff who was attempting to arrest him. Taylor Driscoll was indicted for the murder of Campbell, and kept in different jails nearly two years ; and by changes of venue and confusion of witnesses, he was at length given his liberty.

Throughout these strange proceedings the Regulators were sustained by the ablest lawyers and best citizens throughout the country. "Doctors and scholars, ministers and deacons" regarded this terrible example of lynch law as a public necessity. One notable exception to this general public sentiment was the Rockford Star. In its issue of July 1, 1841, its editor, Mr. Knappen, denounced the lynching insevere terms. He also published in the same number of the Star a communication of similar import, signed Vox Populi, said to have been written by Jacob Miller.

Some months after the execution of the Driscolls, the matter was brought before the attention of the grand jury in Ogle county. Judge Ford then resided at Oregon, and it is said this action was taken at his suggestion. At the September term of the circuit court, indictments were found against one hundred and twelve citizens. Among these were four Chaney brothers, Richard, Phineas, Osborn and Ralph, three of whom became residents of Rockford and Horace Miller. Jason Marsh and Charles Latimer, of Winnebago county. The case was called for trial at the same term of court. Judge Ford presided, and Seth B. Farwell appeared for the people. Some of the jurors were under indictment for complicity in the affair. Several witnesses were called, and pleas made : and without leaving their seats the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty." No one expected a conviction ; but it was considered desirable to have the matter settled according to the regular form of law.

History of Winnebago County-1877

Illinois Ancestors