The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-04-09
Tragic Affair In BrOwnstOyvn.
Two Men Hanged by a Mob.

town of Brovnstown, the County seat of
Jac kson County, Indiana, on the line OF
the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, was
on Saturday night the scene of tragic
affair, which resulted in the forcible cap-
ture from jailand the hanging, by mob.
of the exasperated citizens of that vicin-
ity, of two men, charged with the inur-
der of an old lady, for the purpose of
robbery, at or near Clear Springs, Jack
son County, Indiana, some months ago.
1t will be remembered that three men.
named respectively Tally, Brooks and
Easton were arrested, charged with con.
mitting that horrible fendish crime
They were placed in jail at Brownstovny
to await trial at the coming spring term
of the Circuit Court.
The people of jackson County we're
greatly excited when the details of the,
murder became known, and although
the proof that these men committed the
crime was considered very strong, there
was some doubt, and this doubt was not
removed until a few days since, when onee
of the men, Brooks, unable longer to re-
sist the cravings of guilty conscience
revealed by partial confession, enough
to couclusively show that he and Tally
did actually commit the murder. and
that Easton, through their conniyance,
was an accessory. 3. 81
The eonfessio caused renewal of the
excitement in the community. The ex-.
citementwas at fever heat, and deep
feeling of vengeance gathered In the pub
lie mind Tie law was too slow, and it
was whispered around that the trial of
the murders would probably be delayed
from court to court, and that finally they
would escape the punishment they SO
richly deserved. This feeling resulted
on Saturday night in the formation of q
mob, numbering from two hundred and
| fifty to three hundred men.
| On meeting, it is said. they resolved to
hang Brooks and Tally, and leave Easton,
to be tried by the Court, to see if the
law would hang him, the crowd agreeing
at the same time that they would hang
him if the law failed. At midnight the
mob entered Brownstown, mounted upon
horses. They marched for the Jail, and,
filing right and left, completely sur
rounded it. The leaders called out the
Ijailor and demanded the prisoners, Brooks
aud Tally, or the keys Of the jail. I (
| The jailer peremptorily refused to-
give up either the prisoners or the keys.
On this the mob cried out "break down
the door" 'sbreak in the door," and a
rush was made for the jaildoor. 1t read
lily gave way, and several men entered
the Jail, who soon returned dragging
forth. the murderers.
They were taken TO the court house
yard surrounded by the mob. Brooks
was horrorstricken, and upon his knees
begged for life, and declared that he
would make fall confession if he Tas
allowed time. Tally, being a man Of
great nerve, and possessed of great cal
mness, declared that he was not guilty,
and that if he was hung he would die an
innocent man.
4 The shouts from the crowd we're: Hang
them, Hang them. Tally was told that.
time would be given him to make con-
fession.
Nc eronl;ad tbet he had none fo make.
He Tas thsn astsa Is he wished I
m;n;s,sr 70 - 1rav 49, fSr fi him
Hs ranl;ad that ba aid
r. Tbo Rev NJ Renton MAS sent for
and soon made b;s annsarance and seeing
the determination Of those around him.
and that an anneal for mercy was useless
adm;n;stered to tho sn;r;tnal wants of
tbe doomed mon ne nravad car for.
a;vensss w oe tbe;r ans and for neaca u;th
their God After this religions service.
Tal1v was told to nrenare for Immediate
execution. He verv cody objected to
the tree which the mob had selected
He nointed to one near by. SAVING it was.
: . mneh better tree as its protecting
/, limbs Nould allow their bodies 10 swing,
), clear Of the body of the tree. The de-.
: sired CHANGED was made. Barrels were
: placed under projecting limb. to which
ropes were attached. Tally got up OF a
barrel and made a request that he be al
lowed to fasten the rope around bis own
; After adjusting the rope around his
neck to his satisfaction, which operation
occupied but about three minutes, be