Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-04-02
Affair In BrOwnstOwn-
Two Men Hanged by a Mob.

Two Men Hanged by a Mob.
q [TeIegraphic Cor. Cincinnati ii Uommercial.l I
BRowNsTowN, IND, March 31.-The |
town of Brownstown, the county seat OF
Jackson county, Indiana, on the line OF the
Ohio q Mississippi ailPoad, was, on Satur- !
day night, the scene of a tragic affair,
which resulted in the forcible capture from
Jail. and the hanging, by mob of exas-
perated citizens of that vicinity, of two
men. charged with the murder of an old
lady, for the purpose of robbery, at or near
,GleaF@SPfings, jackson county, Indiana,
some months ago.
: = II will be remembered that three men.
named respectively Tally, Brooks and
Easton. were. arrested, charged with com
smitting that horribly ftendish crime. They
we're placed in Jail at Brownstown to await
trial at becoming spring term of the Cir
cult Court.
The people of Jackson county were
greatly excited when the details OF the muir
der 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 un-
til few days since, when one of the men,
Brooks, unable longer To resist the gnaw-
ings of guilty conscience, revealed, by
partial confession, enough to conclusively
show that he and Tally did actually commit
the murder, and that EaSton, through their
connivaIsce: was an accessory. s.
This confession caused a renewal Of the
excitement in the community. The eX-
citement was at fever heat, and deep feel
| ing of vengeance gathered in the public
mind. The law was too slow, and it was
whispered around that the trial of the mur-
derers would probably be delayed from
court to court, and that finally they would
escape the punishment they so richly de-
served. This feeling resulted on Saturday
night in the formation of a mob, number
| ing 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 up
on horses. They marched for the jail, and
filing right and left, compile tely surrounded
it. The leaders called out the jailer and
demanded the prisoners, Brooks and Tally,
or the keys to the jail.
! The jailer peremptorily refused to give
up either the prisoners or the keys. Ga this
| the mob cried out. Break down the door,
break in the door J" and rush was made
for the Jail door. 1t readily gave way,
and several men entered the Jail, who soon
returned, dragging forth the two murder
ers.
They were taken to the Court House
yard and surrounded by the mob. Brooks
was horror stricken, and upon his knees
begged for life, and declared that he would
make full confession if he was allowed
time. Tally, being man of great nerve
and possessed OF great calmness, declared
that he was not guilty, and that If he was
| hung, would die an innocent man.
Tue shouts from the crowd were, Hang
them - Hang them!" Tally was told
that time would be given hiIa TO make con-
fession.
He replied that he had none to make.
81 He was then asked if he wished minis
tier to pray for him.
He replied he did. 80
The Rev. Mr.. Benton was sent for, and
soon made his appearance. and seeing the
determination of those around him, and
that an appeal for mercy was useless, ad-
mnistered TO the spiritual wants of the
doomed men. He prayed for forgiveness oi
their sins, and for peace with their God
LAfCer this religious service, Tally was told
to prepare for immediate execution. He
very coolly objected to the tree which the
ISmob had selected. He pointed to one neal
by, saving it was a much better tree, as itS
projecting limbs would allow their bodie;
to swing clear of the body of the tree. The
desired change was made. Barrels were
placed under projecting limb, to which
ropes were attached. Tally got up on bar
rel and made a request that he be allowed
to fasten the rope around his own neck
which he was allowed to do. After adjust
ing the rope around his neck TO his salts
faction, which operation occupied bu
about three minutes, he gave the barrel un
der him a kick and was left suspended il
4 the air. Brooks lost several minutes il
begging and praying tor his life to b.
spared He was put upon the barrel, the
Il rope tied fast around his neck, and the bar
rel knocked from under him.
They hung for forty-five minutes, whel
J life was declared extinct. The bodies wer,
then taken down and placed in the Cour
House. The mob then quietly dispersed tt
their homes. s atFf'7ss
The men composing the mob were not il
any way disguised, and did their work in
quiet and orderly manner:
The Coroner yesterday held an inques
upon the bodies.