Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-04-27
Two Men Hanged by a Mob in Indiana

! lie tOWU OF DTOW WI, lHo Iou"'y
seat Of Jackson county. Indiana, was on
Saturday night the scene Of tragic affair,
which resulted in lhe ioreible capture
from i,Il. and the hanging by mob OF
he exaspe,aed citizens OF that vicinity,
Of two men charged with the murder Of
an old lady for the purpose Of robbery, at
or near Clear Springs, Jackson county,
Indiana some months ago.
=. Three men named respectively Tally,
Brooks and Esston, were arrested, eharg-
ed with committing that fendish crime.
They were placed in Jail at Bfo"nsiown
10 await trial al ihe coming sP1ng term OF
ihe Circuit Court The people OF jack
son county we're greatly excited when the
details Of the murder became known, and
although the proof lho, these men COM
milled the crime was considered very
strong. there was some doubt, and this
doub, was not removed until few days
since, when one Of the men, Brooks, I'M.
able longer to resist ,he Cravings OF
guilty conscience. revealed, by partial
confession, enough 10 show that he and
Tally did actually commit the murder,
and tha, Esston, through lher connlVance
was an accessory.
This confession caused renewal OF
the excitement in the community. The
excitement was al fever heat. and deep
feeling of vengeance gathered in lhe pub
lie mind. This feeling resulted on Sat
uIday night IN the formation OF mob,
numbering from two hundred and h!ty 10
ihree hundred men. On meeting, II Is
said, they resolved to hang Brooks and
Tally, and leave Easton to be tried by the
court. TO see if HE law would hang hlm,
the crowd agreeing al NE same TIME, that
they would hang him If the law iaIIed.
A, midnight The mob entered Browns
town. mounted upon kor'es. They
marched for the jail, and, Sling right and
left, completely surrounded il. The lea
ders called out tie jailor and demanded
The prisoners. Brooks and Tally, or The
keys TO the j H. The jaiIor mptoriIy
refused to give up either the prisoners or
The KEYS. On this lhe mob cried out,
"break down the door, break down The
Idoorl" and rush was made for the Jail
door. ii readily gave way. and several
men rnIered NE jail. who soon returned,
dragging forth the two murdeIeFs.
They were taken TO the court house
ward and surrounded by the mob Brooks
" as horror stricken. and upon his knees
begged for life, and declared lhat ne wonld
make confession If lie was allowed time.
Tally, being . msn oi great nerve and
possessed of great cslmness. declared he
was not guilty, and Iha. if he was hung,
would die an innocent man.
The Shouts from The crowd were chang
them," "hang Them" Tally was told
that time would be given him 10 make a
confession. II replied that he had noLe
10 make. He was then asked # he wish.
ed a minister TO pray for him. he re-
piled he did.
The Rev. Mr.. Benton was sent for and
soon made his appearance. and seeing The
determination Of those a7oHad hlH, and
that an appeal for mercy was useless, ad'
miGislered 10 the spiritual wants Of the
doomed men. He prayed for forgiveness
Of their sins, and for peace with their
God. After this religious service, Tally
was told to prepare for immediate execu-
lion. He very cooly objected 10 the
tree which the mob had selected. he
pointed 10 one near by saving IT was a
much better tree. as its projecting limb
would allow their bodies 10 swing clear
OF the body Of the tree. The desired
change was made. Barrels were placed
under The projecting limb, to which ropes
were attached.
Tally got up or barrel and made a
request shat he be allowed TO fasien the
rome around his own neck. which he was
allowed TO do. After adjusting The rope
around his neck 10 his satisfaction, which
operation occupied but about three min
uies, he gave The barrel under him kick
and wss left suspended in the air. Brooks
lost several minutes in begging and pray
ing for hls life 10 be spared. lie was
PM upon the barrel, the rope tied fasi
around his neck, and the barrel knocked
from under him.
They hung for forty.fre minutes,
when life was declared extinct. The
bodies were taken down and placed in ihe
court house. The mob then quietly dis.
persed 10 their homes.-CinGinnai Com
mercial.
Twice A WIDOW IN One DAY.-An ex