The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-23
TIE HANGING In INDIANA.
Further observation-disclosures OF Mrs. An.
ders0n, the Wife of One of the yictims-A
Terrible Narrative Of Horror.
From the Detroit Free Press, Dec. p

derson, the Wife of One Of the victims-A
Terrible Narrative Of Horror.
From the Detroit Free Press Dec. 21.l
On Friday night Mrs Charles Anderson the wife
OF the prisoner OF that name who hung with the
Renos at New Albany, arrived at Windsor, with her
child, en- route for her former home in New York
state. saturday our reporter had an interview with
her. during which she related the whole story OF the
terrible fate OF her husband and the other prisoners
and Frank keno's wife and sister were all occupying
house but about two blocks IRON the jail. They heard
the reports OF the pistols fired at three in the
morning, but as the alarm bell at the jail did not
sound they supposed that nothing was wrong then.
Late IN the morning the alarm bell did sound and
almost instantly word was brought to them OF what
had occurred. fastening to the jail they found II
open and already crowded with people. They were
informed thai the prisoners were sti hanging upon
which they refused to see them until they were cut
down. When they next went to the Jail the remains
were lying in row. Anderson looked perfectly
Little disfgured. Simeon and William reno.
however, presented horrible specacles, the faces
81 p0tn t were terribly distorted MRS @ ms
does not differ materially from that already given.
The guard had stepped into the house to warm him
was made at the door and some four five pistols
pointed az him. In answer to their question he said
that he had not the slightest notion where the keys
were, and that he was only an outside guard, hav-
ing nothing to do with the keys OF the jail. Sheriff
FIlienove hearing the noise came to the door, but
compromising the situation made his escape
the back way down STAIRS and as he was
about to spring from window one OF the
TcRuidtUT5 stdliOucu OuSllc NJ uItI TIC
bah taking effect in his forearm. He was
then brought into the house, still refusing give up
the keys or to tell where they were. They then at
tempted TO induce his wife to tell where they were
but with no better success. They made all sorts OF
threats. but to no purpose. Chas. sanford a turn
all this time concealed In the garnet, while the regu
lators kept repeatedly nquirng for "Charlie." The
ana shouted to Sanford TO do SO or he Would XIII
him. IL seems, however, that in the meantime the
regulators found Sanford, whom they were not long
In lfiner fn TI.Ax
left guard over the officers OF the jail and
the Sheriff and his WIFE and proceeded to compel
se @ 70 sn sSs the 0es o. tine
tally released q negro boy. who was SO paralyzed
with fear that he crawed or TO dark corner where,
unnoticed by those in the Jail, he witnessed the
whole afar. His story Is given Substantially as fol-
lows:-They first went to Frank Reno's cell, he
was the upper tier some resistance aisE
placing his hands on either side Of the door,
and bracng himself back in that way. They nnaiiy
dragged him out however, feet first and placed
the rope around his neck. He now made the most
piteous entrcates for his life, but while they
upon him and forcing him backward the railing
broke his back, rendering him entirely unconSc )uS
He was then hung to the railing and the party came
to the lower tier. next opening William Reno's cell.
He made little or no resistance, but begged for his
life. They took him to the spot where Frank was
hanging and suspended him with his face to the
latter's back. AS soon this was done some four
or five seized hold OF his body and dragged 1t down
TIL MS g meek was drawh giving ms coans e
death. 1t seems that besides those who dragged at
the body some OF the party must have pulled the head
forward, as Mrs. Anderson states that while his
lower jaw rested on his breast his neck was drawn
out far beyond and even above the back OF the head
Simeon Reno was the next victim. lie fought terri
bly,, knocking Que OF the regulators insensDle AMI
giving him fearful cash across the forehead with
piece OF sheet iron which he tore or the side OF his
cell. He was at last oyerpowcred, but II Is thought
that he either killed outright or entirely uncon-
scous before he was hanged. Charles Anderson
was the last brought out and as soon Us he was re-
moved from lis cell liS the rllastIV
Gle OF the stark c0rpses OF the Reno brothers still
suspended to the railing. He made no resistance,
bat solemnly protested his Innocence even after he
had no hope OF his life. lie then begged to be allowed
one moment to prepare for DEATH but he was only
ordered to ''shut up and before he had time TO ut
ter short prayer he was suspended by the neck.
10 seems that the regulators were In something OF
hurry by this me for as soon as Anderson was sus-
pended they hurried away. The negro boy who tells
The story says that had not been tor fear OF the
turn OF the regulators he thinks he might have saved
Andersons life, for he states he was so hung that his
toes touched the floor and he showed signs OF life
more than nm hour after he was first suspended.
This statement was partially corroborated BY those
who cut the bodies OF the Reno brothers were cold
and stir, Andersons was yet vain when
cut down. The same boy asserts that while
they opening the cells one OF the regulators re-
moved his mask, but his number tsixteenl was In
stanty called, and he quickly replaced 1t. The masks
worn by all Of them red flannel, and from what
little they said IL seems that they called each other
by numbers only. The rope used by them was q
small but very strong cord, not much larger than
clothes line
Mrs. Anderson seems inclined to suspect Charles
Sanford OF some sort OF COLLISION with the regulators
but how much foundation she has for this remains TO
he seen.
She says the citizens Of New Albany are greatly ex-
cited about the lynching or the prisoners and she ex
poets that every effort will be made to secure and
punish the perpetrators OF the deed.