North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-09-22
Lynching at Portage City.


p. WlLpRIcK, known here as the devil
who robbed S. s. Gates CT $500; nearly
murdered him on Wisconsin river
Island many months ago; arrested at
McGregor by Marshal L. NJ. Hopkins,
| of this city, and by him knocked helpless
with the brecch end Of pistol, Sheriff
Pool, of Wisconsin, accompanying Hop
kins, and Icing on the track Of Wildrick,
1 incaf cuTsttgFs sstfu1IDia Co., Jaii,
examined briefly and let out on bail. vas
-lynched quite effectually on the 18th at
Portage! Wildrick was an immensely
stout man, and fought for life ''like a
tiger" We condense and clip particu-
lars as reported in the La Crosse and
Portage papers:
On thu 10th he robbed liver Oleson, and
was caught in the act and sent to Jail.
Gates was subsequently murdered near
Kilbourn City, by men named Smith and
Richards who were accomplices Of Viii
drick, and desired to get Gates testimony
out of tho way. Frank Gale, q name
once known here, is mixed with S. & r.
in isfkilling business. Parties are
looking fofall these fancy ducks, and more
improlnMu funerals may be expected.
The Portage Register of the 18th, gives
the following account
As near as We can gather the particu'
lars, this Sunday morning, it seems that
large band of men came into torn by
the 1880 train from the west, and an
equally large crowd came across the Wis
consin river bridge at the same time, and
proceeded to the Jail. Two men, with a
third one between them, went to the Jail,
knocked, and Deputy Kerner presented
himself at the door, and was informed
that they were officers having criminal
in charge for confinement, whcreupon
they were admitted to the Jail, when
K9rner was immediately seized, and oth>
ers of the party entered the Jail and seiz-
ed Sheriff Sorrenson. From Sheriff
Sorrenson we learn that half way down
the stairs he met column of men coming
up, who seized him, carried him out OF
doors, laid him on his face, tied his hands
behind Thin, also tied handkerchief over
+ his month and eyes, took him about six
. rods from the door, laid him face down
ward, and several men sat down upon him
while the work of selling the prisoner
was going on. Duputy Sheriff Kocrner
he'd been seized and secured in similar
I manner. The key to the first, or what is
called the safe door was obtained from
bis pants pocket. 4 portion of the keys
to the inner doors of the Jail were obtain
| ed by going into the bedroom of Mrs.
KGrner. The balance of the keys were
found up stairs. The party then proceed
ed to the cell in which Wildrick was con,
fined. unlocked it, took him out, and in a
short time thereafter Inc was found hang
ing on tree close by in rayine.
So quietly had all this occurred that the
news of the hanging was scarcely known
in town until our citizens were informed
of it on going to their business after
breakfas
Wildrick fought so desperately agains
the nnoose ornament" that he was killed by
4 blow from one of the party, and thu
hanging was mere form. Hopkins, Of
our city, says the personal relations be-
.ween himself and the notorious dead
could never have been "pleas-
mt" and hence he has no special sorrow
Is to the result Who blames anybody !?
We oppose mob law and don't go very
eavy on the hell belief of our fathers,
wcll-botl- dis
asesn &c