The New York herald., 1870-07-31
THE LYNCHING AT PONCA, IOWA.
Systemntic Mobile Is Hanged by tho
Vote Of the CrOwd-TwO Young Girls Vote
No-A Horrible Sight.

From the Sioux City Times, July 22l
few days alter Miller's arrest and imprisonment
al Ponca he confessed his guilt to the Sheriff. after
having previously tried to lasten IL upon another an
absent party: All too willing the people ready
TO rid hun VI lie, and desecrated church by the
prclimlnaries of the lawless proceeding. We give
narrative of the proceedings
BY his desire 1t was arranged for him 10 make
public confession at the Lutheran church OH Satur
day. which day the people had decided to hang
hun without Judge or Jury. AZ ten O'CLOCK he was
leave OF his father, mother, brother and sisters.
The church was crowded TO Its fullest Ca
pactty, and hundreds were gathered outside. All
classes or people were present. and there seemed no
desire the part OF any to preserve secrecy In
regard to the unlawful proceedings. Miller entered
the tne snargh WIN @ s,sp little pale perhaps
prayed Win hun, and some women sang hymn or
two He then made his public confession. which we
lie said that he first saw Dunn at Onawa, on the
Southern Central and Pacific Railroad, where he
made his acquainiance and asceriained that he was
on his way TO visit Nebraska for the purpose OF buy
ing land. Miller professed TO be we'll acquainted
IN Nebraska. and volunteered to bear him company.
two came together to Sioux City, and crossed
the rver for Franklin. On the 5th instant
Mes oWea to pSn
posely 10 consume the day, and to await the
shadows Of night for the consummation OF his
bloody purpose. They stopped IN swampy place
not far from the road 10 get drink OF water. When
Dunn got down to drink Miller drew his knife
back. Dunn jumped 10 his feet, but Miller at once
prostrated hlin by severe blow on the head with
heavy hts cmdge easo Mier then ponnsng upon
Dunn said. my Cod my vile and chill
drenr' He threw his pocketbook to Miller.
slaught anu he persisted until his victim dead,
with 1orty-eight HORRIBLE ghasty wounds Miller
took the pockctbook from the ground and such valu
bles as Dunn had upon his person. and went to the
bank OF the creek, where he attempted to rid
himself and his plunder Of the blood stains OF
his victim. the pocketbook contained $ll5 in
money. Miller went home and renamed
there until Friday morning. wnen he came TO
coanc % Bas Miller said that II his S Object in COM
mltting the murder was to enable him to get money
with which TO marry prostitute woman Of his
might open lcwd house. lie said 1t was the first
crime Of the kind he ever committed. and that The
report OF nus having murdered Bigler, who was
drowned last winter, was entirely without founda-
ton.
At the conclusion OF his remarks vote was
taken as TO whether he deserved hanging or not,
and there were no negatives save two young girls,
whose hearts were touched 10y feeling Of humanity
toward even such an abject creature as that man.
guard thereupon appeared and took the prisoner
from the hands OF the sneriT, and conveyed him
from the house. The prisoner was placed in
a wagon, and taken TO point about quarter
OF mile from the church, where scallud had been
erected for the purpose Of his execution. crowd
OF about 500 people were on the ground, and among
them alliwas no spark OF sympathy for the man
soon TO suffer q most ignominious death. A board
was placed across the wagon box, and on this was
Miller The wagon driven under the scafold,
which was formed OF standing poles and there halted
Miller sad to the crowd that lie was ready and beg
ged OF his eXecutioners TO make quick work. He
still was self-possessed and evidently without fear.
cousin Of the murdered man, from Clinton. got
upon the wagon and put the fatal moose over the
mans head. Wnen all was pronounced ready the
wagon was driven away and Miller gave q little leap
as 1t went--the next thing, was dangling in the
air struggling with DEATH The rope was not
well adjusted and his death agonles were terrible TO
behold 1t was thirty minutes before he was dead.
There was nothing over his face, and the people
could see 1t as 1t became black and as the blood
came issuing from his nose, mouth and eyes After
death The remains were taken down and given into
the hands or the people. All the exercises were
conducted as openly as If the execution had been
OF legal character, and were as free ron excite.
ment as II was possible for them TO be under the Cir.
cuInslancna