The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-11-18
POPULAR VENGEANCE.
LYNCH LAW I'm INDIANA.
The Murderers Of the Park Family Taken from
the Prison aud Hung by Mob

INDIANAPOLIS. NOV. H. 1871.
On SUNDAY morn.ssx the entire cofinidnity OF this
O'"'e ~e.. startled by the discovery OF series Of
MURDERS which for nendish atrocity has seldom
been equalled. On Saturday night the house OF
Mr.. Park, near Lebanon Church. few miles nom
HenryvlIle was broken open by party or despera-
does, who beat out the brains OF Mr. and Mrs. Park
and their son. aged ten years; two daughters four
teen and fifteen years OF age respectively, were
also clubDed until they were senseIess, and
were found the next morning In q diving condition.
Slight traces OF the murderers were discovered;
but finally the cxerons of the seuth hounds OF the
law were crowned with success, and three negroes,
OF notorious bad character, named Squn Taylor
Charles Dixon and George Johnson, were arrested,
circumstances too strong for contradiction point
ing them out as the perpetrators OF the bloody deed
One OF the accused subsequently made full con-
fession, saving that the crime was committed to
obtain possession OF small sum or money which
the unfortunate Park had recently collected
The sequel Is nearly atr0cious as was the horrd
crime itself. The murderers were placed in the
county jail at Charleston. The public excitement
became intense and threats Of lynching the assas.
sins were openly made, but no extra precauti0n
was made By the authorities to prevent such
outrage. At two O'Clock this morning about forty
disguised men suddenly made their appearance In
the streets Of Charleston, and without alarming many
OF the Inhabitants Of the town, marched silently
and orderly to the Jail. The ailer soon aroused
by one or two or the crowd, who made some pre-
text for wanting admission at such an unusual
hour. The door being opened to permit them to
enter. the whole crowd made rush for admission,
and number effected an entrance The cell In
which the murderers were confined was forced open,
the three reused from their slumbcrs ana taken
about two miles from the town ana hung to two
trees Making sure that their job was welt done, tho
mob quietly dispersed, leaving the bodies OF the
malefactors dangling from the trees, where they
were discovered this morning by the citizens.
When found Taylor had been stripped naked and
burned In number or places with brands from q
fire which the mob had kindled, probably with the
intention, as expressed by them, OF roasting them
alive.
It is strongly intimated that the negroes made q
confession before DEATH Taylor and Johnson were
hung on the same tree; Davis on another tree,
some hundred feet distant. The mob was made up
OF citizens from the vicinity Of Henryville, otis
county, and Charlestown.
The C0r0ner's inquest, held to-day. rendered
verdict that they came to their death by violence,
being hung by parties unknown.
The NEGROES had not been indicted by the Grand
Jury and the citizens feared they would escape
punishment
No one attempted to interfere with the mob, who
broke in two doors with sledge hammers and
chisels; but the Sheriff unlocked the third, seeing
he could not keep them out.