The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-10-08
JUDGE LYNCH IN OHIO.
The Summary Execution by Mob OF
James W. shell. at Bellefontstne, OHIO
a Horrible Crime and the Puni- h
ment of Its perpetrntor.


Especial Dispatch 10 the Chicago Tribune
Columns, o., Sept. 25.-lour read
ers have seen in the Associated Press
and special dispatches an account of the
horrible manner in which Miss Allie
Laughlin, the daughter of a highly-re-
spected and well-to-do farmer in Logan
County. this State, met her death the
other dav al the hands Of James W.
Shell. tenant on Mr. Laughlin's farm.
When the people Of Bellefontaine and
vicinity became acquainted, through the
testimony Of Mrs. Shell and otherwise,
with All the details Of Shells heinous
crime. their just Indignation scarcely
knew any bounds. and, soon after Shells
Judgement in Jail Thursday night, il be-
came evident from the demonstrations
If the populace that he would be
dangling between heaven and earth be-
fore the next day.
On Yesterday the sturdy farmers be-
gan 70 assemble in Bellefontaine. and at
8 o'clock d. m. the town was full Of eX-
element, and evidently with one idea
a. to what ought to be done. During
the evening groups of men stood around
the streets conyersing quietly and IN
firm tones of the situation There was
no BRAG, no BLUSTER, AND NO WHISKY.
The 10 O'Clock train from the south
brought about hundred men from
along the road, and about / o'clock
the most active participants went to a
brick kiln in the outskirts Of the town,
and organized in four companies Of
about twenty-five men each. The COM
panies and the men were all numbered.
For masks they hand handkerchiefs
tied across the lower half OF the face.
and some had their coats turned inside
out. and their hats slOuched over their
eyes. Company carried an iron rail
taken from some switch, and the pro-
cession marched stcrnly and quietly
through the principal street Of the town
TO the Courthouse, turned down the
street Immediately south Of il. and so
round in front Of the Jail, which is in the
rear Of the Courthouse. Here they
came to a halt, and man who acted as
leader stepped up to the Jail door,
Knocked on ii. and called "Mr. Sheriff, y
in loud voice three times. No answer
being elected, he turned round 70 the
quietly -watching crowd and said
COMPANY ONE, DO YOUR DrTYl'
Company One advanced, carrying the
rail: in quick succession they delivered
series Of battering-ram blows, which
no door could long Withstand, and soon
forced il from its hinges. With cold
chisels and sledge- hammers they hewed
path to the cell where the doomed
man lay. In about twenty-five minutes
from the time when they had burst in
the outer door. the leader appeared at
the entrance, and announced To the eX-
pectant crowd We've got him and will
bring him out and make him confess
this and other crimes" The announce
ment was received by the populace with
stern demonstrations Of approval, and
after a moments delay, the Committee
appeared with their prisoner. Emerg-
ing from the Jail, they took up their line
Of march back round the Courthouse.
Proceeding to the south corner Of the
fence, they reached large tree whose
bourhs. stretched out over the street,
were destined to bear such unnatural
| fruit. In the twinkling Of an eye. a
long rope, with moose attached, was
produced from some hiding-place, and
! the moose put round Shells neck. A dry
/ goods box was pushed forward, ana on
this
IMPRoMPTU sCAFFoLD
Shell took his stand for his last ten min
utcs Of life. As he stood there facing
his exccutioners, with the Pickering
light Of kerosene lamp playing over
his features, his bearing was singularly
stolid and impassive. lie was q bad
looking man, with his dark eyes and
hair. and black mustache and beard.
lie was dressed in loose. dark sack
coat, waistcoat, and black plush cap
turned up at the ends. H. was OF me-
dunn height, and compact, strongly
knit frame. Some disposition was man
Tested TO run eim up at once, but calm
or counsels prevailed, and his self-con-
stituted Judges informed him briefly that
he had a few moments to live, and in