The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-11-22
LYNCH LAW In IOWA.
Hanging of Reuben Proctor by a Mob at
Indianola
from the Des Moines Register.l

from the Des Moines Register.]
Reuben Proctor, the man suspected OF
shooting Miss Caaigan in Belmont,
Warren county, was taken from jail at
lndlanola to the nearest Justice to the
scene of the crime for examination. A
large crowd had gathered when the
Sheriff and prisoner arrived, and it was
evident there was trouble brewing. At the
opening of the court it was reported that
the girl was but just alive. when it was
suggested that the court adjourn to the
house to take her dying declaration. To
this strong objection was made by the
crowd, accompanied with hurried consul
tations among them, but finally the crowd
consented on pledge of the court and
officers that Proctor should be brought
back, and the prisoner was taken before
Miss Cadlgan and identified as one of
the three masked men who attempted to
rob her fathers house, and by one of
whom she was shot while ejecting him
from the house. She had known Proc
tor several years, and he passed the
house every day. She knew his dress,
walk, and voice. He had frequently
visited the house within few weeks, and
at each visit was peculiarly anxious to find
out whether he had sold his farm, hogs
and grain, and how much he got for
them, if he got the money. etc. On the
night Of the attack man walked into
the house with q mask on, and, without
q word, drew pistol and pointed it at
her. She sprung to him, caught the pis-
tol, and pushed it down, when it was
discharged, and the ball entered her
right breast. She tore off the mask and
found the mans face blackened, so she
did not recognize him. She pushed him
outdoors, when he fired again, the ball
entering her hand. AS he went out the
door another man outside said: Chow
do you like that?" and that man was
Reuben Proctor. At the close of her
deposition, the court started back, and.
when about half way, was met by q
crowd OF about 800, led by two men
with ropes over their shoulders. Sur
rounding the prisoner, they returned to
the Justices Office, where other evidence
was taken corroborating Miss Carigan's
testimony, and fixing the crime on
Proctor, until court adjourned to supper.
After supper the Sheriff was notified
that he would have to surrender Proctor.
The Sheriff attempted to resist, when
rope was thrown over Proctor's neck, the
crowd closed in around him, keeping
back the officers, and Ae was run across
the street, the rope thrown over a cross
beam of pair of scales, and he was
quickly run up. After he had hung
about fifteen minutes, the leader of the
vigilantes told them they could dispense
until called out again. He made o
speech, which was responded to by a
citizen, who rendered thanks for the
work they had done. Proctor's body
was taken down and an inquest held, the
verdict being that he came to his death
by hanging by unknown men. Proctor
spoke not word. Not one of the crowd
were masked. No attempt was made at
disguise. The work was done openly
and emphatically. Proctor was Is years
old, and one of the worst men in the
country. Two brothers are in the peni-
tertiary, and all have been Identified
with murder, robbery and various crimes
for years, until the indignant people
could bear no more, and are determined
to rid the country of all sueh.