Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-07-02
u ~Lynching.

4 Double Lynchlmg.
PEARsoN AND SApLER TAKEN Our
OF JAN AT SPRINGFIELD AND
HAyGED-THE SHERIFF OVER,
POWERED BY a MOB ONE Hun
DRIED STRONG.
Nashville Amerieau.I
SPRINeFIELD, TENN. June 90
The mob which entered town this
morning at ] O'Clock and took from
Jail Pearson and SLdler, the alleged
ravisPers Of Mrs. Groves, May l6,
Rear Mitchellsyille, Immediately
gallnDed off in an easterly direction.
Shortly after daylight. a report came
IA that the b1dies Of TIE two men
we're swinging from a tree, about
three miles from town. Every posi-
bic means Of conveyance was pressed
into service, numbers proceeded to
the spot on foot, and the remains
were viewed by hundreds. They
hung from the same limb, about two
feet apart, and most touching the
ground. The rope used vas an old
greasy pillow line, which a few more
pounds of weight would have broken.
The !ynchers had evidently held the
men up in their arms while the rope
was tied. then letting them hang un-
Ill strangled to death. No marks of
violence we're found on their persons
except those caused by the stFangu-
lation. The mob staid until COM
pletely satisfied that the men we're
dead. Some of them we're seen just
before daylight this morning. about
eight miles from town, on their way
home Nothing is known of what
occurred at the lyneEing, whether the
men confessed or not.
The delivery at the Jail was an
easy affair, Sheriff j. S. Jones, who
is also Jailer, had been out in the
country, and returned about dark
Although there had been rumOrs in
town that an attempt would be made
Ia lynch Pearson and Sadler, that
night. little credence was given them,
the general sentiment being hat the
men were not in imminent danger
and that the law would take its
course. It had not been considered
necessary even to take extra precau-
tiuns. The mob came dashing in at
J O'Clock, and quickly surrounded
the Jail. Pickets were thrown out in
all directions. w. w. Eckles, D. A.
Pauye and others bad been led by s
the reports to stay up and watch for ]
the mob. When The lynchers came,
they gave the alarm. which was heard :
BY only Il few citizens. Some en-
deavored to get nea the Jail, through !
curiosity, but were stopped by the !
and warned to keep a a dis I
lance. as they had undertaked the '
Job and needed no help. |
The mob WAS thoroughly prepared I
fn" any emergency. They commenced h
breaking down the door Of Sheriff $
reoidence. threatening his life 4,
f he persisted in his refusal to give :
up the keys. He and his brother, "
who were the only persons there. re- "
as long as possible, but Were t
compelled finally to yield. Mr.. Jones I
to intimidate them by saying he n
some of the party, but they 7
merely replied that he was q id u
After obtaining the keys, they Il
ried TO force Sheriff Jones TO unlock Fl
he d lOrs. but he positively refused q
they then appointed q guard to pre- h
'ent the escape Of any OF the prison =.
while others went in to secure .
'earsOn and Sadlcr. After q little q
earch the two me were recognized 1t
md dragged forth. Pearson touching n
V appealed to the poweTless Jailer for +.
,rotection. Sadler said nothing =
hey were mounted behind two of the Il
yncheTs, and tue whole party gal u
oped of. None of the party were Ii
although 20 attempt was OF
made at Disguise. a.
From the time of their arrest, Pear :
on and Sadler stoutly maintained !"
heir innocence, claiming that on trial bC
hey would prove an alihi. The pros al
they laid to feud with the al
iroves family. There was COnsideTa- -
lie doubt as to their guilt. Mrs. m
irOves. however, b ad positively Il
that they were the guilty men, pa
nd most of our citizens believed with bI
er. Lynch law was discOuntenanc- ne
and had they been warned our h.
ItiZens would have protected the Jail. =
Jones is commended for doing pa
that was possible under the cir on
instances. of
The COroner's Jury, after examining -
few witnesses, returned a verdict of =
cath by unknown parties. The
will be cut down and buried I
ear the tree in the same grave. =