The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-03
JUDGE LYNCH VIOLENCE.
Prom the Chicago Tribune. Oct. SOL

A. PROM the Cnlcago AriDune Oct. cUI
KEoKUK. Iowa. Oct 20. 1879.
The case of Bill Young whose trial for the murder
Of Lewis Spencer and his four children near Luray
Clark county. No.. in 1877 which closed ct Kahoks
on Saturday last, and resulted in o verdict Of not
guilty. eliminated to-day in resort to mob violence.
There was strong circumstantial evidence against
Young. but the prosecution was greatly weakened
by the asco OF detective Lano in attempting to
count for the bloody overalls. Although acquitted
majority Of the people Of Clark county were con-
vinccd of his guilt, and. however much they may
deprecate lynch law 1t is safe to that the public
ut largo who had read tho evidence shared this
opinion. 1t was not known or even suspected out
side OF Clark county. however. that any move would
be made to execute summary punishment
On SUNDAY M Afternoon fonn 1 was married as IA
engaged before his arrest and who has been in this
section for the past four months assisting him in
Monday evening aud remained here until this morn
ing, when they left for Young's homo near Luray.
night mob numbering 100 to 200 men assembled
north of Kahoka. and was waiting there this morn
ing when the train passed. Finding that Young
went on to his home. they followed on horseback
and in wagons, and after his arrival there
rounded his house aud demanded his surrender.
Young. who accompanied by J. G. Goldman. OF
Toledo one of his attorneys, refused to surrender
and opened fire on the mob but without effect.
Shots were exchanged and firing was KEEP mp until
Young was wounded. Eight mon then forced their
way into the house, took Young ont and hanged him
until he was dead. The most intense excitement
pIoNolS. uuu IL lmpOsslDlo No yet 70 OOtuAo Tue
particulars.
The mob that hanged Bill Young is variously esti-
mated at two hundred and nifty to nye hundred:
They met ut Lincoln College, noar Kahoka. last
night, voted to carry their purpose into execution
and arranged all the details. 1t part OF the
plan to take Young from the train on its arrival at
Kahoka, but the man who sent to this city to
notify them of his movements delayed sending hts
cesaed with great taste to Turay distance Of tan
miles, Upon their arrival there Young had reached
his homo and two ladies had callei on Mrs. Young.
ffrn1 thaeu ThA a.1x flux6a
house and demanded that all but Young come out
Coffman and tho two ladies-but Young kept his
wife and children with him. Firing was soon
opened and for time q perfect voley was kept up.
Young's mode Of defence TO open tho door. hro
into the crowd and dodge back: the crowd returning
the IRE whenever he made his appearance This
was kept up until Young received four wounds and
fell to the floor, bleeding and exhausted. The mob
then piled hay around the house and wcre about to
FIRE 1t. when Young's children running out.
claiming. Father is killed." squad of men then
entered the house. placed him in wagon. ran IL
and placed rope about his neck.
Young called for the picture OF his first wife and
kissed It very additionally. He also called for De-
tective Lane, who shook hands with him. Two Of
tho mon wrote for Young q short biography OF hts
life. Tho mob then formed in line in tho yard. and
Lane selected from the number nine men TO hang
Young. -Four mon carried him TO tue orchard gate
way near the house. he praying in very supplicat-
Young was placed in wagon. with his feet and
hands tied and allowed time in which TO make
statement. He said he had madc written statement
agreeing to assist In ferreting the Spencer
dcrers, and given the same Hanson ard Johnson.
He then indulgcd in q rambling talk. probably for
the sake OF gaining timc.
The crowd Yelled THAT Ia not what wo want;
tell us who assisted you in the murder Of tho
Spencers." His last words were, 81 am innocent
OF that crime as the angels In hcavon."
At four o'clock the moose was adjusted aud the
wagon pulled out. The body swayod back and forth
until lite was wholly extinct. In twenty minutes
tho crowd mounted their horses and rode away. As
they were departing. Mrs. Young came out Of the
house crying and wringng her hands, and begged
them to cut Young down. which was refused.
Young's gunshot wounds we're not serious.
After Cofman came out Of the house ho was locked
mp In the granary.
1t is said that the mob was composed of good citi-
zcns OF Clark county. There werc few from Iowa.
The sentiment Of the people is divided. Some APP
prove the action OF the mob openly. Others are
not sorry Young In out OF the way. but do not In
dorse this summary method Of disposing OF him,
while his friends Icgard it ~ dastarsly outrage.