The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-18
LYNCH LAW IN KENTUCKY.
THE FULL PARTICUL4RS or THE HANG
ING or PETER KLEIN


NeNp"FN w ~ Hh"W Ta"s's''
C1Nc1NNAT1 March 17.-Peter Klein, who
assaulted Mrs. Carrie Truslell in the High
lands about three miles back Of Newport ny.
last Friday a week ago was lynched there last
evening at about o'clock. Klein was tramp.
and called at Mrs. Trusdel's while her hus-
band who is a farmer was absent from tho
house. He asked her for drink Of water and
while she was getting 1t he struck her on the
head and then kicked her in the stomach. He
next dragged her into an adjoining room,
where the criminal assault was committed
Aiterward he tied her to u sofa and the foot OF u
bed Then he took her husbands gold watch
and chain and some other valuables and quit
the house. About two hours afterwnrd Mrs.
Trusdell's husband returned and learned from
his wife's lips Of the horrible crime The alarm
was at onco given. and the country was secured
far and near for the miscreant
On Saturday Klein wus arrested in this city,
and after being locked up In the Central station
he confessed that he had assaulted Mrs. 7 rus
dell, but said he did not know what made him
do IT, He was turned over To the NEWPORT nu-
thorites in the evening and at once lodted IN
that IL recognized by Mrs. Trusdell he would be-
hanged, no special Efforts were, made to keep
deed. 1t would have been difficult To do So
All day yesterday the crowd surrounding tha
jail was IA large one. and II was generally UNDER
stood that Klein would be hanged Mt nightfall.
At about "a o'clock u crowd OF $50 armed men
from the Highlands came into Newport. and.
marching to the Jail demanded Klein. The
lailer refused them admission. Then the other
/ door 81 the jail was forced, and the keys taken
from the lHiler. Klein WIS taken out OF his cell
| and halter was put around his neck. Then he
was marched through the'tnwn out to the II igh-
lands A blinding snow storm was prevailing
at the time. Nevertheless tho procession WAS
] witnessed 10y over ten thousand persons only
one OF whom. the Mayor. mad the slightest at
! tempt Ia dissunde the mob from its purpose.
Tho Mayor WINS Knocked down Tor his pains
aud the procession continued its line of march.
| Arrived at the home Of Mrs. Trusdrll. Klein
| was nj once confronted with his victim. He
! held his hat in his hand. She requested him to
put 4 on. --.--
and then you can see better" said he.
Tru-dell.
| , Yes" said Mrs. Trusdell. and he knows
| that he is"
That was sufficient. Klein wns Mt once taken
! outside To- the moi in waiting who hurried him
| into IN open. buggy and then 10 a tree. II was
too close to a fence to suit the purpose. Another
was sele tod. and while thu rope was being last
encd to it, stoutcst limb. Klein WAS told to pray.
Tut he declined He was then urged 10 make a
clean confession: this he said lr would not do
because the outrage was committed hy another
man hut addict that he knew OF IL. The crowd
leered this assertion. and Klein said That their
manner Of prac"dura WIS not according to
law. " It's the law OF Kentucky wis tho re-.
joinder. and the next moment he WIS pushed
of the buggy and WIS dangling in the air. His
Commissions were horrible, but the crowd
mo'ked az his suilerings, and. seil M bis legs.
pulled and tuggcd NJ them like wild Indians
Others yelled and hootrd NJ him. while still 9th.
ers lighted pans OF red IRE, which they had
brought from the drug stores in Newport.
The lurd glare refi cted upon the snow-clad
trees. and. as the snow was falling. made n pic
ture OF ghHstl ness never to he forgotten 10y thos,
VINO saw Il. Several bullets were fired into hi,
body; and aiterward IL was turned round ant
round. that all might see him die; the effect WA
terrible As his neck was not broken. II WIS full
fifteen minutes before he ceased 10 struggle.