Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-10-15
Lynch Law In Illinois.

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.,, October |.
The most bloody and exciting tragedy in the
history of this (McLean) County occurred here
this evening. About half-past six o'clock Ted
Franks, the jailer, was shot and killed by d
prisoner, named Charles Pierce, alias Hewlett,
incarcerated for horse-stealing. The jailcr
went into the jail to change the prisoner from
one cell to another. Tho iailer had revolver,
32-caliber, in his hip-pocket, and no coat on.
He went to unlock the cell.door, when the
prisoner seized the revolver and shot the jailer
in the back. The jailer then turned around,
and was shot in the shoulder. The prisoner
fred third shot, and the ball pierced Franks
heart, going clear through the body, killing
him instantly. The other prisoners seized
the murderer and prevented him from es-
Gaping, and wrested the revolver from him.
News of the murder spread like wild-fire,
and cries of vengeance were soon heard
from the knots Of men about tho streets.
by eight the Jail was entirely surrounded
by at least five thousand men, women and
boys, every one demanding the blood Of the
murderer The Sheriff and police summoned
a strong force to guard the Jail, and did
all in their power; but at nine o'clock mob
Of bowling men gained entrance, after nearly
tearing down the jail For over an hour the
mob worked enthusiastically and madly. amid
the yells, screams and cheers Of the lockers
on. When they had forced the inner iron
doors in they put rope around the murder
er's neck, and dragged him out through the
wild crowd to locust tree near by, at the
corner of Market and Center streets. In
q few minutes he was dangling in the air, a
lfeless corpse. The shIieks aud groans of the
victim of mob violence could be heard while
he was being dragged remorselessly to the
tired; but his cries were drowned in loud
cheers and yes of Hang him" "Lynch
him! The widest excitement prevailed.
Some of the best citizens were in the front.
Business men cheered and encouraged the
lynchers, and women cheered and waved
handkerchiefs when tho hope was strongest
that Patsey Devine charged with the murder
of Aaron Goodfellow in 1879, now prisoner
in jail, would be lynched, too; but the mob
dispersed without touching him. though tho
feeling was very strong.
When the murderer was raised the first time
Officer Bailey of the police force, imperiled
his life by running in and cutting the rope,
letting the body fall. Attempting TO repeat
this act OF bravery he came near being killed.
Jailer Franks was noble man and a good
citizen, liked by all. He had lived here over
twenty years and his death Is universally la
mented throughout the city. Pierce stole u
horse and buggy here few weeks ago, and
was captured at Jacksonville, where he is
known as a bad man. He was only twenty
years old, of medium size, smooth face and
brown hair, with bad countenance. After
han2ing on the tree thirty minutes ana hav-
ing been seen by thousands of people, the
body of the murderer was cut down and taken
possession of by the Coroner.
The decision Of the Supreme Court giving
Patsey Devine anew trial was received here
yesterday, and exasperated the people, they
believing he had fair trial This certainly
caused intense excitement this evening. Cries
Of Justice and courts a farceP' were frequent
ly he ird during the excitement and II is gem
orally believed that the decision was partially
the cause Of the people taking this matter ~
to their own hSnds.