American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-10-15
d. w. BLISS,
J. X. BARNES,
]. j. WOODWARD,
ROpEIT REYBCRN,
n &. T,ANR
The Recent LynchIng Mt Bloomington,
Ill.

BLooMISGToN, ILL.,, October l.
The most bloody and exciting tragedy in the
history of this (McLean) County occurred here
this evening. About hnlf past six O'Clock Ted
Franks, the jailer, was shot and killed by a
prisoner, named Charles Pierce, alias Hewlett,
incarcerated for horses ealing. The jailer
went into the jail to change The prisoner from
one cell to another. The jailer had revolver,
32-caliber, In his hp-pocket, and no coat on.
He went to unlock the cell or. when the
prisoner seized the revolver and shot the jailer
in the back The jaiIer then turned around.
and was shot III the shoulder. The prisoner
fred a third shot. and the ball pierced Franks
heart, going clear through tho body, killing
him instantly. The other prisoners seized
the murderer and proven ted him from cs-
Gaping, and wrestcd 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 the 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. Tie Sheriff and police summoned
a strong force to guard the jail and did
all in their power; but at nine o'clock a mob
Of bowling men gained entrance, after nearly
tearing down the Jail For over an hour the
mob worked enthusiastically and madiy. amid
the yeils, screams and cheers of the lOoxcrs-
on. When they Rad forced the inner iron
doors in they put a rope around the murder
er's neck, and dragged him out through the
wild crowd to a locust tree near by, at the
corner of Market and Center sire is. In
a few minutes he was dangling in the air, a
Hfeless corpse: The shrieks and groans of the
victim of mob violence could be heard while
he was being dragged remorselessly to the
tree; but his cries were drowned in loud
cheers and yells Of Hang himr' Lynch
him. TIE widest excitement prevailed.
Some of the best citizens were in the front.
Business men cheered and encouraged the
lynchers, and women cheered and waved
handk erchiefs when the hope was strongest
that Patsey Deyine charged with the murder
of Aaron Goodfellow in 1873, now a prisoner
in Jail. would be Iynched, 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 a noble man and a good
citizen. liked by all. He had lived here over
twenty years. and his death is universallv Ia
mented throughout the city. Pierce stole a
horse and buggy hero a few weeks ago, and
was captured at Jacksonville. where he is
known as bad man. He was only twenty
years old, of medium size. smooth face and
brown hair, with n bad countenance. After
hanging on the tree thirty minutes, and 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 q new trial was received here
yesterday, and exasperated the people, they
believing he had a fair trial This certainly
caused intense excitement this evening. Cries
of Justice and courts farce-' were FIRE 1uent-
ly heard during the excitement, and it is gen
orally believed that the decision was partially
the cause of the people taking this matter in
TO their own hands.