The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-10-14
BLOOMINGTON, ILL, Octot

BLOOMuNGTON, Ill, OCTOBER i.
The most bloody and exciting tragedy In the
history of this (McLean) County occurred hero
this evening About halfpast six o'clock Ted
Franks, the jailer, was shot and killed oy
prisoner, named Charles Pierce, alias Hewlett,
for horse-stealing. The jailer
went into the Jail to change the prisoner from
one cell to another. The TALLER had revolver,
3s-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 a 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-dre,
and cries Of vengeance were soon heard
from the knots OF men about the streets.
Nv eight the Jail was entirely surrounded
bv 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 Lladly, 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 q locust tree near by, at the.
corner of Market and Center streets. In
q few minutes he was dangling In the air, a.
ifeless corpse The shrieks and gloans of the
victim Of mob violence could be heard while
| he was being dragged remorselessly to the
| tree; but his cries were drown ID in loud.
cheers and yells Of Hang himr' 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 the 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 the
| feeling was very strong.
| When the murderer was raised the first time
Omcer Bailey. of the police force, imperiled
his life by running in and cuttinif the rope.
letting the body fall Attempting to repeat
this act of bravery he came near bSing killed.
Jailer Franks was Q noble man and . good
citizen. liked by all He had lived here over
twenty years, and his death Is universally II
Rsnted throughout the city. Pierce stole g
horse and buggy here few weeks ago. and q
known % bad man. He was only twenty
years old, Of medium size. smooth face and
brown hair, with q bod countenance. After
hanaing 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.
J The decision Of the Supreme Court giving
, Patsey Devine anew trial was received here
yesterday. and exasperated the people, they
believing he had Q fair trial This certainly
caused intense excitement this evening. Cries
| Of Justice and courts farrell! were frequent
, II heard during the excitement, and Il 10 ron
: eIally believed that the decision was partially
the cause Of the people taking this matter IN
to their own hand.