Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-11-28
ANGRY xzN WAITING THEIR CHANCE.

and were ordered to sit down by the
Sheriff. They did not obey, bu,
moved toward the prisoner, mutter
ing. He was taken out the rear door,
which was Immediately locked, and
the Deputy Sheriff announced: INC
man leaves the court room for five
minutes"
When the people were liberated
Melting was safe in Jail and behind
strong iron bars Crowds of people
hung about Fowler all the afternoon,
and towards evening it was whisper
ed about that there was to be q lynch
ing. Sheriff Scanlan summoned a
large posse and when during the night
bowling mob surrounded the Jail
and demanded the prisoner, the Sher
if was ready for them. 1t was an
exciting night. Several attempts
were made to get at Nelling, but all
attempts were repulsed and the mob
was finally obliged to withdraw
There WAS an understanding, howev-
er, that the affair should moi be al
lowed to drop, and ever since lot OF
enraged men have quietly been await
ing an opportunity. That opportu
nifty came last night.
Never for q moment has public
opinion of Nellings act slumbered,
and this morning, Just after midnight,
the general desire for revenge culmi-
mated in q well organized and sue
cesful lynching Very few affairs Of
the kind have been more carefully
planned or so coolly executed.
TIE IyNCHING GATHERING.
About 1890 o'clock lone horse
man was seen riding into town. He
rode completely around the Court
Mouse and iail and seemed to be tax
ing a survey OF things, after which
he rode away again. Two or three
people who happened to be on the
street saw it was rather q curious
action, but the idea that he was a
scout for party of lynchers never
seems to have suggested itself until
in about an hour after, three hun
dred masked men rode into town.
They hitched their horses, posted
guards to warn away citizens and
went to the east door of the Jail,
where they soon found an entrance
by breaking down the door with
sledges. Then they quietly but with
great determination proceeded to
break the iron doors leading to the
corrodors. This took some time
half an hour. Finally, however, the
doors gave way under their sturdy
strokes. Melting heard the grstings
give way and we'll knew the purpose
of the mob. He dressed himself and,
when the last cell door was forced,
met the mob at the door.
lis your name Jacob Melting -
demanded the leader.
"That is my name, said Nelling.
I'VE are after you, said the leader.
Il am ready" responded Melting.
Five men lifted him into . buggy
in waiting and the whole party then
started towards Oxford. The old
fellow took the matter coolly. He
made no resistance nor outcry. The
only remark he made was: $50 a lit
tie slow, gentlemen, am older than
some of you" On the way to Ok
ford, however, he weakened and beg.
ged for mercy, but was told tha. if
he made the least outcry he would
be treated to a much crueler fate than
that of hanging. When the band
got within half mile of Oxford Nell
ing was asked if he had anything to
say and replied by making a plea for
his life. Only about fifty citizens
gathered there and they were held
back by masked men while the lead
ers drove Melting under tree. The
rope was quickly thrown over limb
and two men placed the moose around
the old mans neck. In doing this
the collar he wore was torn off An
other attempt to make him recite the
story of the murder was of no avail.
"Were you ever implicated in any
other crime!" asked the leader.
mo, sir, answered Melting.
'.Did you kill Ada Atkinson, Nell
ing
Il did, captain"
''Have you any statement to make
as to your last testimony"
No, sir"
Have you any statement to make
in regard to your motive for killing
that girl?"
mo, sir
Drive under"
The wagon was driven from under
the tree and Nelling was left hang
ing. He died with hardly struggle.
The band then dispersed quietly.