The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-08-02
LYNCH LAW.
The Murder Of the Postmaster Of
Polk City Avenged in a
Terrible Manner.
The Surviving Assassin Taken
From the Jail at Harlan
and Killed,
The Body Of the Wretch Riddled With
Bullets and Then Flung Into
River.

River.
THE last act in the Polk City tragedy was
enacted at Harlan, the county scat Of
Shelby county, and the life Of the assassin,
Hardy, paid the penalty for his completely
IN the Clingan murder. correspondent
furnishes the following partic ulars OF the
lynching:
At 3 O'clock n IN. that place was
startled by the Intelligence that mob had
forced its way into the jail and hung the
prisoner who was held for the Ciingan muir
der. The men were all masked, and their
number, as near us could be estimated, was
about atty. The men rode from the direc-
ton Of Marne, and were all mounted They
went quietly, and were evidently organized
and wurking under the direction OF q leader
with q prearranged plan. When they ar
rived ut a grove mile south OF town, they
tied their horses and proceeded on foot to
the jail They were well equipped for the
work being provided with ropes and
sledges. evidently expecting to obtain for
ciD.e en- rance into the Jail When they arrived
ut the city they entered The residence Of the
jai er, tied him securely with ropes and
then compelled his wife to give them the
keys with which they opened the doors
and obtained IN entrance to Hardy coll.
They then dragged the wretch out, and hung
him to tree near the Jail Considerable ex-
element was manifest among tlem at this
time, and the murderer was violently
handled After he had been hanged num-
Der OF rhots were fired into his body, which
was then cut down and thrown INTO the
river. Sheriff Chatburn afterward obtained
possession OF the remains. After the mob
had finished their bloody work they re-
turned to their horses and quietly rode away.
1t il supposed that part Of the men who did
the hanging are Il ON Polk City. Some in
cline To the opinion that the mob was from
the vicinity Of Harlan
Batna, where they tied their horses, ABOUT :
clock. The number was yariously es-
timated ut from tn rty five to 100 They
moved with a regularity which plainly
showed that the whole affair had been care
fully arranged and that the mob was under
the leadership of cool and determined
man. TN their way to the Jail they marched
wi h military precision When they arrived
Mt the Jail, guards were posted out, and then
Deputy Watkins was awakened and de-
mand made for the keys lie refused to de-
and the mob went d rectly to Hardys cell
When the cell was entered Hardy held up
with wonderful courage and showed no fear
No time was spent lnparieying. rope was
thrown around his neck and his hands tied
beh nd him securely. After the cell doors
eeeded in regular order, With
the prisoner under Il strong
guard 1t is supposed that he was
hung from the bridge at Chatburn's mills,
at the crowd which followed the mob found
the body liddled VITA bullets in the river
below the bridge ut the mil Tue town wds
awakened by the ringing Of the fire-bells
and the volleys from the reyolyers OF the
mob. When the body was found, the rope
was \ i'll on his neck The commander Of
the mob was not masked wien he APP
preached the Jail He gave command to
the guards, and in a moment all the avenues
leading toward the building were guarded
and the Jail surrounded The jailer refused
to give up the keys, and the leader thrust
revolver in his face. saying that instant
dea'h would be the result of disobedience OF
another request Then the prisoner was
secured and led out The command was
given to fall in, and the line closed around
the doomed man, and deliberately marched
of. The deputy jailer then fired revolv
er to give the alarm, and the jailer rushed
uptown Nh. Brown heard the shots and ran
toward the Jail. He met the taller and cut
the cords from his wrists The fire alarm
was then rung arousing the whole city, hut
firing I'm the distance told that the work was
done. The prise ner's neck was broken, and
twelve bullet-holes were found in his body,
which was sunk in the river The mob
came in carriages and on horseback. and
after finishing the work calmly rode to the
southeast
The editor of the Harlan Republican, who
was awake and who Immediately left his
room, well assured what was ON foot, gives
the following account:
About 10 clock Mrs. Watkins thought she
heard some one prowling around the jail.
and Deputy Sheriffs George Bennett and
Walk ms went on Il search but discovered
nothing. They went to rest again. but
about !. o'clock the jail was surrounded by 9
lyxl her u
eighty, who entered the Jail. oyerpowered
Watkins, and tied him with cord Then
til y took the KEYS from Mrs. Watkins and
opened the cell in which the prisoner was
and took him out. little noise being made.
During this, Deputy Bennett hurried up
stairs, and as soon as the mob went
off with the prisoner he fired several ahots,
which aroused the neighbors. Henry Ash,
the night-watch, rang the fire bell,
which brought out crowd OF
men. who generally seemed bewildered
The mob with Hardy in the meantime rap
idly made their way toward the bridge
across the Batna by Judge Cnatbnrn's mill
a few squares away. They probably thought
of hanging Hardy on the way down, tor
large tree in front Of Mr.. Hartmans house
was broken down, and about half OF them
stopped by the tree while the rest went
towal d the Jail Then those who went away
came back and the whole crowd started
/ toward the Jail Passing Judge Chatburn't
house they did not waken anyone until they
commenced firing shots near and on the
bridge This aroused the occupants at
Chatburn's, who speedily got up, but
before t4ey could see anything the
mob had completed their work and gone.
A few persons who went to the bridge
turned back, saying Hardy was not to be
found. II was soon surmised that he nad
either been shot or hanged and thrown into
the water, and probably foated down the
stream. j. II Weeks ti(vesting himself OF
of his clothes, waded two or three times
across the stream below the bridge. without
results. He soon exclaimed: Here he Is
The spectators made rush for the east
side, and Sheriff Chatburn drew him out OF
the water and, with the help of others,
carried him up to the bank Hardy't
hands were found to be tied behind him,
with a strong cord A rope had been around
his neck Eleven shots were fired into his
body, ten of which went into his back be
tween his shoulders, and one went into hil
breast near the heart 1t cannot be told
whether he was first shot and then hanged
or vice versa. hut certain 1t is the job va,
done with vengeance. The corpse pre-
scented CHASTITY and horrible sight whel
dragged out into the wierd moonlight, ant
evidence to the agony he must have en-
dured while on the way to the scene Of the
execution The prisoner was dressed in hi
shirt, pants and pair Of socks.
Iowa Items.
JrsT iifty nine pairs Of hearts wer
blended into welded singleness in Poll
/ = rs