The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-05-09
QUICK. RGrRIBu1los.

rha Medicine Lodge Bank Robbers and
Mur.ierers Pursued. Captured and
Lynched.
KANSAS CITY, May IA special to the
Times from Harper, Kas., says: The terri
BILE tragedy at Medicine Lodge yesterday,
caused by the attempted robbery Of the
Barber County bank, had a terrible sequel
last night, when the four robbers and muir
derers were lynched by the excited popu-
lace, who followed them from the bank i'm
mediately after the killing of Mr.. Geppert,
the Cashier, and mortal wounding of Mr..
PAYNE, the President There has been
great excitement at this point since the news
of the tragedy arrived by courier, and this
morning humber of citizens went to Medi-
cine Lodge 20 view for themselves the scene
of the unfortunate and cowardly killing and
to take part in the pursuit and punishment
of the robbers il their assistance was needed
Long before they reached the seat of action,
however, the four men who had planned the
attack npon the bank, which resulted in the
death of Mr.. Geppert, had been tried, found
guilty and executed by Judge Lynch, and
the verdict of the entire southern section Of
Kansas is that they only received -
THEIR JUST DUES.
The latest particulars of the attempted rob
berry 90 to show that the affair was planned
several days since at Harper, or some point
east or south, and it was the work of the
four men who SO quickly paid the penalty
of their crime. Their names are Henry
Brown, at one time Marshal of Caldwell,
Kas ; Ben Wheeler, ex-Assistant Marshal Of
the same place: John Wesley. noted cow
boy, desperate and dead shot, and William
Smith, by occupation cowboy. They
reached Medicine Lodge some time on Tues
day, but did not shol themselves together
until just before the attack. The streets
during Wednesday were almost deserted in
consequence of the heavy rain which had
been falling since early morning. Watch
ing their opportunity the four men ap-
preached the bank few minutes past ten
o'clock, and while two OF. them entered the
remaining two staid outside. At the
time the Cashier and President were alone.
A third party who had been tranSacting
some business, passing on. as the rob
bers entered. Mr.. Geppert looked up as
the men came into the bank, and when
ordered to throw up his hands, turned and
tried to reach his revolver, but was instantly
killed by one of the men. supposed to have
been Wesley. Mr.. Payne was also shot
through the body and fell to the floor, and
promiscuOus firing ensued. The first init
nation any one had of the trouble was the
report of pistol shots and cowboy ye!ls in
the bank, which was taken up by the two
outside, who yelled and fired prDmiscuOusly.
This quickly drew a crowd, who
RETURNED TIE FIRE
with spirit, making it so hot that the rob
MI W
started for the Indian Territory. Instantly
the citizens began arming for pursuit, first
ten. then fifty and finally hundred TAX
ing the saddle. The chase was short. how
ever, as the pursued became convinced that
flight was useless and so made
stand on the hill three miles
west of the town. Here they
were surrounded and a lively skirmish en-
sued until nearly two o'clock, when finding
themselves completely surrounded and their
ammunition gone the robbers held up their
hands and surrendered. Upon being brought
to town they were heavily ironed and placed
in jail under strong guard, but the sight of
the murdered Cashier and dying President
so eXasperated the citizens that it was seen
that nothing short of a genuine necktie
party would satisfy them. After waiting
a few hours the crowd began to gather at
the jail and demand was made for the
men. This was refused by the officers, but
the crowd would not be put off,
and suddenly move was made
upon the Jail, tie guard OverpOwered,
the doors broken open, and wild
rush made for the cells holding the trem-
bling prisoners, who fully realized that their
hour had come. Wesley had in some way
concealed revolver about his person, and
as the mob approached the cell he opened
fire, but was almost instantly
RIDDLED WITH BULLETS.
and fell dead with a dozen bullets in his
body. II was an easy matter to force the
cell doors, and ropes being produced, the
remaining three men were led out and
nooses placed about their necks. They
were then half dragged to a small grove a
short distance from town and hanged to sep
arate trees. Two of them.d died game, but the
third begged for mercy and asked that he
might be shot instead of hung. His execution
ers had no mercy, however, and he was
hung with the the Others. Before the lynch
ing all of the men We're recognized, and
Wesley was identified as a well-known des-
peradO and one Of the best shots in the
State. By his resistance at the Jail he Inc.
death more speedily and cvadCd the halter.
Before deash the men admitted
nothing and offered no excuse. Geppert,
the cashier, was shot in the head
and breast, dying instantly. Mr.. Payne was
shot in the lett breast, just above the heart,
and is reported dying. He was proprietor
of the Under, and one of the wealthest men
in this section. The robbers had with them
wire cutters and powder with which to blow
up the safe had they obtained the chance.
Not dollar was taken from the bank, how
ever.