Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-04-02
c IIGIIIA7I'S FURIOUS MOB !
Ten Thousand Citizens At
tempt to Lynch a
Murderer.
The Jail Bombardtd With
Cannon.
MEN AND WOMEN KILLED.!

| nv - - - All \. ~ =
| CINCINNATI, March 29-8A. MI
terrible riot occurred here last nigh
caused by the verdict in the Berne
murder case. The whole city is in
state of wild excitement. The mill
tary and police have been on duty al
night, but have been powerless. Las
Monday tire trial Of this case was con
cIHded.
William Bcrner was charged will
the murder of William II. Kirk, I
worthy and most esteemed Citizen
The tragedy occurred over q month
since. Kirk, who was quiet and
inofensive man, and not known to
have an enemy, was missing for two
days. Search was Instituted and bis
body found 10 mill-stream near the
city. His bead was crushed 10, and
there was every evidence that ne had
been robbed and murdered. The
affair caused the most intense excite
ment.
The crime was traced TO Joe Palm.
er and William BcrDer, and they were
arrested. Both confessed the crime
They said they followed Mr.. Kirk tc
bis stable and killed him by striking
him on the head with a hammer
They then robbed him of 800 and
put his body in covered wagon.
which they drove to CummlDgsvll
There they dumped it into the mil
stream where it was found. Threats
of lynching we've made at The tine
and the men were kept under strong
guard.
Soon after their arrest Berner at
tempt to put the actual commission Of
the crime upon Palmer. lie said that
Palmer did the actual murder, while
he only looked on and got share Of
the money. The trial attracted great
attention, the courtroom being
crowded to sufocation. Berner bad
the II os, adroit counsel. The jur!
last Monday returned a verdict in the
case of Berner, finding him guilty oil
manslaughter. The verdict was de.
clared privately by the judge who tried
the case 10 be an outrage, and the jury
we're booted after leaving the court
room and told that they would soor
be hanged.
FIRE AND BLOOD.
CINc1YNATI, ONO, March 30.-Tht
scenes of last night have had no par
allel 10 Cincinnati. Briefly groupeC
they are the burning of the magnif-
cent courthouse, with ali its invrlua-
ble records and splendid law librar.
the killing offs to 100 men, womer
and children, for many children wer'
included in the death list; the wound
log of perhaps $50 persons, the ROBBERY
of a gun store, and the arrival of I'VE
re eimeuts Of militia. The sheriff, whit
is partially in command, has unfor
tunately left the rear OF his position
entirely unprotected. The arrival o
the military by train was delayed til
nearly eleven O'Clock, and that fate
blunder and the unfortunate delay
has cost the county the loss of hel
courthouse and undoubtedly was the
cause Of the greater part Of the blood
shed.
At ten O'Clock last night the first
genuine appearance of renewed trou'
BILE was indicated by the crowd which
at that time began to force down or
the plaioons of police at Court ant
Main streets. They we're repelled by
volleY of blank cartridges, which
were discharged from the patrolmen'l
navy SKIES. Some of the more timic
took fight, but the great number
only wavercd, and in a few nom ent:
pressed forward again, when a SCI one
volley wss discharged. Confusion
reigned supreme. A few scattered
miltiameu appeared in the tbrODg in
tent upon joining their comrades ii
the courthouse rotunda, when cries o
"Klll them Kill them ~ came uE
from the mob, followed by vOlley o
stones and other missiles, which wert
buried at them as they passed 10.
THE ATTACK ON THE COURTHOUSE.
No attempt thus far had been made
to keep the crowd Oht of Min street,
the purpose only being 10 keep them
from passing east on Court street, as
it was not suspected that any attack
was contemplated on the courthouse.
Sudder ly a crashing of 81 IS was
heard in the vicinity of the treasurer's
Office, to the left oflhe main entrance
to the courthouse on Main street, and
moment later flames began to roll
ont through the broken doors and
windows, lighting up the streets
around. When the immense throDg
witnessed this new scene cheer after
cheer went up flOm tho multitude.
An attempt to call out the fire depart.
ment to stay The work Of the fumes
proved futile. The department re-
fused to respond until they should re
ceive an escort Of troops. The scene