The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-27
In DANGER OF LYNCHING.
Removal of Murderer Hennings from Rock
vile to Brazil, and Thence to Terre Haute.
special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind Oct 26.-John Hennings,
who, in cold blood shot and killed Mrs. Lottie
Vomer, ut Rockville, here, on Saturday
night, because she would not marry him, was
brought here tonight to prevent his being
lynched. After he shot Mrs. Vollmer, whose
husband was shot two years ago while trying to
whip photographer whom he charged with i'm
proper relations with the wife, he hid in a field,
where he was found by excited crowd, and
was only landed safely in the Jail after much op
position. Yesterday evening several wagon-loads
of men came into Rockville from the south and
west Their teams were subsequently con-
eeaed. and the men scattered. AS soon as it
became dark squads of men could be seen dart
ing through alleys, gathering on street corners,
and in several instances cleaning revovers.
They were not ruffans, but in almost
every case good and well-known citi-
Zens of Parke county. A secret meeting
was held and the unanimous determination
was expressed to demand the surrender Of Hen
nngs by the sheriff and endeavor to secure the
wretch without resorting to extreme measures;
if this failed, to batter down the doors of the
jail, take the man and hang him. Through
information of the intended movement and a
strong force of extra guards was assigned to
duty at the jail
At 1890 o'clock this morning doubleseated
carriage. drawn by a powerful team of gray
horses, was taken by roundabout way to the
front of the Jail, but crowd of some twenty
five men had been for some time lying in wait in
the court house square, and also opposite the
Jail, and at the appearance of the sheriff with
two deputies and Hennings a signal was given
and rush was made. The men had succeeded
in getting into the carriage, how
ever, and started before the crowd
could get within reach. The yells of
disappointed rage that went up were sufficient
to convince almost any one that Hennings would
have but little chance for living if he fell into
the hands of his pursuers.
"Stop that carriage!' Hang him!' "Shoot
him!" were among the ones heard. and, quick as
lightning. five shots rang out, the man who dis
charged the weapon running after the carriage,
about fifty yards in the rear. Some one in the
vehicle thrust his arm out of the curtains of the
carriage and fred two shots at the crowo. This
served for moment to break the advance of the
crowd and give the driver of the carriage an op-
portunity to Increase the distance between him
and the bowling mob who were after the pris-
oner. Nearly paralyzed with fright the pris-
was driven to Brazil, the intention to
bring him here being thwarted by information
that the party would be intercepted on the
road. All day Parke county and Rockville men
arrived in Brazil, and the sheriff of Clay county
became alarmed, as his Jail not SAFE He
secretly made arrangements with the Vandaia
road officials, and the evening train stopped
outside of town. the sheriff and his prisoner
boarding the baggage-car at o'clock this even
ing. and Hennings. nearer dead than alive, was
anded in the Jail here. He was interviewed by
your correspondent. He admits that he COM
mitted the crime. but pleads that he was drunk
al the time. He says he is willing to hang for it.
There is talk in police circles tonight that
nm attempt by Parke county men will be made
here to night to take him from jail There is no
likelihood of this being successful, as the Jail
here is Of the best make