The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-07-24


Details OF the summary Execution OF Jus-
tice on Howard Cooper la baltimore
County. Md.-No Chance for Appeal Now
BALTIMORE, MD., July 1.-THE details
Of the lynching Of Howard Cooper yes.
terday morning are as follows: At a
quarter past eleven o'clock Sunday night
q masked horseman rode TO the Jail
where Cooper was confined aud called to
Sheriff Knigit, who had gone to bed.
The Sherin came to window and an
swercd him. The horseman said;
II have come 10 suggest that you send
your family away tonight"
knight declined and the man rode
away. An hour later Knight returned to
bed Shortly after body OF horseinen
advanced from the adjoining woods
and fields and formed around the
jail. The leader pulled the
bell at the front entrance and asked 70
see the Sheriff. knight, appearing to be
the leader, demanded Cooper. The de-
mand being refused, the masked leader
with yell, bearing heavy telegraph
pole, which they had brought, on their
shoulders With this they battered down
the iron door and poured into the jail.
The Sheriff and Deputy Nelson met them
and cndcavored 10 stay their progress.
The Sheriff threw one man over a railing.
He was caught In the arms OF his friends
below and was not hurt The Shcriff's
vile rushed into the middle Of the fray
and tried to drag her husband away.
The captain OF the lynchers said:
"Have no fear, ladies'. No one will be
hurt"
While some struggled with the Sheriff,
others looked for Cooper. lie was found
and crow-bar was used TO break down
the grating OF his cell. He was dragged
out and his hands tied. The men hurried
him out while the others still struggled
with the Sheriff and his deputy. As
Cooper was hustled through the door the
Captain called out:
"ALL HANDS OUT"
There was a rush from the jail, aud
Cooper was surrounded. Assuring him
self that all the men were out, the Cap
tain said:
"Who knows Howard "COPPER""
Several men Identified him, when the
Captain said: "Arc you sures Remem-
Der, we must make no mistake"
The same men declared themselves
positive that 1t was Cooper and the Cap
The crowd stumbled forward In the
dark, pushed Cooper roughly before
them, while two men holding The rope
led the way. They went II once TO big
tree, not forty yards from the norihca Il
corner Of the jail, and halted.
"Once for all, Is this the mani" calmly
asked the Captain, thrusting a lantern
close 10 Coopcr's face.
The culprlts eyes were gazing defiant
IN around aud be made no sign OF fear.
There was deep scowl on his face, but
he made no Effort 70 resist.
Another chorus Of voices reafiirmed his
Identity, aud the men commenced to
throw the rope over tree.
Cooper spoke for the FIRST time say
ing "Sce here, you fellows Amt going
70 let me fail from up dars"
The Captain said $40, we won't let
you fall hard"
Cooper exclaimed, "wcll, you've got
Howard Cooper, amt your
The doomei man then deliberately
raised himself on tip toes, as II 70 faclli-
tate Ills own execution.
The Captain gave the signal and the
body shot up in the air. Some Of the
lynchcrs wanted 10 shoot at him as he
slowly revolved In the air, but the Cap
tain commanded:
mo shooting. Let every man stay
quietly here until Cooper Is dead"
Al ten minutes past one the lynchcrs
gave three cheers and ia a few minutes
had scattered aud disappeared as mys-
teriously as they came.
The lynchers numbered about seventy
five men, aud mostly came from the di-
rcction OF Green Spring Valley, where
the assault was committed
The body remained hanging until jury
Of inquest was summoned yesterday.
The verdict was that Cooper came 70 his
death BY hanging nj the hands Of parties
unknown. No effort has been made 10
discover who the parties engaged in the
fvn.hinv ,rara