The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-15
A SHERIFFS PLUCKY FIGHT.
A Day and Night of Intense Excite
ment at Marion, Grant County.
Mob by Sheriff Holman and His AS
sistants-One Man Killed.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
MARION, Ind, July 14.-Although quiet at
this hour. the usually serene town of Marion has
passed through twenty four hours of intense
excitement, which seems likely to have tragi-
cal elimination before the sun rises on another
day. The immediate cause of the excite
ment springs from an occurrence on
last Saturday, of a character which, of itself,
would be of little significance or moment in
breeding violent uprising of the people, but
career of crime preceding the slight offense ag-
gravated a popular prejudice which was soon
worked up to desire for the vengence that a
mob wreaks.
About the close of the late war Capt John
Wallace brought 10 Marion an emancipated
slave named Frank Lewis. His countenance had
a vicious and repulsve expression, and lis gen
eral appearance was of a character to cause a
prejudice against him. He has lived in Marion
since, with the exception of portion of
two years enforced absence, and during that
time has been constant terror to the women
and children of the place. About ten years ago
he was convicted of the rape of negro girl and
was sentenced to two years Imprisonment Since
serving his sentence he has been accused of a
similar offense but not convicted. His vicious
depravity has been uncomfortable, and many
reputable women and girls have been annoyed
by him. His character has been we'll known
among them, and all have feared him. On last
Saturday evening he met three young girls on
the street, and approached one Of them, named
Mole Vincent, with request that she shake
hands with him. The girl refused, and told
him not to come near her. He started toward
them IN amenacing manner and SO Frightened the
Vincent girl that she was afterwards seized with
convulsons. Lewis was arrested on the follow
ing day, and, as the story of the matter spread,
strong feeling in favor of lynching on general
principles was worked up. A crowd of about
pose, last night about IL o'clock, and after
masking their faces, quietly proceeded to the
JAIL with the intention of summarily putting an
end to the life of the black wretch From ru-
mors which had been in circulation early in the
evening the sheriff was expecting the attack, and
had called in the city marshal, Al Won Behren,
to assist him in guarding the Jail. A
side door leading directly to the part of the Jail
where the cells were located was easily broken
open, and fourteen members of the mob sue
ceeded in getting on inside of this room, where
a hand to hand rough and tumble fight
occurred with Sheriff Holman and Marshal
Won Behren, whom the lynchers endeavored to
overpower. The leader of the mob succeeded
in reaching the Jail door, and with single blow
with a sledge- hammer broke the lock. In
the meantime, however, the members
of the mob who were back of
him began firing their revolvers in
the air, doubtless with the intention of terrify-
ing the sheriff into submission. During this
shooting, James Kelly, young man who was at
the head of the mob, fell dead with frightful
bullet hole in his head, and the cry that a man
had been killed brought the lawless crowd to
stop. After a short consultation they
withdrew from the building, carrying the body
of Kelly with them. His death was instantane-
ous The sheriff received bullethole
in the breast of his coat but was
not injured. Another man, who could
not be identified, was shot through
the muscle of the arm. The sheriff claims that
he had no revolver and says that the shooting
was all done by the mob. At the coroners in
quest over the remains of Kelly to-day, YER
dict was given stating that he came to his death
by an accidental shot, fred by some unknown
person.
After the mob withdrew from the Jail. crowds
Of people gathered in the Streets and the wild
est excitement prevailed. 1t was expected that
the attack would be renewed and at 3
o'clock the fire bells were sounded as signal,
it was supposed, for the gathering of the mob,
but there was nothing done The excitement
has continued throughout the day, and threats
have been made that the mob would finish its
work tonight.
Shortly after dark men began gathering in
Sweetsers grove, short distance from town,
and at ii o'clock it was reported that crowd of
fully two hundred had assembled and
were only waiting for some
man to volunteer to lead the attack. The sheriff
says that he expected an attack. The jail, how
ever, is guarded by only about fifteen men, and
If the mob comes the resistance will doubtless
be feeble. Lewis protests that he is
innocent of having committed any crime, and
did not know until yesterday upon what charge
he had been arrested. In an interview before
being locked in his cell this evening. he mani
tested great fear, and said that he expected to be
killed tonight.
AT 2 o'clock this "wednesday morning all was
quiet on the streets, and crowd Of about
fifty persons were lingering about the Jail in ex-
pectation of the mob's attack 1t is reported,
however that the lynchers are without a leader,
and can find no one to assume the responsibility.
The delay is regarded as an Indication of weak.
ness, and the officers now have strong hopes that
there will be no more trouble, although there is
some fear that there will be an attack before
daylight