Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-05-06
GRAHAM STRUNG UP.
A Mob Secures the Keys to the Pris-
oner's Cell and Drag Him Out
by a Rope.
He Is Then Taken to the MOllOy Farm
and Hanged to an Oak
Tree.

The clatter OF horses hoofs upon the streets
lea1ing to the Court House, short time b. fore
daylight, says n Springfield MOI dispatch, told
the few who were at that hour waiting develop
ments that another chapter was to be enacted
IN the Graham tragedy. 1t was no false alarm,
as the one hundred and fifty horsemen, with
masks over their faces, with shotguns, rifles, and
revolvers poised, and riding at full gallop, told
The accuracy OF the movements of the men
showed that they were thoroughly drilled and
knew what was to be done.
The entrances to the streets leading to the
Jail were quickly guarded, and every pedestrian
who made his appearance was halted and made
to throw up his hands.
spring-wagon was part of the outfit of the
lynching party The wagon was halted in front
OF the jail door, and a few men heavily armed,
and carrying in their hands rope and sledge-
hammers, knocked at the front door. The Sher-
i'll was asleep and answered their call.
Upon opening the door he was seized by tho
men, who demanded the keys to Graham's cell.
He attempted to equivocate, but revolver
thrust bstween his eyes told him resistance was
folly, and he told them where to get the keys
They then went to the cell and opened the
door. Graham was in his bunk and was COM
manded to get up. He was at first infuriated
and replied with oaths. "You can hang me, but
by Cd you can't scare me-" he exclaimed.
He was slenced by the muzzle Of a rifle thrust
in his face. He dressed himself and when the
rope was placed around his neck, broke down
and wept bitterly. The leader of the party in
formed him Of their purpose and demanded q
true statement of the killing of Sarah Graham.
He recovered his coInposure, and with some
got out he would give them straight talk"
He was led out Of the jail at the end of the
rope, placed in the wagon, and the grim process
sion moved in a northerly direction. About two
miles north Of the city the cavalcade halted by
a small scrub oak tree. Graham was asked IL
he had anything further to say with regard to
the killing of his wife. He reasserted his state
ment that neither Mrs. Molloy nor Cora Lee was
implicated in the murder. A cloth was tied over
his face, his hands We re bound behind him, as
the rope was thrown over limb of the stunted
tree. dozen strong arms In q twinking dam
BIed une DUuy or the wife-murdorer IN mid air.
He was literally strangled to DEATH and when
the lynchers departed and the spectators on the
outskirts ventured to the spot q pitiable sight
met their gaze. Pinned to his back was note
explanatory of the act. 1t was we'll composed,
and writted in legible hand. The closing para
craps are as follows:
I'VE heartily welcome all strangers to citizen
ship who are pure of purpose and act in good
faith, but we give this a warning to ex-con-
victs and murderers who may hereafter invade
our country to impose our credulity We
also give warning that any person or persons, Of
any rank or station, who dare to discover tho
actors in this tragedy, will be surely and speed
lily dispatched to hell, where all things are re-
vealed to the curious. In justice to the men,
ory of Sarah Graham, loving wife and dear
mother, whose life was sacrificed at the altar OF
Lecate, we subscribe ourselves,
@CTTIzENs OF GREENE COUNTY.
IN. B.-To Sheriff DOnneU: Keep your mouth
shut II you recognize any OF us you will die
the death Of dog"