The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-05-06
GRAHAM LYNCHED.
The Springfield. No. Wife Murderer
Hanged by n Mob.

the Jail and guard was placed at each OF
the streets that lead into the square
Twelve or fifteen of the leaders then went
into the Jail, where they found r. W. Doug
lass, the guard, on duty, whom they took
possession of. After securing him they
passed into the room where Sheriff Donnell
was sleeping, drew shotguns and reyOl-
yers down on him, and demanded the keys.
He informed them that he did not have
them.
There is no use OF being foolish about
the business" said the masked party; 1--WE
are friends, but we want Graham and we
are going 10 have him."
Then they went to the bureau drawer
where the keys were kept but it was
locked. They took the key to the drawer
from his wife, and then opening the drawer
they took out a bunch of keys, and, leav-
ing two men to guard the sheriff
after securing the keys, proceeded 10
the cell occupied by Graham. Unlocking
the door, they went in and told him that
they had come after him. Graham al once
commenced to curse them, saying that they
were God id Brooklyn murderers." At
this juncture one of the party very coolIy
placed a shotgun against Graham's head
and told him t. shut up and put on his
clothes without any more foolishness. Ora
ham then commenced to cry pitifully, keep
ing it up the entire time he was dressing.
After hs had finished the last of his dressing
the leader Of the mob told him that he would
have to make a full confession OF every
thing. Graham replied that he would give
them good square talk. \ rope was put
around his neck and his hands tied behind
him. This being done the crowd moved
out OF the Jail to College street, where they
placed their victim in vehicle provided for
the occasion. The wagon was in a cluster
of horsemen who had their weapons pointed
suggestvely in the face of the crowd OF
spectators, who followed at a respectful
distance, which by this time con.
sisted of about thirty persons. The
procession then moved across tbs
square to BOonviIIe street down. which they
took their way. This WAS the order OF
things until point was reached little be-
You'd tie Bailey grove. when they turned
west and passing out on the road hy the
wooden mill, arrived shortly at a small tree
in the common beyond. About on the cor.
pOration line dividing the two towns and in
front of the Haines place. there is a little
scrub oak about twenty feet in height with
bushy limbs beginning close to the ground
"A very incOuyenient tree for a hanging.
Ii was, however, "Hobson's choice" foI
there was 40 other tree at hand and they
were growing impatient of delay as dawn
was approaching.
Thu for tho final Of IN "a
tragedy went forward slowly and there
seemed 10 be a great deal of difficulty about
the details, the first time since their appear
ance in town that they had manifested An
embarrassment or delayed their movements
more than was consistent with an orderly
and methOdical execution of their designs.
just what happened under the tree at this
time no one except the regulators would be
able to say, for they kept everybody else at
Il distance of about fifty yards,
1t was about three o'clock
when the confusion which had pre-.
vailed for some time subsidized
and the horsemen gathered closely around
the tree. There was scarcely a sound aud.
ible. The little open space was only dimly
seen by the light of Il cloudy night. not as.
sisted 10y the light of the lanterns, for they
were continuously kept close TO the ground,
the interested observers, who were so neal
and vet so far About half past three
O'Clock the impatient members of the
Second division succeeded in getting theil
captain with them, after being told to wall
until they mad finished the work they had
undertaken.
Shortly before four o'clock tine guard
rode of west and the hystanGerS approach.
ing the tree found Graham suspended TO
one of the limbs with his feet almost touch.
ing the ground. The blood was OoZin2
from his mouth and nose. His features
were somewhat distorted and he was dead
The body was drawn out of shape and the
clothing twisted as though several men
might have been Juggling at his legs while
others were pulling him up by the rope,
and after much industrious effort on their
part he seems TO have died of strangua-
ton. The following notice was found at
tached to the back of his coat:
ARBITRARY NOTICE.
When the coroner is in possession OF this
paper George L. Graham will be dead, ana as
little punishment will have been inflicted as
if he had been hanged by legal authority. il
is Il matter of right To the community and
justice to humanity that we three hundred"
ignore the law in this instance. We recog.
niZe that our or mina statutes are not equ8
TO all occasions. Therefore, We have re
solved to remove from CUR midst the
worst criminal who has ever infested ON
country before he gets the benefit Oi
clergy" that we may hereafter and forever
live and be without his presence and vicious
influence. We heartily welcome all strangers
to citizenship who are pure in purpose and
net in good faith, but We give this.
too. rs warning to eX-convicts and
murderers who may hereafter invade
our country to impose on our credulity.
We also give warning that any per.
sons OF any rank or station who dare to $.
cover the actors in this tragedy will be surely
and speedily dispatched TO he'll. where all
things are revealed to the curious. In jus.
tice to the memory of Sarah Graham. Il low.
ing wife and dear mother, whose life was
sacrificed al the altar OF Hecate, we subscribe
ourselves,
CITIZENS OF GREENE COUNTY, No.
To Sheriff Donnell: Keep your mouth
shut if you recognized any OF Us, or you
will die the death of n dog" Graham's
body was cut down about five 4. M. by Sher
if DOnnell and brought over TO Eli Parsons
undertaking establishment There was e
letter from Cora Lee found on tho body. in
which there were many insinuations thai
could only be understood by the parties in
tercSted. 1t is said there were number
of mystic signs in the letter. About Ina (
past eight this morning an inquest was held
over the body and a verdict was rendered
that George Z. Graham came 10 his death
by stTangulation at the hands of unknown
parties. The remains were viewed by
thousands OF people during the forenoon.
The Lake Shore Strike
CHICAGO. April 27.-Since the Lake
Shore switchmen's strike came to a sudden