The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-12-28
JUDGE LYNCH


JUDGE LYNCH
Takes the Matter i'm Hand and AyengeS
the Murder of Daniel ChriStman.
EATON, Ono, December 21.-Bill
Mussel, the murderer of Daniel
Christman, was lynched here this
evening, and there was never a
neater piece of work of the kind done
in this county or elsewhere. 1t re-
quired but about half an hour to
complete the job from the start, and
there was not an accident to mar
the festivities OF the evening There
wero no outward signs of excitement
throughout the day, but it was evi-
dent from the stern quiet, and de
termined looks on the faces of the
men who kept pouring into town
that they meant business. This
evening at seven o'clock meeting
was held in the fire engine house,
and those present soon had regu-
lar organization, and it was resolv-
ed to hang Bill Mussel, well and suf
ficiertly, and that right away.
Crowbars, axes, edge-hammcrs
and ropes were sent for and were
promptly produced. The jail is not
far from the engine-house, and at
1876 o'clock the crowd filed out of
the meeting-room snd made direct
tor the prison. On the way few
of the crowd uttered a yell or two,
but there was no undue excitement
manifested. The Jail stands IN a
large yard plainly. in view of Main
street, which was lined with men,
women and children, who were bent
on seeing the fiend.
At 7 40 o'clock the first blow was
struck, and at fourteen minutes af-
ter eight o'clock the murderer was
strung up. The quiet, nonchalant
manner in which the leaders work
ed and the crowd of spectators act
ed can not be better described than
by comparing them to the conduct
of an ordinary crowd at an auction
Of cattle. The prisoner was up
stairs in the Jail, and
THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE
OF any kind offered tc those who
we're bent on settling the business
Of the evening. Repeated calls were
made for Sheriff Dan Peters, but he
did not respond. He was evidently
not at the Jail. The crowd had to
break through three doors, and
worked with q will, lanterns being
held by their friends for their con-
yenience. Nobody was marked, and
nobody made any effort to conceal
his presence, or whatever part he
might be taking in the proceedings.
There were no howling nor firing of
guns or pistols, and the only thing
heard was the casual remarks and
occasional laughter that might be
heard anywhere on the street on any
ordinary occasion.
Upon reaching the prisoner a let
ter from girl was read to him. and
among other things it asked if he
had an accomplice. He stated to
his captors that he had not. When
THE PRISONER WAS SECURED.
He was led out into the Jail yard
and stopped at tree, where it was
first proposed to hang him. The
crowd changed it's mind, and brought
the murderer out on the pavement
in front of the Court House. There
is lamp post there and it was de-
cided to do the job there, but the
post was found to be too low. Mus
sci was then conducted few yards
to the west, where at the corner of
Main and Barron streets there is a
new derrick used in erecting an elec-
tric-iight tower. A ladder stood
there, which a couple of men noun
ted with the end of the rope, which
they slung over an iron rod, a part
of the tower. Mussel's coat was ia
ken off and his hands were tied with
rope The moose was placed
around the fellows neck, and he was
ordered to mount the ladder When
he got up there, his ankles were tied
with another piece Of rope
Said a voice. Swing him off. ~
No wait till he says what he has
to say"
"Have you any thing to say about
the MURDER
Nothing Was the reply.
"This is your last chance; say
what you want now"
II have onl v this to say. / did
not kill Daniel Christman; YOU are
mistaken"
as your name Bill Mussel?"
"Yes, my name is Bill Mussel.' -
"Let her 90, Gallagher" came
from the crowd, and one of the men
on the derrick shouted, walk north
when you pull on that rope" Those
who had hold of the rope walked
north. At fourteen minutes after
eight o'clock Mussel was
DANGLING IN THE AIR,
And he swung around thirty or for
ty times rs the tension ON the half
inch rope untwisted it. When the
hanging began there was not a rip
pie in the crowd, not yell nor a
sign of the least sympathy or feeling
for the wretch.
After the body quit swinging
around it began to sway to and fro.
1t was hoisted high up and lanterns
were held up, in order that the crowd
| ~; oh4 eno +ha e;uht