The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-25
PROTECTED BY THE MILITIA.
Sam Archerand JOhnLynch Transferred
from Jacksonville to Shoals,
Under Protection of Militia and the Sheriff
-AJury Secured and a Statement Of
the Case Made by Judge Farrell.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
SHOALS, Ind, March 24-The last of the no.
torious Archer gang under arrest, Sam Archer
and John Lynch, arrived here from Jeffersonville
to-day. the former to answer to a charge of muir
der, in which both are implicated, jurisdiction
of the latter resting in Orange county, where he
will be removed as soon as he can testify in the
Archer case. The men had for their eaeort sher-
- D~a~Als .n~ asputes, and forty of the State
militia, whom they met at Seymour. Hundreds
of eager spectators had gathered here, as people
had at nearly all points through
which they passed, to get a glimse OF
the noted desperadoes. When the train
came to a stop, Adiutant- general Koontz stepped
off and ordered the crowd back. The militia
closely followed him, forming a square. with the
prisoners and sheriff in the center. The order
was given to march, and the whole squad moved
off through the long lines of people, and were
followed by hundreds to the Jail, in West Shoals,
where the last of the noted gang were placed
once more behind the bars from which their
comrades had been removed by Judge Lynch. the
scaffold being in sight. Pickets we're Immediately
placed on guard, and every precaution necessary
was taken for their safety. Admission to the
Jail was refused all, save the officers. Archer,
the younger of the two, presents a pitiable APP
pearance, and his pale countenance is a strong
indication Of fear. AS stated by one Of his
guards, the nearer he approached the scene of
his crime the more restless he became. He
seemed to be deeply interested in the welfare of
his heart-broken mother. His companion shows
little signs OF trouble. He has grown somewhat
paler, which is due to his long confinement. He
positively claims to be innocent of the
numerous crimes with which he is
charged. He remarked to his guard that he
hoped they were satisfied now. since they had
had him in three jails and the State prison.
While he feels that he is safe anywhere, he hopes
that he will be removed to Orange county soon.
He also stated that the authorities might remove
the militia, as he did not fear the vigilantes; that
they might hang him il they desired to-he
didn't give a d.
In the afternoon the prisoners were taken from
the Jail and escorted to the densely packed court
room by the sheriff and militia. A special venire
of fifty jurors was summoned, but the list was
exhausted before a jury was selected, and a tales
man was called to fill the one vacant position.
All witnesses present were called and sworn,
separated, and directed by the judge to retire,
except the widow of the murdered man. who
was permitted to remain. Judge Farrell then
made a statement of the case to the jury, and if
the evidence substantiates the case as stated
conviction is a ~foregone conclusion. The jury is
of GOOD material, and selected from that part of
the county most remote from the locality OF the
crime. Everything indicates that a fair and i'm
partial trial will be had.