The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-03-10
A Timid Mob.
Special to the Sentinel

Special to the Sentinel.
SHOALS, Ind, March This townswas in
high state of excitement yesterday over
the second appearance of the would-be
lynchers; but as they disappeared as quietly
as they came, it leaves the public in state
of bewilderment. A message was received
by Sheriff Padgett from Judge Heffron in
structing him tc remove John Lynch, now
confined in the county jail, to Washington
for greater safety, for what purpose we can
not learn. With this message as a basis,
several theories have been advanced as to
the purposes of the mob. One theory very
strongly advocated is that the parties had
met to defend Padgett and his prisoner were
he to attempt TO remove him, as an attack
by the prisoner friends was almost mo-
mentarily expected.
Another theory advanced is that they had
met for the express purpose of lynching
them. They had evidently assembled in the
outskirts of town, intending to march in in
a body, and if an attack was made, to have
their force sufficiently strong to gain the OBJ
ject in view, But their plans were partially
foiled, as the entire company expected did
not put In an appearance at the appointed
time. at IL 80 a small squad OF men
marched silently to join their comrades, who
had assembled near the west end of the
county bridge: By IL o'clock they had come
to the conclusion that all who were coming
had come, and their crowd was small in num-
Der, and no doubt lacking in bravery. Their
number did not exceed thirty-fiye, all well
masked and armed to the teeth. They took
every precaution against the detection of
their plans. Sentinels were placed on all
highways leading to the bridge. A short
time after they assembled they could be
heard conversing in low tones which lasted
but a short time, when they agreed to dis
band, whether to meet again for the same
purpose and carry out their plans yet re-.
mains In their bosoms. In an hour after
ward the streets were clear and all was silent
So quiet were their workings that they did
not disturb the townsman from his
heard during the whole time
save the firing of pistol shots on the other
side of the bridge just before disbanding
Sheriff Padgett took Lynch to the Davies
County jail yesterday morning, vast crowds
congregating at the depot when he took his
departure. Lynch was returned from Wash
lngton only few days since per his request
he stating that he did not fear the mob.
For several successive days the officers
have searched the prisoners daily, finding in
their possession various weapons necessary
for an escape. The first search resulted in
the nnding OF large bulldog revolver on
the person of Mort Archer; also large bar
OF iron concealed in his cell. Yesterdays
search resulted in the finding of a skeleton
key and pocket knife on the person of
Lynch, also piece of thin steel. With the
use of these tools his escape would have been
trivial matter. How they obtained these
tools is profund mystery which the
swrewdest officials have been unable to fer
ret out. Every precaution has been taken
by the officials To preserve the lives IF the
prisoners. Whether they will ever have a
trial in court depends largely upon their
own conduct between now and the time set
for their trials.