Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-19
HANGED BY JUDGE LYNCH
POOR OLD FARMER DOBSON's
MURDER AVENGED.

The Work Accomplished at Night by q
Score of Men With BADdana Handkar-
chiefs for nlasiNs-The 9 ssheriff7s Refusal
to Open Ris Door Followed by an En-
trance by Force.
NINCENNEs, IND, Jan. 1S.-Holley
Epps, murderer Of farmer Dobson, has
eXpiated his terrible crime, at the hands
OF Judge Lynch, about 80 o'clock this
morning, a crowd Of masked men,
numbering from twenty to thirty, carry-
ing sledge hammers and various other
implements, were seen marching through
the suburbs OF the city down Sixth street
towards the jail Their masks were
nothing but bandana handkerchieis, but
every face was so carefully covered that
identification was impossible. They
marched steadily and silently 10 the court
house yard Hero they saw two police
men. The leader Of the gang approached
those officials and peremptOrily ordered
them to 40 home. The policemen disap-
peared as by magic.
AROUsING THE SHERIFF..
Statonlng masked sentinels at the cor~
ner OF the jail yard the greater part Of the
gang entered tho yard and walked
steaithiy toward the p0rtieo Of the
Sheritfs residence. Not sound could be
heard save the ahuiling of score of feet.
The lynchers stood back while the leader
knocked again aud again, but received no
response. Finally, however, with louder
rapping and tiercer calling, Sheriff Sed-
delmeier was aroused, and coming to the
door, called out from within, who's
therer I'VE want you 10 open the door
and let us in. We are friends and want
to get IN. We want TO see you" answered
the leader in calm and steady tones.
Il can't let YOU in tonight, gentlemen,"
decidedly answered the Sheriff.
THEIR ERRAND DISCLOSED.
.'Rut we must get in.o said the leader.
I'VE propose 10 have the carcass OF the
nigger who murdered poor old farmer
DObsOn up IN Green county, and if you
won't let us IN we will get in anyhow"
"You can't come in here,' spoke the
Sheriff. determinedly, "and If you try to-
break in you will violate the law, and lay
yourselves liable to criminal prosecu-
ton"
well, here goes, then" at last decid ed
the leader. "Boys, get ready" And at
these words ''bang' went great sedge-
| hammer against the door. In two or three
| hits the door was smashed to splinters
and literally knocked OF It's hinges.
SEEING THE SHERIFF..
Entering the hallway the lynch:ng
party struck light rushed into the par
lor, grabbed Sheriff Seddlemeier and
| pushed him into an adjoining room,
slammed the door in his face and grutily
ordered him to keep quiet and stay in his
room. The lynchers made for the huge
! iron doors and commenced their work Of
| battering them down. This was the most
! difficult part of their work, and half an.
hour elapsed before they succeeded in
gaining an entrance, They entered
the enclosure, soon got into Epps'
cell, and unceremOniOusly jeFked him
from his bed. Epps yelled and howled
like a maniac at the first sight Of the
strong men who had come 10 take his lie.
but blow in the mouth silenced him. 1t
was but the work OF a moment 10 drag
him outside and he was soon hanging
from the limb OF tree in the yard. the
rope around his neck sitting his cries, as
he was hurled into eternity. He died in
few minutes after being strung up. =