The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-07-01
A MINNESOTA LYNCHING.
village Marshal Convey Of Detroit MUIR
dered by William Kelleher, Alias .'Big
Red"-A Mob Breaks into the Jail Takes
the Murderer Out to q Grove and Strings
Him Up.


dered by William Kelleher, Alias ''Big
Rod"-A Mob Breaks into the Jail Takes
the Murderer Out to a Grove and Strings
Him Up.
Detroit Decker Coy Special 23d.-Joln
Convey, marshal OF this village, was in.
stantly killed by a shot through the heart
fired by gambler and runner of a house OF
Ill fame named William Kelleher, alias
big Red" at 1:30 o'clock this morning.
row between gamblers had been in prog
ress all the evening, and hard blows had
been exchanged. Finally a number Of
them were standing in front OF the Masonic
block, when "Big Red" drew his revolver
and shot at another gambler named Frank
Bennett, who quickly lodged and the shot
struck the sidewalk. Marshal Convey,
who was standing near, started for "Big
Red, who as quick as he saw the move
ment brought up his seli-cocker and fired
at Convey. Convey threw up his hands
and exclaimed, "My God, I'm shot!' and fell.
big Red" ran around the corner and dis
appeared before the astonished spectators
could realize what had happened. Doctors
were called, but Convey never breathed
after he dropped. County Attorney Brown,
Sheriff Phinney and Constable Norcross
were aroused and a reward of $500 being
offered telegrams were sent in all directions
and parties detailed to scGur the country.
Messrs Foster and Bontel who had been
detailed to watch reds" house, while pa
trolling discovered their man asleep in the
brush, captured him and locked him up in
jail. At 10 a. m. Coroner Hanson empan-
elled jury, consisting OF some OF the best
citizens, who, after hearing the direct evil
dence and doctors report OF the port NOR
tenn examination, brought II virdict that
the deceased came to his death by a shot
fired by William Kelleher, with malice
aforethought. John Conveys father and
mother live in Rochester, Mimi, and tele-
gram being sent there they answered to
send the remains to Rochester. which will
be done. Convey was unmarried, but en-
gagged to an estimable young lady living
south OF town.
All day gangs Of citizens have thronged
the sidewalks talking in quiet, but earnest
tones, and men were on the watch around
the court house to see that "Red" is not
spirited away by the sheriff to another
county, the sheriff fearing a lynching. A
large number OF friends OF Convey from the
surrounding towns came in. Every one
conversed in quiet tones, and no noise or
confusion was heard. AS the clock struck
the lights in every saloon went out. At 10
O'Clock the silence was broken by the clang
of the large bell of the engine house, and in
less time than it takes to chronicle it the
three doors to the court house were sur
rounded by a crowd led by few men with
handkerchiefs tied over their faces. few
heavy blows from sledge and the rear
door fell and the window irons knocked in
to splinters the inside door, and
nothing but the sheet iron cells
were between the mob and their
victim. "Red" was in plain view and beg.
ged the crowd to shoot, but they paid no
attention to him. A delay occurred here,
as the leaders had everythin provided ex-
cept the necessary light to see how to work.
Sheriff Phinney, who is small man, strug.
gled hard, but was soverpowered. The mob
now became impatient at their slow prog
ress, as the matches did not last long. One
of the hardest workers struck at the sheriff
with chair, but q cooler man stopped the
blow, and the striker fell over into a tub.
The sheriff. at this stage, seeing that it was
impossible to save the man, sent for his dep
uty and handed over the keys. One turn OF
the lock, wild rush, and 'Big Red" with
a rope around his neck and twenty men at
the other end, started on his last earthly
run. The leaders dragged him q full quar-
ter OF mile to a grove OF trees, followed by
500 men on the dead run, and on arriving
poor wretch, without prayer or good
word. was pulled up. As soon as the rope
was fast a dozen revolver shots wero fired
into his body. It is impossible to say
whether there was much life in him when
strung up, as such was the speed at which
he was carried along that part OF the time he
was dragged rather than ran. Twenty
minutes later the town see med deserted.