Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1886-03-31
MAKES A CONFESSION.
LYNCH, OF THE ARCHER GANG
TELLS THE STORY

OF How the Gang Made Away with
Bunch-Ths MoIloy-Lee- Graham Trial
"A County Treasurer Short-Mystsri-
Gus Death-Other Criminalities.
SHOALS, mdnd., March 90 lin the Archer
murder trial. Friday, John Lynch, MEM
Der of the Archer gang who turned states
evidence testified that after Morley, who
was employed by Bunch, killed Mart Archer,
Jr, the gang Swore to wreak revenge on
Bun h. Witness sail that Sam Archer, the
prisoner, and Mart Archer, ST., started off
to get Bunch, and after several hours alb
Sc. ce brought him back. When they came
up Bunch said: They have got rue, Lynch. "
Matt Archer said they were go ng to take
Buach to the saltpeter cave and keep him
thee until he told them where Merely was
III hiding. Bunch's ha&ds were tied behind
him and he was led up to the cave in the
dead OF night by the whole gang, all armed
to the teeth.
The entrance to the cave was narrow and
gloonlly, being lighted only by the single
lantern carried by one of the gang. Mart
Archer went i'll first and then came out and
whispered to the gang, so low that their
victim could not hear, that they were going
to Kill Bunch. Witness objected, but the
Arcbers sail it was now too late; that they
must kill him or be killed themselves. Mart
led the way into the cave, Bunch next, and
the Others following.
The cave was very large and had several
apartments Bunch sat down ON rock, and
the gang rested near him. Mart asked
Bunch where Morley was, and he replied that
he didn't know. Mart said that he would
give Bunch five minutes in which to reveal
Morley's hiding place, and told the gang to
get ready to shoot. Bunch said you
wouldn't shoot anybody" They waited a
few moments, when Mart cried fire" Six
teen shots were fired. Bunch groaned, but
never spoke. Sam Archer, the prisoner
fired six shots. Witness fired three. The
cave filed with smoke, and when it had
cleared Mart Archer stepped up to Bunch's
body and fired tho seventeenth shot into it
Immediately after that tie gang left for
home The next Sunday they went to take
Bunch's body out The Archers had with
them half a gallon of whisaey, two gallons
o. coal oil and a plank box. All went into
tbs cave ami rolled Bunch's body into the
box, nailei it up, and took it to pile of
dry oak Mart poured on the coal oil and
set t1e pile ON fire. ALL full of whisky,
watched the funeral pyre until consumed,
AMI wens no he.
illness ulu not see the place again lor
two years. Saw it last two weeks ago,
when he went there with the officers They
found the piles of ashes and some of Bunch S
bones; also nails from the coffin. The rpck
on which Bunch sat is still covered with the
stains Of his blood
John Lynch's testimony was the event Of
the day, and during its recital the audience
in the courtroom was breathless with hor-
ror. Some OF the remains of Bunch's body
were produced in court and examined by
the jury. Other testimony damaging to the
prisoner was given by Hiram Wells and
others, and court adjourned until evening
At the evening session of the court eloquent
arguments were made by the attorneys for
the prosecution and the defense, and at a
late hour an adjournment was taken until
Saturday morning, when the judge will de-
liver his charge.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, March GA special
from Shoals, Ind, reports that the jury in
the ease of Sam Archer brought in a YER
diet of guilty of the murder OF Samuel
Bunch, and the prisoner was sentenced TO
be hanged OH the 9Th Of July.