The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-28
GEORGE GRAHAM LYNCHED.
The Wife-Murderer Taken from the jail
at Springfield, No., by Mob,
And Hanged at a Convenient Spot in the Edgs
of the Town-lIe States that Mrs. Molloy
and Cora Lee We're Entirely Guiltless.

Springfield Special to st. Louis Globe Democrat
About 130 o'clock this morning mob, esd
mated at from fifty to one hundred men, rode
into the city from the west, armed with shot
guns and rifles, and halted College street,
opposite the jail, which contained George e.
Graham, the wife murderer. All belated pedes
TRANS who came in their way were ordered te
throw up their hands and commanded to stand
away from the street, which order was readily
complied with. The Globe Democrat correspond
emit, having previously had an inkling of the
affair, was on hand and soon heard
the knocking at che door OF the
Sherlffs place of residence, which is in the
same building as the courthouse, part Of which
is used Jail. There was the sound of ror
and heavy implements rafting, and then thert 3
followed comparative silence, broken only b.
an occasional order from the horsemen for spec.
tators to stand back. In about twenty minutes
there was confusion and busting, which wal
caused by the taking of Graham from his cell
and putting him in wagon. Then there was
command, s'All ready 60" and the procession,
consisting of the wagon containing Graham aud
guards. with horsemen in frons and rear, pro.
ceeded through the square and north on Boom
vile street. presumably to point in the woodk
near the Mccain place, three miles north of town,
where the mob was seen to collect to night A
considerable crowd of people followed. but were
ordered to stand back at the peril Of their lves,
They still persisted in following, many Of them
exclairang:
"We want to help YOU"
1--WE want to look on,n etc. 20
BY this time it was nearly o'clock.
The Globe Democrat correspondent visited tho
fail and interviewed the wife Of Sheriff Donnel
relative to what had transpired. She said they
were sleeping soundly. not suspecting such
movement. when she was awakened by the
knocking at the door, She had some difficulty
in awakening her husband, and be opened the
door, when about five or six men burst into the
room, seized tie sheriff. and took forcible pos
session of the keys. Mrs. Donnell tried to help
her husband, but they were powerless. They
opened the door to Graham's CELL tied q ropa
around his neck. and half dragged and half
pushed him out to the wagon, where four or
five held him. The Sheriff and his night
guard went with them and rode ON the wagon,
and after reaching the spot indicated above 1t ID
said that the sheriff made strong appeal to the
He said that the punishment Of Graham was
only question OF short time. as he had con-
fessed the crime. He begged that the prisoner
be returned for the sake Of the good name and
was in van however The rope was thrown
over limb. one report Gays, and Graham drawn
up. The reports are numerous as to the manneE
of his execution, and the only thing positive
about it seems to be that his life was taken and
the murder of his defenseless wife avenged.
The mob proceeded with Graham to the norths
west part of the city, where there is grove, be-
yond the wooden mills. and stopped at the first
suitable tree they came to- AS to what Graham
said while on the wagon nothing is known. but
spectators were near enough to hear the mob ask
Graham If he wished to make any confession.
He said: q
.'Gentlemen, you all want me to tell tina
truth"
There was chorus OF loud answers in the af-
firmatiye from ALL a.
He then said that Mrs Emma Molloy and Cora
Lee knew nothing of the murder of Sarah Gra-
ham until Feb. 90 This WAS the date of tue dis.
covery of her body in the well.
He was asked if he wished to make any pray
or, and replied: Z
mo, -- II, I'm not afraid" se
Some one offered brief prayer after which
the rope was put over limb Of the tree aud his
body hauled np He made no entreaties for
them to spare him. but went to his death coolly
and died apparently without any struggle. In Q
short time his breath had fed The mob and
The following notice was pinned to his body:
i'OBirUARY NOTICE the coroner liz in
possession of this paper, George E. Graham wilt
be dead, and as little punishment viii have been
inflicted as IL he had been hanged by legal
authority. Il is matter Of right to the COM
munity and justice to humanity that we, the
Three Hundred, ignore the law in this instance.
We recognize the fact that our criminal statutes
are not equal to all occasions Therefore, we
have resolved to remove from our midst the
~svcsvn h~e e. SoA
before He gets the benefit OF clergy that we
may hereafter and forever live and be without
his presence and vicious influence We heartily
welcome all strangers TO citizenship who ara
pure of purpose and act In good faith, but wa
give this to the world as warning to ex-convicta
and murderers who may hereafter invade our
country to impose on our crednlty. We alse
give warning that any person or persons OF any
rank or station who dare to discover the actors
in this tragedy will be surely and speedily dis
patched to hell. where all things are revealed to
the curious. In Justice to the memory Of Sarah
Graham, a loving wife and dear mother, whose
life was sacrificed at the altar Of Hecate, we
subscribe ourselves,
s.CiT1zENs OF GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI
ITO Sheriff Donnell: Keep your mouth shut
if you recognize any of Us. or you will die the
death Of dog
Sheriff Donnell tells the following story:
II was in bed asleep when they came. Ever
since Graham has been Ia Jail for the murder {
have had guard who comes on at midnight and
remains until daylight, while remain up until
midnight myself. This guard is r.. w. Douglas.
He was up when the mob came. The first thing
knew heard them coming in, and as soon rs
could jump out Of bed and put on my pants they
were passing into the room, holding Douglas
tight and fast Two big felIows--and they were
big ones, too-grabbed my hands, while two
others caught me behind. never saw 80 many
shotguns and navios before in my life, and they
handled them in a way that was too careless for
comfort. All the wore cloth masks. One
Of them said:
g i want the keys
al haven't got them replied.
sThere is no use Of being foolish about the
business" said the masked party I'VE are
friends, bnt we want Graham. and we are going
IN hav i'm