The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-20
A Respected Citizen Assaulted and Stabbed to
Death by vagabond Bricklayer Who
Had Committed Many Other Crimes.
The Murderer Taken from the officers
by q Mob of Infuriated Citizens,
And Put to Death in Most Horrible Manner
One of the Worst Scenes of Lawlessness
Ever Witnessed in the Hoosier State.

BpeciaI to tho Indianapolis Journal.
AURORA, Ind, Aug. 19-This city was con
vulsed with excitement at noon to-day, when it
was learned that highly esteemed gentleman
had been murdered by . vagabond tramp. Ret
ribution, however, was swift and terrible. The
Huron tragedy was duplicated. The murderer
was hanged on the street in ten minutes after
the commission Of his crime. The city was
filed with visitors, attracted to the Dearborn
county fair, and for several hours the thousands
present almost went wild. The particulars are
as follows:
Mrs. Rudolph Is putting up business build
ing next to the First National Bank, the
principal street. Her son-in-law, Louis Hilbert,
Of st. Louis was sent for, and came here to
oversee the work. Two weeks ago tramp
brick-layer, naued Watkins, engaged to work
on the building. He worked steadily until to-
day, when, about noon he appeared at the Ru
dolph building, and Hilbert ordered him to 90
to work He had been drinking and spurned the
order with an oath. Hilbert then told him to
leave the premises, when he drew knife, and,
i
don't have to CO." and made for Hilbert Val
entine Grossman, laborer, tried to hold Wat
kins, but he struck at Grossman with the knife
and intimidated him. He then rushed viciously
onto Hilbert and stabbed him four times in the
breast and shoulder. Hilbert sank to the ground
dead.
Several eye witnesses detained the murderer
until officer Ben Anderson arrived and placed him
under arrest An examination of the oyerseer
Hilbert, proved that he was lifeless, and the
crowds on the street became furious Watkins
che murderer, was placed in buggy, and
with an officer on each side of him, an effort
was made to take him to Jail for safe keeping
The crowd had now swelled to hundreds, and
the facts were passed from palid lips to resolute
hearers.
Hang him!" "Mob him!" "Kill himr was the
cry on every hand The horses which were
drawing the murderer away were stopped, men
climbed into the buggy from every side,
and over the buggy-top like demons thirstng
for human blood. Watkins was torn from the
powe-less officers, a handy rope was tied around
his neck, and he was dragged and kicked through
en alley to back street. An old-fashioned well
windlass over an abandoned well, covered over
with boards, was utilized by the mob for gal
lows, and here he was strung up. The top
however, was not high enough TO suspend
him, to compensate which the executionsrs threw
themselves upon his body, and, dragging him
down, straugled him to death. The scene can
better be imagined than described. Women
screamed. strong men were frenzied with pas
Esons the mob sureed through the Streets and
Iawlessness and disorder held full sway. The
police force. the fire company and a posse of
special police were necessary to clear the streets
and dsperse the crowds.
Watkinss lifeless body was cut down and
taken to Coroner Jackson's office, where an in
quest is now being held. From letters on his
person it Was found that 40 has wife 10 Louis
vile, at 1858 Lumbsrd street, who is harder
character, IL possible, than he was. His name
was William E. Watkins, and it seems that he
left Louisville only two weeks ago. It
Is reported that he left Louis
vile on account Of his numerous
him, he asked the officer how his victim was
and learning that he was dead, he replied, MY
Godl ! didn't intend to kill him; had to do
Il; hs would have finished me-" and
raising his sleeve he ahowed welts on his left
arm. The knife he used was an old shosmaker's
tool, . keen blade only two and half inches
long
Mrs. Rudolph had husband killed on the
streets Of Aurora number OF years ago Her
Dog tp.isy, who met the same fate today, was an