The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-24
A REWARD FOR LYNCHERs.
A Proclamation from Governor Gray Relat-
ing to the Punishment Of Mobs.

Within little more than six months six per-
sons have been executed by mobs in Indiana, two
Of the number having been hanged last week
For several days mob is reported to have been
In pursuit Of the murderer of Lou Mabbitt, the
che missing Clinton county girl, determined to
lynch the person suspected of killing her, If he
shouid be caught. In view of the growing fire.
nuency of these lawless outbreaks Governor
Gray yesterday issued the following proclama.
zion:
STATE Of INDIANA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Whereas, Certain unlawful assemblages of people,
whose names are to me unknown, have usurped unto
themselves the right to administer punishment unto
Alleged volators of the laws of this State in defiance
of the legal rights of such alleged criminals to pub
nc trial by due of law in this: The lynching
Vincsnnes IN the county of Knox, Of one Holly
Epps, for the alleged killing of James Dodson;
The lynching On the 9th of March. 1885, in the coun-
y of Martin of Mart Thomas and John Archer. for
the alleged killing of Samuel A. Bunch; the lynching
en the 18th day of August 1886 at the town of HUI
ron, in the county of Lawrence of William Dunn tor
Munn) for the alleged killing Of John T. Davis and
She lynching on the 18th day of August, 1886, at
che city of Aurora, in the county of Dearborn of
William E. Watkins, for the alleged killing of Louis
Whereas Such conduct on the part of the citizens
of this State is crime against her laws and likely to
so unpublished. tending thereby to bring the good
great disrepute and disgrace; and
Whereas The courts of the State are open and free
30 ALL the machinery of the law untrammeed and equal
and exact justice can be melted out to all without him
drarce or delay, excuse can be made
Ur justification given in behalf of per-
sons who violate the law and trample
Us majesty under foot for the purpose of melting out
punishment to other volators of the law Every cit
ken is interested in the observance and enforcement
Of the law. No one knows how he may need its
own strong protecting arm for himself. In the OBJ
servance aud enforcement of the law lies the only
safety to person and property, and when faithfully
and impartsaIy administered are beneath its
protection. none above its control
To the emf that the supremacy of the law NAV be
upheld and the constitutional rights of every citizen
secured the people have ordained that the Governor
shall take that the laws be faithfully executed
Now, therefore, i, Isaac p. Gray, Governor of the
State Of Indiana do hereby issue this proclamation
Ealing upon the judges of the courts prosecuting at
Eorneys, sha-is constahles and al reace officers to
nse ali lawful means to bring to justice all persons
Engaged in the ynchng Of said persons as aforesaid
and all good citizens are earnestly requested to
aid said officers in the detection and apprehension
Of said violators of the the law.
There being placed at my disposal by appropria,
Hon. civil contingent fund of fifteen hundred dol.
lars to be used to execute the civil laws of the State
hereby out of said fund offer reward of one thou.
sand dollars for the apprehension conviction and
hentence TO not less than Imprisonment in the pen
kentry Of any person persons engaged in either of
baid ynchings. any subsequent lypching; said re-
ward to be paid to the person persons securing the
hrst conviction.
And all persons are hereby warned TO refrain from
engaging in the commission of such unlawful acts and
officers of the law hereby enjoined TO be watchfu
srd vieaat to suppress such lawess proceedings to
nnnn the peace and protect the honor of the State
In testimony whereof. have hereunto set my hand
aud caused to be affixed the seal of the State the
pity Of Indianapolis this 23d day Of August, A. D..
1886. ISAAC P. GRAY.
WILLIAM r. MyEns, Secretary Of State