The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-03-17
THE SHOALS TRAGEDY.
Further Particulars of the Lynching of the
Notorious Archer Gang Tuesday Night.

Special to the Sentinel.
SHOALS, Ind, March 10.-The triple hang
ing last night has placed the town in very
high state of excitement 1t was in one
sense a surprise to many, this being the
third attempt, and was said by one of the
doomed men that ''the Martin County men
hadn't the sand to lynch anything" This
was said while he was confined in the Wash
ington jail, and the expression of his brave
ry was the principal reason they were re-
urned here.
After the mob had completed their job
last night they quietly disbanded, feeling
that mob law was in this case justifable and
the only means of protection. They had
scarcely vanished from sight when the
Courthouse bell announced by its tolling
that the souls of Martin, Thomas and John
Archer, father and son, were in eternity,
and in very short time great concourse of
people, eager to get glimpse OF the lifeless
ing the Courthouse, had gathered, and were
marching to and fro to the scene.
The mob was partially foiled in their ex-
pectations as they no doubt expected their
victims to make a confession before meeting
their doom, but noRone word could be drawn
from their dying lips in answer to the num-
erous questions put them. When marched
from the jail amidst the mob not one word
was uttered by them, they meeting their
doom as bravely as if innocent.
The Coroner was called at very late
hour last night by the Sheriff to come and
take charge of the bodies. He decided to
postpone the inquest until this morning
thereby giving all better chance to view
the remains. at present the courtyard is
black with spectators, the incoming trains
bringing more. When the bodies were cut
| down the rope was cut up by the relic hunt
ers. After examining the case carefully the
Coroner decided that 'they met their death
| by hanging at the hands of unknown
| parties"
The relatives have not yet decided when
or where the remains will be inferred. They
are now in the hands of the Coroner.
To those who have been unable to obtain
the full crime for which the Archers were
hung, perhaps brief synopsis would be ap-
preciated:
The principal crimes with which they
were charged, having been verified by
both Lynch's confession and the affidavit
made by Mrs. Archer, are for the muir.
| der and disposal of the re-
mains of Anderson Bunch and the
robbing and fatal wounding of Stanford
Freeman, an old and highly respected citi-
zen OF this county, in 1S85-the former
crime being committed in July, 1882.
Lynch confessed that Bunch was lured from
his home for the express purpose of murder
| ing him, in which he and the Archers shared
an equal part. He stated that he was bound
hand and foot, then taken several miles
to a secluded spot, in Orange County, where
he was treated in the most cruel manner,
before it was decided in what way
he should be disposed of, they deciding
that he should be badly beaten with stones,
after which, while utterly helpless, his BODY
was literally shot TO pieces, then cut in two
and buried in separate places in the swamps
near by the exact spot Lynch located, and
upon examination as he directed the half
decayed bones were discovered.
1.-The second victim of note was Stanford
Freeman. AS he was known TO have con
siderable wealth concealed about his
premises they had determined to have it
All arrangements for the robbery were male
l uhon IN uaa daoidod that thav attack him