The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-03-29
MAKES A CONFESSION.
LYNCH, OF THE ARCHER GANG,
TELLS THE STORY
or How the Gang Made Away with
Bunch--Thc Moiioy-Iee-Graham Trial
"A County Treasurer short Mystcri,
Gus Dcath--other Criminalities.


Bunch-rhc Moiioy-Lee-Graham Trial
"A County Treasurer Short--Mysteri-
Gus Dcath--other Criminalities
SHOALS, Iadn,l, March 2a--in the Archer
murder trial, Friday, John lynch. a mem
bcr of the Archer gang who turned states
evidence, testified that after Morley, who
WAS employed by Bunch, kille,. Mart Archer,
jr., the gang swore to wreak revenge on
Bun h. Witness said that Sam Archer, The
prisoner and Mart Archer, Sr., started off
10 get Euneh, and after several hours alb
SCI &c hrough, him back. When they came
up lunch said They have got me, Lynch.
Mat Archer said they were go ny to take
leach to the ssltpeter cave and keep him
thc.e uatil he told them where Merely was
in hiding Eunch's ha ds were tied behind
Ia IN and he was led up to the cave IN the
dead ot night by the whole gang, all armed
to the teeth.
The entrance to the cave was narrow and
gioomly, being iighted only by the single
lantern carried by one of the gang. Mart
Archer went in first and then came out and
whispered to the gang, so low that their
victim could not hear, that they were going
TO klll Bunch, Witness objected, but the
Archers said 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 ~as very large and had several
apartments Bunch sat down on a rock, and
the gang restel near him Mart asked
Bunch whore Morley was, and he replied that
he didn't know Mart said that he would
give Punch five minutes in which to reveal
Aorley's hiding place, and told the gang &c
get ready to shoot Bunch said; "Aor
wouldn't shoot anybody" They waited a
few moments, when Mart cried ira six
teen shots were fred. Bunch sroaned, hut
mover spoke Sam Archer, tha prisoner,
fired six shots Witness fred three The
cave filed with smoke, and when it had
cleared Mart Archer stepped up to Bunch's
body and fred the seventeenth shot into it
lmmeiiately after that the gang left for
home, The next Sunday they went to take
Bunch's body ont The Archers had with,
them half gallon of whiskey, two gallons
o. coal oil and plank box. All went into
the cave ana rolled Bunohs body into the
box, nailet it un and took it TO a pile of
dry OAK. Mart poured on the coal oil and
SGT tire pile on fire. AL full Of whisky,
watched the funeral pyre until consumed,
and went home
Witness did not zee the place again for
two years Saw it last two weeks ago,
when he went there with the officers They
found the piles Of ashes ami some of Bunch's
bones; also nails from the coffin. The rock
on which Bunch sat is still covered with the
stains Of his blood.
John l.ynch'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 st =
late hour an ali 5oGrnment was taken until
Saturday mo- ming, when the judge viii dc
liver his charge
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, March GA special
from Shoals, Ind, reports that The jury in
the case OF Sam Archer brought in yer.
dict Of guilty Of the murder OF Samuei
Bunch, and the prisoner was sentenced TO
he hanged on the 9TH OF July.