The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-22
WILLIAM MUSSEL LYNCHED.
Murderer of Farmer Christman Taken
from Jail and Hanged by a Mob.
Mere Formal Protest, and the Best Citi-
szens' Are Said to Approve the Deed.
70 tho 1nd;an.no,is Jorrn.,

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
EATON, o., Dec 21.-William Mussel, who,
two weeks ago last night, brutally murdered
Daniel Chrstman. wealthy old farmer living
near here, and nearly killed his aged wife, was
tonight lynched in this town by mob, 10 the
presence of Amos: the entire population Of the
town and hundreds from the neighboring coun-
try who came in expecting the affair to come off
jnst as it did. Mussel was captured at Green
castle, Ind, yesterday, and brought here this
forenoon. He was received by mob of five
hutdred men, who chased the carriage conveying
him to Jail until the officers in charge drew their
REVIEWERS and by hard work landed him in Jail
unfljured Even then a dash was made for
him. but the mob was second time driven off
Mussel was smoking cigar when he got off the
train, but was almost paralyzed with fear when
he 'oked into the angry faces of his pursuers
and heard their cries of "Lynch him." "Shoot
him." etc, howled into his ears, and shook like
an aspen as he looked into their angry faces.
Tonight regularly organized meeting was
held in the town hall. attended by leading citi-
zens. and the affair was fully discussed, with the
rut that his lynching Yves determined upon and
the men selected to carry out that determination
The meeting was not long in session. for its re-
suit was quickly arrived at, and few minutes
before o'clock rush was mado for the jail
The kseIif protested, but it was merely formal
protest, and the mob carried the outer doors
had, but sledges aud cold-chisels were speedily
put to work on Mussels cell door, and he was
dragged out A glance suficed to identify him.
for of men in the crowd
knew him we'll. A ready rope was quickly put
about his neck, and scores of hands helped him.
none too gently, out of Jail and into the court
house yard, and across it to the corner, where
stands electric-light tower. Into the glare Of
that light Mussel was dragged The howls and
yells of the crowd were like pandemonum
The rhrong filled all the available space in
sight, though some shrunk back into the dark
shadows of the electric light Mussel glanced
around, and his face, which had worn
defiant look, fell Tho leader appointed
at the meeting halted at tree near by. The
rope was swung over a convenient limb, and
then Mussel was asked if he had anything to
say. In frmer voice than could have been
expected he declared he was innocent of the
charge against him. He was not given chance
to say much more, for, exasperated by the
self-apparent lie from a man on the verge
of eternity. the signal was given,
and William Mussel was swung up between
heaven and earth 1t was just ten minutes aft
err 8 o'clock The great crowd was silert as
death it watched his dying struggles and in
quarter of an hour began to disperse After
hanging twenty minutes the body was cut down
and handed over to an undertaken The lynch
ing is generally commended by our best citi-
Zens.