The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-12
REV. RYAN'S MURDERERS,
THOSE WHO LyNCHED THE ALLEGED
sLAYERs GUILTY.
They Are Members of vigilant Com
mittee Who Hanged Innocent Men
TO Protect Themselves shrewd De-
tective Work.

PARKEGsBURG, w. Va, Jan. 1.-THE
Rev. Thomas Z. Ryan, noted Methodist
minister of this State, living in Roane
county, about forty miles from here, was
brutally murdered in the presence of his
family and at his own home in October
last. lie had just returned from confer
ence with some $500, and the purpose OF
the murder was evidently robbery
Within two or three days after that three
young men, Robert and George DUFF and
Chester Coon, were brutally lynchcd for
the murder II has been the prevailing
opinion that the lynchers and murdereB
were the same parties and that they
lynched innocent men 10 cover their own
crime. Since the events just stated took
place, Detectives Alfred Burnett and Dan
icl Cunningham have been working up the
case, and last night, for the first time,
made public the facts in regard TO the
matter.
Cunningham says that about the time
the war broke out, number Of families
came from Clinch river, Russell county,
Va, and squatted on the Brucn estate
without either buying or leasing the land,
and secret band was organized, which
was to run the neighborhood us Il pleased
and protect their rights IN squattcrs.
Most Of the arrests OF the band since 1874
have been made by members Of one family
and by the Du1s. In regard 10 the more
recent doings Of the band, the names Of
lhirty-seven members, the password, etc,
IL given.
The Consolidated band" held meetings
every week, and every meeting they took
a new oath TO divulge nothing upon penal
| ~ Of death. About three weeks before
Ryan was murdered they held a meeting
at kentuck, at which II was moved
that they proceed at once 10 lynch myself,
George and Robert Dull, Frank Shamb-
ling, Doc. Jones and Jack Parsons. The
motion was seconded but was voted down
by a very small majority. The next week
a meeting was held at the same place and
the same motion was made and again lost
by n small majority.
Al this meeting Tour Of the members, for
whom II was getting too murdcrous, with.
| drew from the band. The next week the
Duhs aud Chess Coon were lynchcd sure
enough. After George Duff had been
fatally wounded by the lynchcr, Squire
| Taylor ordered the arrest Of lob Duff aud
| Chess Coon. Tho next evening 'Squiro
Garlee ordered them taken 90 Walton.
| The constables disobcyed orders. Coon
was taken 90 Joe Crooks and Duff 10 Dave
| Cox's residence tor the night. That night
the band had secret meeting nj the Lynn
| Camp Echool.housc. II was decided TO
lynch Coon and Duff Immediately, though
some voted 10 wait until Monday
| Ben Coon, an uncle OF Chess Coon, ono
| Of the men whom they worc going 10 lynch,
was elected leader, and he accepted the
| position. They went 10 Cooks, where
| uhcS Coon was, took him on, and hanged
him. Then they went 10 Dave Cox'H,
took Bob Duff out.and cut his throat with
n knife. lie was iirst stabbed In the
stomach and breast. then gvh was cut
In his throat, and finally Duirs head was
held hack while one man cut his throat
from ear 10 ear.
In REGARD 10 the murlcrcn Of Ryan be-
ing the lynchers. the detective says "Wo
have secured evidence enough 10 prove,
and will prove, that the men who lynchcd
Coon and the Duff boys were the same men
that murdered the Rev. Thomas T.. Ryan.
The five or six men engaged In the murder
Of Ryan, not all. live In Roanc county. I
have their names, and they are all In that
county now, with some possible oxcep-
tons"
Tho number Of original letters are also
made public, In which prominent citizens
have been warned 10 leave the country.
These warnings are all signed "Regula-
tons" and are addressed 60 men and wom-
en-. The common form Is 10 threaten de-
rruction Of property, muiilation Of the
body, or other outrageous conduct. Tho
oilcnse on the part oiany one was punished
with n warning, and the persons warned
generally found Il wise 10 leave.
The grips and other secret signs Of tho
band are gwen. The iocfngcr OF the right
hand placed around the thumb Is the sig.
nal OF n meeting whom u became dark, and
the same finger thrust into the hand that a
meeting was 10 behcld nj once and In the
daytime. The men make oath 20 the
above statements, and number OF aida
| IL. -