The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-12
THE MURDER OF REV. RYAN.
The Deed Was Committed by an Organized
Gang, Who Lynched Three Innocent Men.

PARKEKsBuRe. w. Va, JAM 1.-THE Rev.
Thomas P. Ryan, q noted Methodist minister of
S.his State, living in Roam county, about forty
miles from here. was brutally murdered in the
presence Of his family and at his own home, in
October last He had just returned from con-
ference with some S400, and the purpose of the
murder was evidently robbery. Within two
three days after three yeung men. Robert and
George Duff and Chester Coon, were brutally
lynched for the murder. It has been the pre-
vailing opinion that the lynchers and murderers
were the same parties, and that they lynched
innocent men to cover their own crime. Since
the events just stated took place, detectives AL
fred Burnett and Daniel Cunningham have been
working up the case. and last night, for the first
time, made public the facts in regard to tho
matter. Cunningham says that about the time
the war broke out q number of families came
from Clinch River Russell county, Virginia, and
squatted on the Bruen estate, without either
buying or leasing the land, and secret band
was organized which was to run the neigh borhood
as il pleased and protect their 'rights" as squat
ters Most of the arrests of the band since 1874
have been made by members of one family and
by the Duffs. In regard to the more recent do
ings of the band, the names of thirty-seven
members. the password and forth is given.
The Consolidated band" held meetings every
week, and at every meeting they took a new
oath to divulge nothing upon penalty Of death.
About three weeks before Ryan was murdered
they held meeting at Kentuck, At which it was
moved that they proceed at once to lynch George
and Robert Duff, Frank Shamblin, Doc Jones
and Jack Parsons. The motion was seconded
but was voted down by a very small majority.
The next week meeting was held at the same
place and the same motion was made and again
lost by a small majority. AT this meeting, four
too murderous. withdrew from the
and Chester Coon were lynched. sure
enough. After George Duff had been fatally
wounded by the lynchera. Squire Taylor or
dered the arrest os Bob Duff and Chester Coon
The next evening Squire Garde ordered them
taken to Walton. The constables dsobeyed the
order. Coon was taken to Joe Cooks, and Duff
to Dave Coxs residence for the night. That
night the band had a secret meeting the Linn
camp school-house. 1t was decided lynch
Coon and Duff immediateiy, though some voted
TO wait until Monday. Ben Coon, uncle of
Chester Coon. one of the mon whom they were
going to lynch. was elected leader and be ac-
cepted the position. They went to Cooks where
Chester Coon was. took him out and hanged
him. Then they went to David Cox's took Bob
Duff out and cut his throat with knife He
was first stabbed in the stomach and breast
then cash cut in his throat, and finally
Duff's head was held back while one man cut his
throat from ear to In regard to the mur-
derers Of Ryan being the lynchers, the detective
says:
1--WE have secured evidence enough to prove,
and will prove that the men who lynched Coon
and the Duff boys were the same that murdered
Rev. Thomas p Ryan. The five six men en-
gagged in the murder OF Ryan do not all live in
Roam county. 1 have their names. aud they
are all in that county now, with some possible ex
ceptions"
number of original letters are also made
public. In which prominent citizens have been
warned TO leave the country. These warnings
are all signed Regulators" and are addressed
70 men and women. The common form Is to
threaten destruction of property, mutilation of
the body or other outrageous conduct. The
sightest ofense on the part of anyone pun
ished with warning, and the persons warned
generally found it wise to leave. The grips
and other secret signs of the band are given.
The forehnger of the right hand placed around
the thumb Is the signal for a meeting when il
was dark, and the same finger thrust into the
hand that meeting was to be held at once and
in the daytime The men make oath TO the
above statements and number of afidayits
accompany the publication.