Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-23
A PERlLoUs NIGHT JOURNEY.
The Offlcer's Determined Attempts
to Evade the Mob.
HANGED BY PARTIES UNKNOWN.
The Coroner's Jury Returns Verdict
to That Efect-Burial OF the Vic
tim-Mr. Clark Expected
to Recover.
Last Act in the Elgin Tragedy.


EIGlN, Neb., June 22-lSpecial Telegram
to THE BEE. Yesterday Mrs. Pomeroy
Clarke, tine victim of Nicholas Foley, was IN
TERED. The funeral was an exceeding large
one and the feeling, which has been intense
against the fiend who perpet rated the afro
cious deed, was increased tenfold. A large
number of people attended the services held
at the church, and those who could not get
In were free to express their feelings as to
the disposition of Foley 1t was known that
he had been captured at Burwell, and was
on his way to Neigh.
Shortly after the funeral services the
people began to organize themselves for
work, and about dark a large number of men
dispersed in different directions, to circum
vent the official who had Foley in charge.
The authorities in Neigh led the people to
believe tina. Foley would come in on
the train from the east, but the
men refused to believe that such would be
the case. About 10 o'clock at night mes
senger brought word that Foley was at
Petersburg in the hands Of Deputy Sheriff
Beckwith, and that he was going to leave in
the night for Oakdale. Scouts were imnedi-
ately sent in all directions, and at midnight
another horseman brought further informa-
ton.
About 5 o'clock IN the morning another
messenger came with the news that Beck
with started out on foot with Foley about IL
o'clock, and he was located about four miles
east of Elgin at the house of a personal
friend of the sheriff named A. H. Palmer.
Palmer promised to conceal him until the
next night. They were placed in a room up
stairs and the prisoner immediately lay down
on the floor and went to sleep. Though
greatly exhausted, Beckwith stood watch
over his prisoner. Beckwith was so tired
out that the prisoner noticed It,, and several
times suggested that they might as well
turn in first as last, as the mob was
sure to get him anyway. The two
must have been followed from Petersburg or
been observed on the route, for soon the
crowd began to gather. Demands were
made on the officer for the prisoner, but
were refused, and the crowd outside,
while strong enough to prevent an escape,
did not feel like forcing an entrance, as
Beckwith is powerful man, and they all
knew him to have an unlimited amount of
courage and determination.
BY o'clock in tho forenoon the crowd
outside numbered fully one hundred and
fifty. Four of their nu mber were sent in to
have talk with Beckwth, who still refused
to give up the prisoner. He warned them to
keep back and not come too near. One of
them attracted the officers attention for an
instant, and quicker than a flash four strong
arms were upon him. Though powerful
man the odds were too great and Beckwith
was overpowered and disarmed. Foley, who
had hitherto kept bold front, now broke
down, soDbing and pleading for mercy, but
there was no mercy in that crowd. He was
dragged downstairs, placed in a wagon and
driven to a bridge about three hundred
yards distant. A strong guard was placed
over Beckwith. who was forbidden to leave
the house.
AT the bridge Foley's arms were pinioned.
the rope, with a regulation hangman's knot,
adjusted and the prisoner compelled to
jump off the bridge. His neck was broken
by the fall.
A horrid expression settled upon tho dead
mans face, and visage that In his lifetime
had been anything but pleasant to look upon
now was repulsive.
AS soon as the crowd was assured that he
was dead they dispersed. The news spread
rapidly and all day long people have been
focking to the scene and hundreds have
viewed the body as it was swung to and fro
by the wind. Foley still wore the officers
handouts, and his hat remained upon his
head.
The coroner did not arrive until about 8
o'clock, and until that time the body was let
hanging where the avengers had left it, A
fury was empaneled and the following ver-
dict rendered:
awe find that Nicholas Foley came to his
death from hanging by parties unknown"
Foley was unmarried and had no relatives
living around here. He has mother and
brother in Wisconsin, where he was raised
He could not get along with his parents, and
came west to do for himself He is we'll ac-
quainted around here, having lived here to
several years. The deed he did was sur
prise to the people.
The details of his capture are as follows
Just as soon as the discovery was made o
the shooting Mr.. Riggs the father of Mrs
Clarke, ran across TO one OF the nelghbor' 8
who Immediately rode down 10 the telegraph
office at Egrn Dispatches were sent in every
direction and all points east, west north ant
south were covered. Among the first telc
grams that left was one for Ericsson, il
Wheeler county. Shortly after noon dis
patch was received from that place stating
that man answering the description had
passed through there u short time before OF
his way 10 Ord, Dispatches were imned
lately sent TO Ord and also to Burwell, an
Ericsson to send out posse at once as h
was in that country AS soon the dis
patch reached Ericsson two men left ther
armed with shotguns and between there an
Burwoll overlook the fugitive and arreste
him. He was taken TO Burwel and ther
kept until the arrival OF Deputy Sheri
Beckwith, OF Antelope county. Fror
the time OF the shooting up to his arrest nc
more than sixteen hours elapsed. He too
away with him one of the heetest horses
this part OF the country, aud IL he had &c
beyond the line of wires in tho western poI
As,,o - thA laf.. he hox
been very uncertain. After the arrival {
Sheriff Beckwith az Bnrwell he left 500
after with his man for Neigh, and as ever