The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
LYNCHING IN OWEN COUNTY
Frank Dice. the Slayer of His Rival in
Love, Hanged in Jail at Spencer.
Sheriff Overpowered by Masked Men and the
Prisoner Strung Up to Cell Door by His
Undergarment-AW ell-Trained Mob.
speeial 10 the Indianapolis Journa,.

SPENCER, Ind. July 1s.-Frank Dice. who
was IN Jail awaiting trial for the murder of
William Chanly in February last, was
lynched early this morning by gang OF
masked nen. The sheriff was awakened
by the alarm bell about midnight, and saw
three men at the door below. He inquired
their mission. and they said they had
prisoner to give into his custody.
1t was very dark outside. and as the sheriff
opened the door be could not recognize the
men. The supposed prisoner seemed dis
posed to struggle until he was pushed
close to the sheriff. when be grasped
that officer by the throat. The others
pinioned his arms to his side, and
he was soon bound and gagged.
Others were crowded into the room to the
number of fifteen. The sheriffs keys were
secured, and the mob went TO the cell
apartments. 1t was some time before the
doors were opened. and possibly half
hour elapsed before the party returned and
departed.
patient heard the levers of the doors
being thrown back as he passed
along and observed men on guard.
about the Jail. while at each corner of the
square were posted sentinels. one of whom
was standing by tree he bad passed. The
work had been done by this time, and the
lynchers were relocking the jail. Two or
three other persons joined the doctor on
the corner Just as the masked gang left the
Jail and their beats No words were spoken,
only the command of the lead
or. Zone. two. three, march" The
men responded to the command.
passing down Man street. and turning at
the Sanitarium toward the fair grounds.
where conyeyances were In waiting.
Those who bad watched the party then
went To the Jail and found the sheriff. who
had just been released, in q daZed coDGi-
ton. but fully aware that Dice was dead"
which was his reply TO their inquiries.
the cell. where they found the body
OF Dice hanging on the inside
TO the celI-door. by his undershirt closely
tied about his neck. He was cut down and
was extinct The prisoners in an adJ Looming
cell knew nothing of the death OF Dice un-
til informed by one of tie lynching party.
who ASKED where Dice's cell was located;
saying that the -- In the next cell
had hung himself.
When the body of Dice was cut down
the marks on the neck had the appearance
OF having been made by rope or some
coarser material than q soft undershirt.
The sheriff believes that Dice heard the
Dice left two letters which he had writ
ten that day, one to the girl to whom he
was engaged 10 marry, and over whom the
trouble arose between him and CLANCY,
aud the other TO friend, asking favor
which would assist him in getting clear.
The letter to the girl was characteristic
love letter and was In hopeful vein. AZ
the bottom of the letter were the letters
that of Dice's, and supposed to have been
added by one OF the lynchers. The coroner
Is sitting at this time.
ANTICIPATED THE MOB.
Another dispatch says the sheriff was
awakened by the call of two men. who
were supporting an apparently drunken
man between them. and, when he appeared
at the window. one of them remarked. 1--WE
have bird for your cage" Unsuspicious
that treachery was afoot the sheriff IN
locked the door. and called out In jocu-
lar vein. Bring in your bird" Scarcely
were they within the door before the
sheriff was seized and forced to the floor
while one of the men, addressing him by
his given name. assured HIM that no harm
was contemplated toward him. but they
had come for Dice and were going to have
MIN. Meanwhile the remainder of tho
lynchers rushed in. and while some of them
assisted In binding the sheriff man who
was familiar with the premises walked MP
stairs to the sheriff's bedroom and, address
Ing his wife by her given name, gave similar
sheriff and bis family. but they were after
Dice. The keys were wrested from the
sheriff, and the leaders proceeded iInmedi-
ately with their deadly work. The first
cell visited aroused the wrong man. who
assured the visitors that he was not Dice.
and he clinched his assertion by point
ing oft the cell in which the victim
was located. Then D1oe's cell door
was thrown back and the lynchers rushed
in. Not word was said by Dice, nor WAS
there any sound of struggle. and in few
moments the lynchers marched out and
went downstairs, one of them laughingly
remarkinR at the head of the stairway, ap-
parently for the information of the in
mates. The id scoundrel anticipated our
visit didn't hef"
Dice's crime was the shooting of William
CLANCY. in March last. The shooting was
o cold-blooded affair. CLANCY and Dice
young lady at Jordan's Village. and of
the two Clancy seemed to be the
favorite. CLANCY and Dice met at public
sale, and with difficulty were prevented
from coming to blows. The following week
Dice went Ia the home of Chaney's father.
and asked if any one had a bottle of whisky.
1hereupon young CLANCY walked 10 his
coat. which was hanging on the wall. and
us Iflenus supposed ne was getting q bottle
in pursuance of Dice's request. When his
back was turned, however. Dice drew his
revolver and shot him. killing him in
stantly. Dice was arrested and brought to
Martinsville. His trial should have come
up at the last term of court, but he secured
@ change of venue I'D Putnam county. Last
Sunday himself and a fellow-prisoner es-
capped from Jail, and they hid in the court
house. expecting TO remain there until after
nightfall. and then leave for good.
Their retreat was accidentally dis
covered, since which time Dice was kept
in close confinement Surprise is felt that
Dice awaited the coming of the lynchers. as
he often threatened 10 kill himself If ever
attacked by mob. Many believe that he
really did strange himself. and that the
mob only found his dead body upon which
TO vent its rage.
Riddled with Bullets.
BIRMINGHAM. Ala, July 1S.-Near Village
Springs, Ala. last Thursday. negro as
saulted Mrs. James Cowden. wife of prom
inent farmer. Friday night Mac Brown
was captured by posse and fully identi-
ned. At o'clock this morning. while being
taken TO Jail. Brown was taken from the
officers by the posse and riddled with bull
let's
Relic OF the Johnstown Flood
PITTsBURG. July ls.-The counsel for Mrs.
Nancy Little has filed a statement IN her
suit against the south Fork Fishing and