The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-28
GAVE HIM TIME 10 PRAE
A WIFE Murderer Lynched, md Hts Father
Escapes tho Fate Narrowly.

NASHVILLE. Juno 27--William Bates who
was arrested on Saturday on tho charge OF
numbering his wife the day before near Rowes-
ville Bedford county. was taken from the Shell
byville jail to-day by mob and hanged.
The mob marched down Depot street to the
jail At the cato Deputy Sheriff Hoover met
them and refused to give them admittance.
Sheriff Moore came out and pleaded with the
crowd for law and order. The leaders yelled:
Tear it down." The most energetic men be-
gan climbing the fence and the gate was
opened.
The crowd rushed to the Jail door and de-
manded the keys. Moore refused to surrender
them Several men seized him and forced the
keys from him. The door was then opened.
The crowd began searching the cells, Part OF
the mob forced the cell where Schott Batos.
father Of tho accused was confined. and then
rushed to the second floor.
Quickly forcing open one OF the cells they
found Will Bates and dragged him out A
rope was placed around his neck. and also
around the neck OF Schott Bates. who was
taken along The crowd then proceeded to
the Court House yard. Will Bates protested
his innocence. A deep voice was finally heard
exclaiming: Let him pray"
Pates raised his hands TO heaven and made
piteous appeal for mercy. and protested to
the last that he was innocent. Then Schott
The rope was thrown over the limb OF tree
and quickly drawn tight The man swung
into tho air.
Bates died apparently without q struggle.
great cheer went up as the work was finish
ed. Tho crowd then started to hang Schott
Bates. who. they claimed. had instigated tho
crime. He cried out: Pm innocent. my God;
I'm innocent: spare me. spare NO."
Several men interferred and reasoned with
the crowd For while 1t seemed that Bates
must hang. but an uncle Of tho dead woman
begged for his life.
W. G. Hight Of Shelbyvlle stepped up and
pleaded with the crowd. and finally Bates was
given back into the hands Of the officers and
returned to jail.
The body Of William Bates was cut down,
and Coroner Marshell i'm panelled q jury. The
verdict OF the jury was that he came to his
death by hanging at the hands Of persons I'M
known.
Deputy Sheriff B. F. Robinson started to
Murfreesboro with Schott Bates in a wagon
The mob heard OF the movement soon after
ward and are now In hot pursuit Of him. Bates
will be hanged II caught schott Bates was
in jail at Shelbyville. awaiting trial for
horse stealing. his case having been post
poned from time to time on account of
the absence Of important witnesses" When
the case first came UP for trial it was said that
Bates would attempt to prove an alibi by his
son Will. who would swear that his father
stayed with him all night on the night the
horses were taken. Wills wife had. however
said that her father-in-law had not been
with them all night Fearing that she
would be brought up as witness in
case involving her husbands father. she
went to her father. Thomas ]. Koonce. and
asked him for advice. He counselled her to
tell nothing but the truth. and this determine
ton she communicated to her husband The
result was that Will did not appear as a wit
ness to provo an abb for his father. but DO.