Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-25
SHAREHOLDERS LYNCHED
Short Shrift for Red-Handed
Highwaymen.
The Ruggles Brothers Strung
Up at Redding.
Their Bodies Left Dangling in the
Breeze Several Hours.
No Confession ELECTED From the Gull
Prits-Abnormal sympathy of
Women Prompted the
Lynching.

REDpING, CAL, July 24.--John d. and
Charles Ruggles, brothers, who robbed
the Redding stage near here several
weeks ago, and killed Express Mes
senger Montgomery and wounded the
driver and passenger, were taken from
jail by about forty armed and masked
men, at 2 80 O'Clock this morning, and
hanged.
The recent sentimental attitude of
number of women toward the prisoners.
as we'll as the line Of defense adopted
| by their counsel, who has been evident
lily endeavoring to implicate Messenger
| Montgomery as a party to the crime,
had been denounced by number of
persons in the county, and it is believed
that the lynching was due to those
causes.
About o'clock this morning body
of forty men marched down the hill
leading to the court house, they having
evidently met at some rendezvous some
distance from town. Arriving at the
corner of Butte and West streets, they
marched across the square and entered
the court house. They aroused the
jailer from his slumbers and forced him
to go with them. The sheriff and his
deputy were sleeping at home. The
jailer was conducted to the lower floor,
the door to the sheriff's Office was forced,
and he was directed to produce the keys
to the Jail. He told the men that they
were locked in the safe. The jailer was
then placed in corner, blindfolded,
and guards setover him. With sledge,
drills and powder the men forced an en-
trance through the side of the safe and
into the strong box. The sound of the
sledge could be plainly heard from out
side.
AS soon as the mob entered the sec
ond iron door leading to the Jail proper,
John Ruggles greeted them with a
trembling voice, asking ii they meant
him harm. Charley RuggIes said not
| word.
John Ruggles's cell was opened first,
and he was told to come out. He said:
"Gentlemen, be lenient With my broth
| er; he is innocent OF this crime." Il
No attention was paid to him except
to handcuff his hands behind him, he
making no resistance. Some one then
said: "Let's get the other one out"
ana the door was opened and Charley
Ruggles stepped forth. Thep were both
dressed only in pants, undershirts and
stockings.
About 215 O'Clock, one hour and a
half after entering the courthouse, the
lynchers came out with the two pris-
oners. The crowd was silent and un-
demonstrative. The party marched
across the alley and down the next
street, some two blocks, then turned to
the left, stopping at a blacksmith shop
located near the railroad company's
large woodshed, and halted. Here
crossbeam was suspended from two
pine trees. The ends of the ropes,
which had been placed around the
necks of the men, were attached to
this crossbeam.
When all was in readiness, the leader
said; IF you want to make a state
ment, now is the time, and De damned
quick about it,"
John Ruggles spoke up and said !:
Gentlemen, spare him." meaning his
brother.
One of the lynchers asked John if he
had anything to say concerning the Cas-
adero stage robbery, also about the
murder of the driver, in Siskiyou coun-
ty, supposed by some to have been
killed by him. He answered: 81 know
nothing OF tne6e affairs.
He was then asked where the balance
of the treasure taken was buried. He
replied: "Spare Charley, and 1 will
tell you."
Another voice then said: 'sNever
mind the treasure, tell US If you want
to; if not, say what you have to say
quick"
The doomed men refused to speak
further, and on signal from the leader
! they were suspended in the air, about
four feet from the ground. Making fast
the ropes the crowd dispersed in various
, directions.
The bodies hung there until cut down
by the coroner, about 8 O'Clock this
morning, and the passengers on the
, Oregon trains saw them from the cal
+ windows, dangling in the morning sun
Quite a number of Redding citizens
took hand in the affair, and the citi
zens appear to approve of the summary
, Justice meted out to the murderers O
"Buck" Montgomery.
, The affair was we'll planned ant
executed with due deliberation and il
order. While the bodies were hanging
! some one suggested shooting them, bu
the suggestion was cried down.
Two women witnessed the execution
! and the shadowy forms of onlooker
j seemed to be hid everywhere nearby.