Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-03-11
THE SIEBOLDT LYNCHERS.
Their Trial Now in Progress at Dar-
HngtOn.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE.
To the Editor.

| DAhLlN0io oN, w ID, hdiS ., 4COA.
Your readers have of course read
accounts of the murder of James
Meighan and the lynching of his sup
posed murderer in September last; but
perhaps very brief resume of the
facts may not be out of place in con-
nection with report of the trial of
the men now under Indictment for
such lynching.
1t was on the 10th of September,
1891, that James Meighan and Anton
Sieboldt came to Darlington from the
farm of the former in Willow Springs
to procure a load of lumber. 1t is
said that both drank pretty deeply of
whisky while here, and towards even
started for home with their load. Soon
after leaving town they began a quar-
rel and Meghan was killed and his
body found in the grove beside the
road. Sieboldt was arrested and
lodged in jail the same day, and pro-
ceedings were instituted for putting
him on trial for murder Threats of
lynching were freely made, and he
was removed from jail to place of
safety that night, and the next day
taken to Monroe to be held until his
preliminary examination could be had.
On the 21st he was brought from
Monroe on the morning train for a
hearing before a Justice; but about
noon he was taken from the jail here
by mob and hanged to tree in the
public square. A coroner's jury was
impanneled, but did not attempt to
ascertain who were the leaders of the
mob, it being deemed better that the
investigation should be made by a
grand jury.
At the December term of the cir
cult court grand jury was called and
charged with this investigation; and
indictments were found against John
E. Meighan, John A. Meighan, Fran
els Meighan, Barney Meighan, Alonzo
Taylor, Hezikial Andrews, Thomas
Smith and Frank p Bliss. Several Of
these were at once arrested, and bal
was fixed at $4,000 for each defend
ant. After finishing the civil bushes 5
before the court, it was adjOurne d
until March /, 1892, in order to give
parties time to prepare for the trial.
All those under arrest gave bail except
Thomas Smith, who remained in GUS
tody.
Court convened on March 1st, being
Tuesday Of last week, and all those
under Indictment were present except
Barney Meighan who has not been
found. On Wednesday morning plea
in abatement wos entered by the de-
PENDANTS on account of alleged irregu-
larities in summoning and empannel-
ing the grand jury, which found the
indictments. The state filed an answer
to the plea, to which the defence
demurred, and the demurrer
was overruled, the court, thus sus.
tanning the indictments. The pris.
oners were then arrigned, but stood
mute, declining to plead; this in legal
effect being a plea of not guilty
Judge Rose for the defense also en-
tered plea Of insanity.
The state is represented on the trial
by J. B. Simpson, district attorney
and Hon. w. E. Carter of Platteville
the defence, by Wilson & Martin, OF
this city, and Hon. D. S. Rose, of Mil
waukee.
The work of empanneling a petit
jury to try the case was commenced
and up to last evening two hundred
and fifty man had been called as
Jurors. Of these two hundred and
fourteen were excused for cause, two
were challenged peremptorily by the
state, and twenty-five by the defence
leaving twelve competent jurory il
the box, subject to further peremptory
challenge. Each defendant is entitled
to twenty four challenges, making one
hundred and sixtyeight in all; so tha
the prospects Of finding a jury soon il
not very good.