Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-02-10
A CLOSE CALL.
Marrow Escape of Negro Fiend
from Lynching.
A Mob, Led by n Woman, Places a Rope
Around His Neck Three Times, and
He Is Only Saved at the
Platols Point.
EXCITING SCENE IN INDIANA.

living on forty-acre farm. She
is connected with some of the
best of Boone county's citizens
and her character is above reproach.
About midnight Saturday night she
heard some one around her house, and
to add to her fright a long pole was
thrust through the window and an at
tempt was made to knock from a
stand the only light burning. She
seized the light when Frank Hall,
big burly negro, who lived
with his parents near her home
jumped through the window. She
screamed, and he drew a revolver,
pointing it at her head, and demanded
that she be quiet He then took Eer
children, locked them in a room and
assaulted their mother When he was
ready to leave Mrs. Akers was more
dead than alive.
He had been gone about an hour
when, taking her baby in her arms,
Mrs. Akers dragged herself as best she
could about half mile to her brothers
house and related the occurrence.
| Her brother alarmed the neighbor-
hood and traced Hall through
! the snow to his home and
stood guard around his fathers house
until the sheriff was notified to come
| and arrest the criminal. The sheriff
arrived about o'clock Sunday morn
ing and brought Hall to jail. He de-
MED his guilt claiming that he had
been at home since o'clock. His
father said that he cany n after mid
| night.
| Threats of lynching 7ere so strong
that the prisoner was taken to Indian
apolis Sunday afternoon and brought
here Monday morning for preliminary
hearing. At an early hour the farmers
from around the city congregated in
squads and some yelled at the top of
their voices to storm the Jail. A leader
got out in the street and beckoned for
| followers. He marched to the jail.
Prosecutor Dutch hastened over and
mounting the Jail steps pleaded for bet
ter counsel. He said he would prose-
cute the negro and do all he could
to see that he was given the
full penalty, and for the sake of
Boone county's fair name to dispense.
This speech had a temporary effect
and the crowd did disperse partially.
At noon the prisoner had not had a
preliminary trial through fear of the
crowd, as it was thought best not to
remove Hall. A secret trial was held
in the jail which resulted in Hall be-
ing bound over to court in the sum of
$500.
About 1 o'clock the victim of the
crime came in accompanied by Mrs
Taylor. She gave out to the crowd
that she would be their leader and that
Hall should die. Mrs. Taylor had a
strong hempen rope about 20 feet
long, one end of which she was
trying to form into a hangman's
knot. She finally made a common
slip-lSnot, and the women started for
the Jail. Just at this moment the sher-
itf had received orders from Judge Neal
to bring Hall before him at once, and
as the women approached the Jail the
prisoner, accompanied by three deputy
sheriffs, came out. Somebody cried:
"Hang him!" and the crowd lunged for
Hall The deputies drew their guns
but failed to shoot
Hall was pounced upon and pulled
from the sheriff and way made for Mrs.
Taylor who came up and placed the
, loop over the negro's neck Yell after
yell of Hang him! Hang him!" was
heard, but by this time the citizens
! of the town came to his rescue.
Charles Neal, the judges son, weighing
J nearly 800 pounds, was among them.
A tug of war was begun and the negro
was pulled first one way and then an
other until he was completely tagged
, out. The ropH was cut and again
placed over his head; this was repeated
> another time, the crowd fighting over
, distance of 800 feet, pulling the
r negro.
Finally the way was made clear for
space before the north courthouse
entrance, and Hall was dragged in
: with his clothes nearly torn from him,
The Judge then demanded that enough
men be deputized to restore quiet.
1 | The prisoner was ordered TO stand, the
: affidavit was read and Hall pleaded
gully He was sentenced to twenty
! one years in prison. The sheriff placed
!, him in the judges private room, where
o he was kept until o'clock, when he
: was escorted to the train by 100 citizens,
l. who had been sworn in by the sheriff
n When they started to the train the
: crowds were still gathered and cries 81
# Lynch him!" were heard again. One
Il man made an effort to seize Hall, but
f | mdrSEldl OuSu was IOO 4ulCh
striking him on the head and knocking
him down. The crowd followed to the
depot and, while open threats were
u made, they lacked a leader The train
J. rolled in at 5;15, when the deputies
If boarded the train with their prisoner
y bound for Michigan City.
a INDIANAPoLIs, Ind, Feb. 6.-EranL
d Hall, the Lebanon negro, arrived here
y at 1880 Monday evening accompanied
s. by Sheriff Troutman and seven depu
,e ties. He will be taken from here to thu
Michigan City penitentiary.
Head Chopped on In "a Quarrel
ii 81, JOSEPH, Mo-, Feb. 7.-James Davi
/. and his son. farmers, quarreled with ;
u neighbor, James Hoitsclaw, at Barnart
l usb,, Day;s Sa;,a1