Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1894-04-19
GIVEN 100 LASHES.
James Riley Summarily Pun
ished for Assaulting a
Little Child.
Very Little Seeding Yet Done.
Condition of the Weather
UnfaVOrable.

James Riley, suspected boot-.egger,
tough and all around sport Of lower
order vas given an unmerciful horse
whipping Monday evening by vigilance
committee Tor his attempted rape of a
small child, and then told never to set
foot within the limits of jamestown.
When last seen he was headed west, and
going as fast as his limbs would carry
him.
During the absence at church, Sun
day, Of a well known family living on the
north side of the track, Riley. passing
the house and noticing the little girl
playing around outside, enticed the
child into the storm porch. After the re
turn of the parents the little one had
her story drawn from her; and Il fairly
good description of her asailant. The
police were notified ana at about 10
o'clock Sunday evening the fellow rUn in
and held pending the holding Of an ex
animation. At about II o'clock that
night, before Chief Of Police Thompson
had returned to his hona and while sit
ting in police headquarters, he was called
outside by tapping on the window. AS
he reached the door he was confronted
by two Wincbesters and demand
uttered by the masked holders of the
rifles for Jas. Riley. The order was
compiled with. and no sooner had Riley
appeared than a rope was thrown over
his neck and the crowd numbering about
thirty, moved rapidly toward the railroad
yards.
Not till the river was crossed was the
punishment begun and then about 100
lashes were laid across the fellows back
by brawny and determined arms and
with vim that made the fellow think
that his last hour had arrived. The
fellow begged not to be hung and de
clared that he would leave the city if
they would only spare bis life. After
the castigation, Riley was turned loose
and told TO get which he did il the
most approved manner. Before beng
taken from tie police station Riley con-
fessed everything, but claimed that he
was drunk at the time and not RESPONSE
bic for himself.
The GRO vd was most orderly gather
ing but from their silence and determi
nation it was very evident that they were
about to bring swift and merited justice
upon the head of the culprit. Each per
son wore mask and, as it was raining
nearly all wore macklntosheo or ruober
coats completely concealing their lden-
tity. There we're few signs OF undue
excitement and no loud talking but an
unmlstakable determination which it
was not best to run counter to.
In connection with the above. 1t might
be stated that there are several classes Of
undesirable gentry in the city, having nc
visible means of support, who are being
closely watched and, as fast as their cases
can be attended to, WILL see that they va
cate the city or quit the business. Tir
horn gamblers, boot -leggers, women OF
the town and others who have been get
ting very bcld, will be squelched if such
a thing is possible. Some have already
taken tumble" and are looking about
for new fields and pastures green IL
which to exist, other than in this city
From the reception which Riley received
they see that there is possibility OF their
having like prescription sfor their all
ments and ore acting in accordance
Herewith.