Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-11-02
SHOT THEM DOWN.
Would Be Lynchers Give Warm
Reception at Tiff1n, o.
Thsy stoym the jail In an Attempt to
Secure Wurderer-Armed Guards Fire
avollsy and Two Rioters Are Killed
-Troops Called Out.


ular city marshal, who was shot down
in cold blood by Leander j. Martin,
alias Williams, "A farmer of Hopewell
township, last Wednesday evening,
two more victims were added to the
tragic affair At 1880 o'clock mob of
$50 infuriated men, many of whom
were under the influence of liquor, at
tackled the Jail in an effort to secure
Martin and hang him. A volley from n
half dozen Winchesters met them and
two of the mob were killed. They are:
Henry Mutchler, Jr., and Christian
Matz.
Early Sunday morning crowds be-
gan to gather in the vicinity of the Jail,
and Sheriff Van Nest, fearing further
trouble, called out Company C, of the
10th regiment o. n. g., to maintain or
der. This company, which is stationed
here, is not numerically strong, and the
sheriff, thinking Capt. Loomis' men
would be unable to cope with more
general civic uprising, telegraphed Gov.
Mckinley for more troops. The COVER
nor complied with the request, ordering
three additional companies to the
cSShS' DuiIit WIG oiiS
each came from Fremont and Sanduslty,
and late in the evening the company
from Kenton arrived on the Big Four.
The news of the death of Shultz
caused the widest excitement in town
and among the neighboring farms
where the dead man was well known
and liked. Shultz' funeral was held
Saturday and was largely attended,
the farmers for miles around adding
their numbers to those of the friends
of the marshal living in town. After
the services there was much talk
umong the populace, especially the
farmers living near Watson, and it was
noticed as evening drew on that few
of the tillers of the soil had taken their
departure for home. Nothing was
thought of this, however, as the farm
FRS regard Saturdays at this season of
the year as holidays, and often make a
day of it "in town"
There was considerable drinking
among the town crowd and plenty of
talk about lynching Martin, but it was
pot taken for much. Sheriff Joe Van
Nest, knowing Shultz' popularity had,
however, taken the precaution the day
after the murder to place four or five
guards in the Jail and arm them with
Ninchesters. He said that he really
expected no trouble, but put the men
there lust to be on the safe side" At
midnight most of the saloons closed
and the town was apparently quiet.
Out at the old fair grounds just one
mile east of the Jail and courthouse an
exciting midnight scene was being en-
acted. Belated residents making for
their homes in that portion of the city
noticed groups of men in various parts
of the grounds. The groups grew and
their numbers were augmented every
few minutes by the arrival of people
from various parts of the city andcoun-
try. Shortly after / o'clock there was n
concerted move, and the mob, which had
ut last found leader, started into the
city.
The marchers, on mob law bent, ar.
rived at the Jail at 40. With terrible
yell they demanded entrance to Sher
iff Van Nests official residence at the
jail Many members of the mob had oh
tanned sledge hammers which they
used with quick effect OH the light doc.
which leads to the corridor between
the sheriff's residence and Jail proper
This obstacle was demolished with 9
few sharp blows and the blood-thirstJ
mob surged inside the Jail. Sheriff Var
Nest and his deputies were prepared
for intruders. He met the first part o.
the mob and demanded their instant
withdrawal on penalty of the law ant
bodily harm if they ventured further
The brave officer of the law faced the
infuriated throng revolver in hand, bu
he was oyerpowered by the reckless
partly intoxicated mob and his weapon
wrested from his grasp.
After gaining access to the hallway
and overpowering the sheriff, the mol
soon broke open the solid steel dool
which separated them from the Jail
Behind this is a heavy semi-circulal
barred door which was attacked will
sledge hammers. After pleading ano
threats had failed to get the men t.
desist, the guards fired their revolver
into the ceiling. The sound of the fire
arms did not make the crowd finch
AS last resort the guards, following
the command of the sheriff, turned
their death-dealing weapons direc
upon the attacking party and pouret
volley of lead into it's midst.
The volley of six Winchester ball
brought death to Henry Mutchler, ,Jl
and Christian Matt. They fell lifeles
where they had stood helping in til
work of battering down the obstacle
TO the cell in which Martin lay, crouch
ing in fear of his life being taken ava,
before the judgment of the law. Th
bodies of the two men were carries
away by their comrades. This tragi
check only served to add to the fury O
the mob. The work of demolition wa
brought to a stop only because certail
members of the mob had gone from tn
scene Of lawlessness to secure dynamit
with which to destroy the jail and tn
hated inmates.