Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-26
LYNCHING ~ ILLINOIS.
Two Men Hanged for Assault Upon
Young Women.

DANVILLE. ILL. May 3.-Early this
morning a mob. which had been in pos
session Of Vermillion county jail several
hours, succeeded in locating John Halls
Jr., and William Boyce in their cells,
took them outside. and hanged them for
assaulting Miss Laura Barnett From
midnight when the crowd first made its
appearance at the jail-doors, until the vic
tins were reached there was a deter
mined, desperate struggle OF the frenzied
mob to mete out summary justice, bat
Ting against the heavy oaken doors
and iron bars, and occasionally halted by
the grim stand OF little band Of de-
tenders Of law and order, under the COM
mand OF Sheriff Thompson.
After repeated efforts TO break down
the outer jail-door with telephonepols
the crowd for a moment desisted In their
efforts 10 break into the Jail. Ed. Nc
Cusker stood on the tail-steps and adj
dressed the mob. begging. them to desist.
They laughed him down. Sheriff Thomp-
son. his wife. and Deputy-Sherift James
Sloan also bes0ught the mob 10 dispense.
Il. z. Barnett. the father OF the injured
girl, said 20 Mrs Thompson: Madame,
you never had daughter assaulted. Her
blood demands vengeance" His reply
was loudly applauded.
At2oclock Sheriff Thompson sent for
Judge Bookwalter, of the Circuit Court
who addressed the crowd from the jail
corridor. He made an earnest plea 10
let the law take its course. assuring the
men that Halls and Boyce would receive
severe punishment If found guilty and
that the tral-jury would do its duty.
But the leaders, who were among the
most prominent men In the county, replied:
Yes, we know the jury will convict them
and give them severe sentence, but Gov
ernor Altgeld will pardon them out. He
recently pardoned three brutes you sent
up from Champaign county for twenty
years. and will pardon these men. IL any
other man than Altgeld were Governor
we would not lynch these men, but we
are determined he will never have a chance
10 turn them loose" With these words
they again commenced work.
Sheriff Thompson, finding himself pow
erless to control the mob. telegraphed the
Governor, asking that militia be sent &c
his aid.
At 3l5 the mob secured both prisoners
and started them toward the bridge, with
ropes about their necks. They were hanged
almost upon the scene OF the crime.
The assault was made at 7:30 o'clock
Thursday evening on Miss Laura Bar
nett bl ildlls anu lDpgNFs Nil0o ifd4 AtNAi
In company with Lillian Draper, was
walking on the Vermillion-riyer bridge
at the foot OF Main street. When &C
costed by the two men the girls started
TO run. one man knocked Miss Barnett
down. Miss Draper made her escape
I'D Main street Her shrieks collected a
crowd. which started in pursuit OF Halls
and Boyce. The latter dragged Miss Bar
nett with him. They passed John
Downs, an old man, who attempted
to interfere. lie was knocked down by
Halls.
The two assailants took the girl
through fields to a river bottom, where
Miss Barnett was found at 1880 in an un-
conscious condition.
Both young women belong to respectable
families.
LATER.-When the two men were taken
out Of the Jail they were marched, with
ropes around their necks, through Main
street. to the bridge where they assault
| ed the girl. Here long delayed ensued
Boyce wanted his father sent for, and
begged his captors 20 wait for his coming
He was INDUCED in this until day com
! menced 10 break, at $40. Then the
lynchers became impatient and refused
| any further delay. Boyce's last words
were: 81 am innocent, but | am prepared
| TO die. l have made my peace with
| God" Halls said: Those are my senti
ments, but l am not ashamed OF what
| have done"
Ropes were fastened 10 the bridge-rail
| ing and the boys were asked 10 jump
| They refused. Several men then seizeC
each OF them and cast them over the rail
| The ropes were fifteen feet long. stout. and
well tied. After severe bodily commissions
| for about ten minutes life appeared to be
extinct. Theirs faces were not covered
| They were hanged ten feet apart on tbs
same side OF the bridge. Their bodies
were cut down at o'clock and taken 70
| an undertakers Office. where an inquest
| Is being held.
Miss Barnetts condition is reported as
| very serious.