Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-28
REPULSED THE MOB
Attempt at Lynching at Tifin, Ohio, De-
feated.
Two of the Mob Shot by the Jail
Guurds-Nilftia Ordered to the
Scene by the Governor.

An attempt was made to lynch Lee J.
Martin. Police Marshal ShultZs slayer, at
Tiffin, Ohio, early yesterday morning. A
mob, composed of the worst specimens OF
law-defiers that any community could pro-
duca, attacked the jail Whisky had been
INDUCED in until they We're more like
wolves than human beings.
Two of the mob were shot dead by the
guards.
At $50 am. Governor Mckinley, who
had reached Columbus. was awakened in
his car by parties bearing message from
Sheriff Tannest of Seneca county that the
Jail there was surrounded by mob that
was threatening to lynch Martin. He at
once directed Sheriff Vannest to order out
the company of militia at Titiin and send
further particulars.
When the sheriff sent further informa-
ton Governor Mckinley ordered other
troops in readiness. Adjutant General j.
C. Howe was at his home in kenton. and
ordered out Of bed to Tiffin. Col. Bunker
of the sixth regiment composed or COM
panies in the neiShborhood of Tifiin, hap
pened to be visiting in Columbus, and was
hunted up and was soon in communication
with the governor. Soon after he had his
regiment under marching orders.
The troops were held in readiness till yes
terday when Governor Mckinley received
wcrd that the mob refused to believe that
Martin had been transferred to Jail in an
adjoining county, and that it was becom-
ing more threatening than ever. The Sheriff
wired that the crowd threatened TO blow
up the Jail, although three different COM
mitteeS of their own selection could not find
the prisoner in any of the cells.
1t was feared then that the mob would
become incensed because the prisoner had
been spirited away and the purpose of the
lynche-s thwarted.
Then the militia from Fostoria, kenton,
Clyde. Fremont. four companies. were
ordered to Tiffin. Last night Governor Me-
Kinley received advices from Gen. Howe
and Sheriff Vannest that the four COM
panies that had arrived, together with the
Tiffin company. were able to protect the
Jail, but it was still feared that there might
be trouble.
The Attack Repulscd.
About 10 yesterday morning six men
gathered on the lawn about the Jail and
thirty others joined them. Then whistle
was heard, and out of an alley on the OPP
posite side of the street, and little to the
west rushed fully three hundred more, the
leaders carrying rope and several sledge-
hammers, with which to accomplish their
work. AS the mob made the rush toward
the Jail they yelled like savages.
squad of policemen stationed on the
steps were whisked to one side as though
they We're so many straws. The mob went
direct to the side entrance. When entrance
was gained there was wild rush and the
hallway was filed with excited men.
Sheriff Vannest appealed to them to dis
perse. The entrance to the corridor is first
protected by heavy sheet-iron door. The
lock was broken off with a few blows, and
there remained the heavy grating.
Then it was that the guards, who were
in that portion, began to fire. The guards
said no shot was fired by them until the
attacking party fired.
Henry Mutschler, the first man killed,
was the one who carried the rope. Then
Christian MatZ received a bullet through
his heart. This awed the Woud-be lynch
ers and they left, cursing wilder than
ever. Vic Findone, young Italian, left
with the intention of getting dynamite, but
he never put in an appearance afterward.
While in the midst of the attack Vindone
rushed upon a daughter of the sheriff and
threatened to kill her. Another fellow held
a revolver close to the heart of Andrew
Greer, one-armed son-in-law of the
sheriff. and pulled the trigger, but it missed
fire, and the next instant the one fist of
Greer felled the would-be assassin to the
floor. The sheriff's family were upstairs,
and one of the mob seeing them at the
head of the stairs, rushed viciously at
them, but some one threw him headlong to
the bottom.
Between and o'clock, after the mob
had moved further down the street, the
prisoner was taken through side door and
then to a side alley, where a carriage was
in waiting. Police Captain Falkner and
Officer Sweeney took him to Sandusky
county as fast as the horses could carry
them.