The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-06-01
Henson, the Howard County Muir
derer, Lynched.

Jacob Henson. the Young eolOred man who
was tried and convicted in the Howard County
Court and sentenced TO be hanged on June :.
was taken from the Ellieott City jail st a few
minutes after u o clock Tuesday morning aud
hanged TO the Inns Of dogwood tree.
The lynching was the work Of about fifteen
determined men. who thus avenged the muir
der of Daniel F. Shea. which was one OF the
most.bruial crimes ever committed in that
section The lynehers feared that the Gov
ernor might be induced 10 interfere and com
mute the dead mans sentence to life impris-
onment.
The grounds for this apprehension came
from the recent repeated visits 10 the Jail Of
one or two specialists in mental diseases to
inquire into HensOn's sanity and the reported
intention Of Governor Brown himself 10 90
out there for the same purpose one day this
week.
Four doctors examined him Monday after
noon. These were DR. /. G. Smart, Of Shep
pard Asylum; DIR. Charles G. Hill, Of Mt.
Hope Retreat; DIR. r. w. Dashiell and DIR.
VIM. Lee. members Of the State lunacy com
mission. They had concluded Henson sane
and responsible, but had not reported.
The night was exceedingly dark. Al the
iail a few Of the lynchers wore hoods. others
had ON long garments that hung over their
heads and down to their waists, and others
still improvised disguise with nothing more
than a pocket handkerchief
HensoR's cell was the first to the left in
front. He was locked in behind the iron
bars Of the corridor, as well as the door of his
CELL
The door which the family Of Warden Lilly
use was battered down with a stout piece of
iron. The noise did not arouse the prisoner
In his cell, nor was he awakened until the lock
on his door gave way under the blows Of the
sledge hammer. As the lynehers rushed in
he screamed to them to have mercy on him.
He was taken, after being bound and gagged,
to Merriek's lane, beyond Patapsco Heights,
and there was hanged to dogwood tree.
Henson nearly told what he did with his
victims money. He walked nearly ali the
way to the place of his execution, but tainted
toward the last aud was dragged and carried.
The jail =tas in charge of obt. II. HOLMAN,
who was oyerpowered when he appeared from
his bedroom Guards were stationed in and
around the prison. The warden's family
begged the men not TO hang the culprit in the
jail, and they took him away.
Mr. Shea was murdered for his money in
his store on the night of Tuesday, February
10. Henson was in his employ and had been
treated with great kindness. The crime was
fastened upon him in a full and voluntary
confession made to Detective Herman Pohler,
who worked up the case, on Thursday night
following. Henson $ trial and conviction took
place at the March term Of court.
Henson in his confession stated that he had
gained entrance into the store of his employer
about the time Of closing, which was little
before 9 o. clock. He strr,ck his victim with
a Ratchet, which he picked mp from the floor;
Then he locked and barred the front door and
hacked the head of Mr.. Shea as he lay in the
corner. Henson declared he did not remem
Der how many times he struck, but twenty-five
distinct gashes were counted when the mnr
dered man was prepared for burial.