The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-08-20
SWIFT JUSTICE
WAS METED OUT
Orderly Band Of Determined CitiIens
Hang a Wretch in Idaho With
out Authority Of Law.
AN UNFORTUNATE OUTRAGE
Mss Mary Richardson While travelling Alone
on nOrsebass. Attacked By an Indian
and CriminalIy Asssulted-The
Crime Speedily Avenged.

Spokane. August 19.--A special to the
Spokesman-Review from Lewiston. Ida
no. August 10. says that Frank Biles. a
half-breed Indian from the Neg Perce
reservation was taken from the Asotln
jail at II O'Clock last night and hanged
by a mob OF Indignant citizens. His
crime was the criminal outrage Of Miss
Mary Richardson, a young woman IL
years Of age Miss Richardson, whose
home is in Enterprise, Oregon, was IN
delicate health. and had been visiting
friends in this vicinity. Yesterday she
started from Lewiston for Asotin.
She rode horseback and was unattend-
ed. On the road she was overtaken
by Biles and two Indians from the
reservation They passed her. but In
a little while Biles left the other In
dams and rode back to the unfortu-
nate young lady. Riding alongside her
he grabbed the horses bride and at
tempted 10 lead the animal away from
the road into some bushes. She resist
ed. and sprang from the horse and ran
screaming from the villain BiIes ran
after her caught her by the dress,
lourished a revolver and threatened
to kill her. He then dragged her into
the bushes, and in spite Of the fierce
resistance Of his victim, succeeded IN
his damnable purpose. The vile deed
accomplished. he left his victim. re-
mounted his horse. and rode on to Aso-
tin Miss Richardson, weak, and trem-
bling with horror and Indignation.
made her way to the roadside, where
she was found by Mr.. VanArsdale.
who was passing in his buggy. He
took her to Asotin. where she told her
story. The news Of the outrage spread
like wildfre. and officers Immediately
went in search of the criminal. They
found him in an Indian camp in the
outskirts Of Asotin and placed him in
jail. Meanwhile. indignant and deter
mined men were gathering Tor ven
geance They took Miss Richardson
before the prisoner, and she promptly
identified him as the villain who had
outraged her. They then satisfied
themselves of the entire responsibility
and truthfulness of the young lady.
The next step was to have two local
physicians testify as TO the nature OF
the outrage. BY this time dusk had
deepened into darkness About II
o'clock an orderly and determined band
of about thirty citizens marched to the
jail and demanded the keys of the
jailer That official refused to comply.
and the keys were taken from him by
force. The determined band then went
to the jail. unlocked the door, took out
the prisoner. and carefully relocked
the door To prevent the escape Of an
other inmate held for horse-stealing.
and then returned the keys to the
jailer
The Jail is surrounded by high
board fence. Across one corner of this
a long. stout pole was laid A rope
was then noosed around the neck Of
the culprit, the other end thrown over
the pole, and many stout and willing
arms quickly drew up the dangling
body. The rope was secured, and the
party remained in the jail-yard until
all question of the death of the prisoner
had beer removed. From the first 10
the last Bles was sullen and refused
to make any statement.