New-York tribune., 1896-12-08
A DOUBLE LYNCHJNG N MISSOURI.
BOTH VICTIMS WHITE MEN-AN UNMAsKED MOB
OF HUNDREDS.

BOTH VICTIMS WHITE MEN-AN UNMAsKED MOB
OF HUNDREDS.
Lexington Mo. Dec. About o'clock this
morning large mob OF men from Ray County
came int town for the purpose OF lynching Jesse
Winner and James Nelson who were confined
here the charge of numbering Mrs. Winner and
her two babies near Richmond Mo-. on October 20
They broke into jail with little difficulty and
speedily accomplished their object OF melting out
punishment the alleged mufderers. Lon
Lackey who was also confined In the jail under a
charge Of completely In the murder. was taken
back to Richmond Saturday. which alone saved
his life. he would certainly have been lynched
with the Others. The probabilities are that ven
geance will be meted out to him later. The mob
composed of 30 men. all unmaskcd They
overpowered the jaier and his guards and de-
manded the keys to the cell that Nelson and Win
ner were locked In. but were refused. The doors
were then battered down and the prisoners tied
and led The leader Of the mob was asked
where he going 10 hang them and he said
that they were going 10 Ray County so that
Lafayette would not have to bear the expense OF
buryng them Winner came out trembling with
fear Nelson said not word. but clearly showed
that he not afraid. Both men pleaded with
the mob for their lives and asserted their inno-
cence.
Standing before Almighty God. swear never
murdered my wife" said Winner.
Il swear I'm inocent." added Nelson.
But the mob paid attention to the pleadings.
The bodies were found this morning. half mile
from the river in Ray County. hanging to an oak
tree Their hands were tied behind their backs.
and they were swinging from the same limb Mel
sons feet barely touched the ground. Hundreds
Of people nocked to the scene OF the lynching 10
view the dead bodies. which were allowed TO hang
until after . o'clock.
Several attempts were made to lynch Winner ana
Iackcy while they in the Jail at Richmond.
which led to their removal here for safe-kecping
Nelson had been In Jail here since Saturday.
having been arrested ON the strength Of a confcs-
sion made by Miss Maggie katron. who made n
sworn statement that She Winner. l.ackey ana Ncl-
son committed the murder. -
The mob crossed the river at II O'Clock in skifs
At 1:3O o'clock they rccroSsed with the prisoners
and hanged them The mob made
effort TO conceal the identity OF its members, and
overcoat worn by the leader is in the possession Of
one OF the deputies. The majority OF the MOB were
Young men. IT is said here that II was the inten-
ton OF the mob TO burn Nelson and Winner win
ner admitted to a prisoner in the Jail last night
that he was guilty - :, -,
evidence sufficient 10 Identify some OF tho members
of the mob, and have the names OF many others.
also property belonging TO some or them lf II Is
the last act OF my life expect 10 bring the per
nntrators 10 Justice and shall request the assist
ance OF the Attorney General and all the power
clcs against the law are punished and the con-
spirators brought to justice. They treated one Of
fcer Ike brute. and showed that they had as
lille roga rd for law they claim had the alleged
Saturday night some of them would now be in the
hands OF the undertakcrs or In the Lafayette Coun-
" Jal The officers did their full duty. but were
HELPLESS under the circumstances