The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-06

prisoner but of town when he was first
taken TO JAIL but the sheriff neglected to do
so. The mayor states there would have
been no trouble then. Concerning the mill
TIA, he says: II do not understand that
the Governor refused troops, as several
companies were held in reserve. The
springfield militia, after a consultation
With the sheriff, moved two blocks away
from the jail to be in readiness II needed.
mere was no expectation OF the lynchlng
taxing place at the time. the crowd, at
my request partially dispersed as soon as
the Springfield militia started to march
away: AT the time Of the lynching the
sheriff and his deputies, together with
twenty of our county militia, were IN the
jail on guard. ] left the jail some little
time before the lynching. The sheriff had
full charge of the military as Wen as the
prisoner. Any part took in the matter
shed and also to prevent lynching II posi-
ernor.''
1t is thought there is court-martial in
store for somebody over the nonparticlpa-
ton of the Springfield militia company Il
was in the city accompanied by Colonel
Anthony of the regiment and, instead OF
participating in the guarding OF the JAN,
marched away from the scene under the
advice of Mayor Canon. The company is
said to have been at the depot awaiting
train home while the lynching was gong
on. Colonel Anthony will, no doubt, have
to explain. The Springfield company was
ordered to report to the sheriff. 1t marched
to the Jail but had no consultation with
the sheriff, he did not appear and there
al
thoriZed to speak for him in telling 1t TO
retire from the scene. Captain Leonard
and the local company will no DOUBT nave
to explain why they ceased to resist aIter
firing into the mob and somebody Will nave
to explain how the keys happened 70 De
dropped onto the hall floor from upstairs
after the mob had broken in the outside
doors The sheriff and militia Were up
there at the time. The sheriH PLAINLY stated
before leaving the city that he ana the
troops retired to the upstairs portion Oh
the Jail and quit offering any resistance
simply because he was unWilllnS 70 Shool
down any more citizens. There Will no
doubt be a military Investigation as 10
whether the captain acted under the may
ors orders in the matter 1T Is sa1u Ine
local company, being composed OF Urbana
boys who cried over the shooting OF tnelr
felow-citzenS, earlier in the morning, az.
solutely refused to shoot again. Inc sherlH
denies responsibility for the snoctng ana
so does the captain. On the other mana,
the citizens assert that the sheriff himself
fired the first shot. He asserts that al
least five shots were fired into the JAN from
from the inside.
Adjutant Axline, colonel Charles An
thony and Adjutant Charles Startzeman,
of the Third Reeiment, reached the city
tonight. They were in consultation with
and aayoi Deputy Sheriff Miller. General
Axline stated that they came over
to look after the property. of the state
and make some investigations as 10 the
cause of the firing of the militia. he also
inquired as to the danger to the oncefS
He felt that the guards were acting under
orders and wanted them to return lie was
told by the officials that in their OPINION
the feeling was not sufficient against the
General Axline visited the scenes or the
troubles and conversed with number OF
citizens in regard to the officers. He re-
turned to Columbus this evening,