The news & observer., 1897-06-06
Soldiers Flee in Panic From
Urbana's Mob.
SHERIFF BURNS THE WIND
WEIGHING THE DANGERS TO
THE SOLDIERS OF RETURNING
CHARGE AND COUNT ER-CHARGE
Sheriff and Soldiers and Citizens All
Trying to Place Responsibility of
Shooting DifferentIy--T Me-
gro Lynched is Secreted.

Urbana Ohio, June 5.-Instead of
negro dangling from tree in the most
prominent street corner, the excited popu-
lace thronging the streets, the military
and sheriff hiding in the county jail, the
spectacle of a peaceful community, a
fleeing sheriff, a missing captain and a
military company making themselves
scarce is presented Nothing is known OF
the whereabouts of Sheriff McLaln ana
Capt. Leonard. 1t is the general under
standing that the sheriff drove to Spring
field and nobody outside the captain
circle of immediate friends know where
he went 1t was reported last evening
that a mob of $50 was organized to go
to Springfield after the sheriff and such
word went to Springfield, having the eff
feet, it is said, of driving the sheriff OIL
to Dayton. He is universally condemned
by the people and held responsible for
the shooting of citizens by the militia.
The citizens insist that he was alto-
gether too officious in this matter and
should have refrained from ordering out
the troops.
As for the captain, he is condemned
for ordering the soldiers to fire, and the
crowd of their fellow citizens. After their
escape from the Jail the members of the
company have not dared show their faces
ND the street and many of them have left
the city. A livery man took a timid
squad of them to Springfield.
Their troubles are not over with yet.
Some of the wounded claim to know who
shot them and several thrashings are laid
mp. 1t is reported that the father of
Harry Bell, who was killed, threatens
to kill Capt. Leonard ON sight.
The son was an unmarried man, aged
about 20 years and broom maker by
occupation. Baker, the other man killed,
was about 81 years old and married. He
was farmer, being attendant on farm
north of the city. He leaves wife and
five small children.
The body of "Click" Mitchell, the
rapist, has been secreted. Before being
removed from the court house yard relic
hunters had nearly cut the coat off of the
dead man. Every button was gone and
even his shoes and stockings were taken
off and carried away. Mayor G. III. Gan
son states that the tragedy Of night be-
fore last and the lynching were entirely
uncalled for. He urged the sheriff to
get the prisoner out of town when he
was uFSC bdkeu W JAN. Uul Tic SuSlin
neglected to do so.
The Springfield company was ordered
to report to the sheriff They marched
to the jail, but had no consultation with
the sheriff, as he did not appear, and
there is question whether the mayor
was authorized to speak for him in tell
ing them to retire from the scene.
CAPTAIN Leonard and the local company
Mill dor,bf a tn QynlaIu WHY they
ceased to resist after firing into the mob
and somebody will have to explain how
the keys happened to be dropped down on
to the hall floor from upstairs after the
mob had broken in the outside door. The
sheriff and militia were up there at the
time.
The sheriff plainly stated before leav-
ing the city that he and the troops retir-
ed to the upstairs portion of the jail and
quit offering any resistance simply be-
cause he was unwilling to shoot down
any more citizens.
There will no doubt be military inves-
tigation as to whether the captain acted
undar the mayor's orders in this matter.
It is said the local company, being COM
nosed of JJrbana boys, who cried over the
shooting of their fellow citizens the pre-
vlOuS night ,dpsoiueciy AN
again.
The sheriff denies responsibility for the
shooting. and so does the captain. On the
other hand the citizens assert that Tue
sheriff himself fred the first shot
He asserts that at least five shots were
fred into the Jail from the outside oeIore
shot was fired out from the inside.
SOLDIERS SCENT DANGER.
Cincinnati. Ohio, June "a speclaf to
the Commercial Tribune from Urbana
saws: Adiutant General Axline. Coi.
Csbms Anthony and Adjutant Charles
Startzman. of the Third regiment,
reached the city tonight They were in
consultation with Mayor Ganson, Judge
Heiserman and Deputy Sherlh Miller
General Axline stated that they came
over to make some Investigations as 70
the course of the militia. lie also IN.
auired as to the danger to the officers ana
soldiers should they return to the CITY
He felt that the guards were acting un'
der orders and wanted them to return &c
the city. He was told by the officials that
in their opinion the feeling was not suffi
cient against the guards to make theiI
return dangerous. General Axline visited
the scene of the troubles and conversed
with a number of citizens in regard to
the officers. He returned to Columbus
this evening.