The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-15

BISMARCK, n. D., Nov. I4.-Alex Coud
OF. an Indian halfbreed; Paul Holytraek
and Philip Ireland fail-bIooded Indians,
the first OF whom was sentenced 10 death
for the murder Of six members of the
Spieer family last February. and who has
just been granted a new trial by the su-
preme court. and the Latter two self-con-
fesstd accessories in the murder, We're
taken from the county jail IN Emmons
county last night and lynched by mob.
The lynching had apparently been coolly
planned and was carried out without a
break. Sudden and swift retribution was
meted out. Wliiiamsport. where The hang
ing took place, is about forty miles from
this city aad off the railroad. The news
OF the lynching was received here this af-
ternoon.
The men had been under the custody of
Deputy Sheriff Tom Kelly. They were
taken from him by the mob and hanged to
a beef windlass several yards from the
jail Their bodies were ieft hanging dur
ing the entire day, the coroner not having
arrived and no one else volunteering to cut
them down.
About forty men were concerned in the
lynchng. They rode into Will!amsport on
horseback late at night and tethered their
horses a short distance from the city. that
they might secure them again as speedily
as necessary after the deed WAS done. The
jail is a substantial stone structure ana
was In charge Of Deputy Sheriff Thomas
Kelly. Since the confinement OF the pris-
oners there, SO great has been the fear that
they might escape in some way that one
man has watched the prisoners all night
Last night Kelly was on watch
There was meeting of the lodge OF
Woodmen in building near the jail, ana
as Kelly was a member he expected 10
meet some of the members OF the lodge
after the meeting had adjourned. TO
while away the time during the night
hours he was playing solitaire in front
of the cells in which the murderers were
confined. About 2 O'Clock in the morn
ing there was a rap at the outer door of
the jail and Kelly arose quickly and
turned the key In the lock. thinking that
the persons he expected to meet had ar
rived.
No sooner had he opened the door than
the mob crowded into the corridors. All
OF them were masked. and the leaders
carried ropes. Kelly at once realized
what the mob had come after. The
lynchers were quiet, but determined. The
leaders presented a revolver a the head
of the deputy sheriff and told him they
wanted his prisoners, and demanded that
ne open their cells Kelly demurred, but
saw that resistance was useless and un-
locked the door.
gether and the other in separate cell
They had been aroused from sleep by
the entrance OF the woud-be iynchers
ard sat UP half awake and trembling
with terror. Holytrack and Ireland were
pulled from their beds. ropes were fast
cncd about their necks and they were
dragged out on The ground after being
yuld 20 prepare for death.
The men were then dragged 10 A huge
beef windlass, which Rad been erected To
suspend the cafcasses Of slaughtered
beeyes, and strung up on a cross beam
Coudot was the first man 10 be hanged
1t Is reported that he was asked before
he WAS hanged whether Rlackhawk and
Defender had also been concerned in the
murder for which he was about 10 be
hanged. He answered in the affirmative
The rope which had been fastened about
has neck was then thrown over a cross
beam and he was suspended In nlid-afr
liolytrack and Ireland were so nearly
unconsc!ous from the effects Of the drag
eiugflna5 they did rot realize what was
about Ia happen. when the ropes about
their necks were tossed over the same
beam. They were nable 10 stand and
wFre slowly raised from the ground on
which they lay. until their bodies swung
IN the air and daagled from the wind
lass WIKI that of Coudot.
The mob then dispersed mounting THAR
au.ses and riding away