Evening journal., 1897-06-05
TROOPS FIRE ON MOB
In Protecting a Prisoner From
Violence Several Are Killed.
THE URBANA LYNCHING EPISODE.
After Being Repulsed by the Soldiers the
Crowd Rallies and Captures the
Prisoner and Hang Him toa
Tree In the Jailyard.

Urbana, o., June 5.-Four men were
killed and 10 wounded by shots fred by
company OF the Ohio national guard
in defense OF Charles Mitchell, in jail at
this place on the charge Of assaulting
a woman. In spite of the militia the
mob finally entered the Jail and lynch
ed the prisoner. All of the victims were
innocent citizens, who were spectators
Of the scene Of excitement. In addition
to this list it is feared that Mrs. Eliza
Gaumer. who was assaulted by the
negro, Will not recover, and several of
the injured are in a serious condition.
There is intense feeling against some
of the officials, and further complica-
tions are apprehended.
One week ago Mrs. Eliza Gaumer was
assaulted by Mitchell at her home in
this city, near the courthouse.
The negro was first held for robbery,
but on last Wednesday was arraigned
for criminal assault. Mrs. Gaumer was
unable to appear in court, and the hear
ing was held at her home. AS Mitchell
entered her room she exclaimed: The
brute. hang him. How dare you face
me again, you brute!"
Threats of Lynching.
Soon after the identification Wednes-
day at Mrs. Gaumer's home there
was talk of lynching. Crowds surround
ed the Jail that night, and the sheriff
and the local militia had trouble in
protecting the prisoner. Thursday a
grand jury was impaneled, and it soon
returned an indictment for criminal as
sault. Mitchell, disguised in a soldiers
uniform, was brought from Jail into
court. He waived the reading of the
Indictment pleaded guilty and was
promptly sentenced to 20 years in the
penitentiary, the maximum punishment
for his crime. An attempt was made
to take Mitchell to Columbus, but the
crowds which had gathered about the
courthouse made a rush for the Jail
when the wagon drew up. The militia
drove them back, but the mob increased
In numbers and grew more threatening.
Sheriff Mclean and the troops had all
they could do to hold the jail, and the
trip to Columbus was given up before
the departure of the last train.
In the meantime crowds had also
surrounded the depots so as to make
sure their man should not be taken
away. AS the night wore on the mob
increased, and the shouts and murmur-
nest. Inside of the Jail, the sheriff and
his deputies and one company of mill
tia were posted to the best advantage.
for It was apparent that grim work
would be necessary to protect the
wretch who covered in his cell as the
angry roar Of the mob surged and rose
on the air.
Early yesterday morning an attack
was made on the jail, and the military
began firing. over 20 volleys were
poured into the crowd. The mob was
repulsed, leaving four killed and 10
wounded. The range was close, but
the soldiers fired wildly. OF the killed
and wounded, nearly all were on the
outskirts of the mass of men. Those
Immediately in a direct line of fire es-
capped. The volley drove the crowd
back a little way, and it was found
that two men. named Higgins and Bell,
had been instantly killed. When their
bodies were picked up in the court
house square, 1t made the crowd furi-
Gus.
Second Attempt Successful.
After the dead and wounded were
cared for the crowd rallied and made a
second and this time successful attempt
70 capture the prisoner. The local mill
ltia had been on duty two nights, and
they did no more shooting. The mob
then broke for the jail. No force was
needed, as Sheriff Mclean delivered the
keys, and the crowd soon found Mitch
ellis cell. Throwing a rope over the
trembling wretchs head, he was drag.
ged out, receiving some kicks and
blows. When the outer door was
reached. the moose slipped off, and Syl
vester Zimmerman tied it so securely
as to receive the cheers of the crowd
The rope was thrown over one of the
limbs Of a tree in the courthouse yard
Mitchell was jerlked up until his head
struck the limb and his neck wa:
broken, and then his body dropped I,
the ground The crowd repeated tn,
jerking several times until they were
sure he was dead. While the body o
Mitchell was lying on the ground hun
dreds crowded about to see it. The col
ored people We're greatly excited. They
had previously met and adopted reso
lutions for the punishment OF Mitchell
but many of them offered the opinion
that he was not guilty. Women anS
children, as well as a multitude of men
witnessed the lynching, which occurre'
in broad daylight There was no at
tempt at disguise or secrecy.
Governor Bushnell has arrived her
to investigate the trouble and especiali
the action of the troops Governo
Bushnell was attending an encampmen
at Wooster and was met by a delega
tion from here on his return to Colum
bus. These citizens of Urbana ask
ed for protection by troops for Sheri
Mclean, against whose life threats ha
been freely made and If he was no,
here it is believed that there would b
serious trouble. Sheriff Mclean is no,
in Dayton. He escaped by the bac
door Of the Jail and claims that dyna
mite was being prepared to blow hii
up. In the excitement and bitterness
that prevails il is almost impossibl
60 get at the facts as to the respons
bility for the loss Of life, but it is ger
orally claimed that Sheriff Mclean OF
dered the troops to fire.
1t is believed that there will be
thorough investigation into the actio
of the mayor as well as that of II
sheriff and military officers.
Mrs. Gaumer, the victim of the Lynch
ed negro. is the widow Of a wen know
newspaper publisher. Her brothers-ir
law are d. II. Gaumer, publisher Of II