The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-06-05
SOLDIERS FIRED ON MOB
TWO KILLED AND MANY WOUNDED
IN Il RIOT.

Urbnna Jail stormed-Mob Finally Car
ried the Place and Lynchod Click
Mitchell.
Urbana, O., June 4.-The mob that for
two days threatened the jail in this
place, in which "Click" Mitchell, the
negro assailant of Mrs. F. NJ. Gaumer,
was confined, last night attacked the
building. The militia, which was
guarding the prisoner, fired on the
crowd and killed two men and wound
ed about ten others. Those who were
killed were Harry Bell and a man of
the name Of Higgins.
The mob threatened the jail all day
yesterday, but Sheriff McLain believed
that with the local militia company.
which was called out on Wednesday
night, he would be able to overawe the
mob and get Mitchell out of the town,
The negro was secretly taken to the
court house disguised as a soldier and
under a strong escort at $3.50 O'Clock,
and was sentenced to twenty years I'M
prisonment, He was got back to the
jail. Sheriff McLain planned TO take
him to Columbus on g. midnight train.
The citizens got word of this somehow
and became greatly excited. The news
quickly spread and by midnight a
crowd of 1900 men was gathered in the
streets about the Jail The local militia
10 IN, T,h0n-
ard was under arms inside the build
ing.
The mob kept cautiously edging
nearer and nearer the jail as the hours
passed. The leaders, were determined
that Mitchell should not be taken out
of town. At about 2:30 o'clock some or
the more venturesome men mounted
the steps and attacked the door with
sledge hammers.
Captain McLain called to them from
a window to desist, and warned them
that his men would have to fire on
them. In reply the mob made a rush
for the Jail and began battering in the
doors and windows. The militia fired.
The volley resulted in Bell being shot
through the head and Higgins through
the body, both being killed instantly
Dennis Graney of Urbana was shot in
the right foot. DR.. Charles Thompson
of North Lewisburg received slight
wound on the forehead.
Wesley Bowen of Gable was shot In
the hip and wounded seriously. Ray
Dickinson, living near the city, was
shot in the shoulder. Ray Mcclure OF
Urbana was shot through the right
arm. Gus Weiser, who was standing in
the street, received slight wound in
the face John Bank was shot in the
arm.
Ralph McComb was shot in the arm
The volley staggered the mob, which
broke and fed. The men did not be.
lieve that the militiamen, who were al
citizens of the town, would fire or
them.
The firing aroused the whole town
The greatest excitement prevailed. AT
ter having recovered from the panic
caused by the firing the mob became
more determined than ever. Its mum.
bers were increased to 5000 and anoth,
er attack was made on the jail. This
was at daylight.
Previously Captain McLain tele
graphed to Governor Bushnell for aid
and preparations were made to sent
several companies from Springfield
reached here too late.
When the mob attacked the Jail {
second time the militia made no effor
to save the negroes life. The mol
broke into the Jail, seized Mitchell
dragged him to the courthouse yart
and hanged him to tree. Among thu
lynchers were many of the most prom
inent citizens Of the town.
Mrs Gaumer, upon whom the negr'
committed the assault which led t.
the lynching, is lying at her home II
a woeful condition and is praying TO
death to relieve her from what sh
considers disgrace. She is completed.
Frustrated from the nervous shock ant
is in hysterical condition. but it /
thought she will recover
It is understood she was in the ne
gro's power for over half an hour an
was prevented from crying out to tn
neighbors by a shawl which he wrap
ped around her head when ne first at
tackled her. He tore her clothing of
and in the struggle scratched an
bruised her badly. He also bit he
about the neck and breast. She is sal
to be about forty-five years old, SINAI
and handsome, and is well spoken O
by everybody here as lady of cultur
and character. She cannot be seen, bu
her son Charles, about twenty, state
that she received the news of tn
lynchlng with every manifestation o
satisfaction. but expressed regret TO
the killing of innocent people at the ja
last night.