The Cape Girardeau Democrat., 1897-06-12

Harvey Bell, OF CrDana, Snot IN the heau anu
instantly killed
Upton Baker farmer. He leaves widow
and four children.
The Wounded.
John Wank, of Urbana, shot in the hip; IA
tally wounded.
Dr. Chas. Thompson, OF North Levisburg,
shot in the head.
Dennis Graney, OF Crbana, shot in the right
foot.
Sherman s. Deaton. prosecuting attorney Of
Urbana shot in the hip
Gus WeSier, of Urbana, shot in the face.
VIM. Elliott, superintendent OF the electric
light plant of Urbana. shot in the face.
Ray DickerSon, of Cable, shot in the shoul'
der.
VIM. Mcclure, of Urbana, shot in the arm.
James Bowen, OF Cable, shot in the left hip
Dan Graney, of Urbana, shot in the groin
URBANA, o. June with threaten
ing scenes on the streets and about the
public square all night it was 1:S0 a.
IN. when the first attack of the citizens
was made on the Jail and the military
began firing. Over 30 shots were
poured into the crowd and the mob was
repulsed with deadly results, leaving
two killed and ten wounded. Most of
the wounded persons were innocent
spectators, beyond the lines of the
mob. Bell and Baker were killed
instantly and when their bodies were
picked up in the courthouse square it
made the crowd furious. After the
dead and wounded were cared for the
crowd rallied.
1t was daylight soon after 4 a. m.
and the streets were crowded with
working men and others long before Z
a. IN. Everybody in the city was out
when the lynching occurred, and in the
bright daylight no masks were worn.
The local militia had been on duty two
nights, and they did the shooting.
Gov. Bushnell had been asked for more
troops during the night, and before Z
a. IN. a company from Springfield ar
rived. just then the local company
was withdrawn from the Jail.
Mayor Ganson met the Springfield
company en- route from the depot and
sent these troops back, saying they
were not wanted. The mob, seeing
the way open, then secured a large
sledge hammer and broke for the Jail.
The hammer was not needed, as
Sheriff McLain delivered the keys and
the crowd soon found Mitchelrs cell.
Throwing a rope over Mitchelfs head,
he was dragged out, receiving some
kicks and blows. When the outer
door was reached the moose slipped off,
and Sylvester Zimmerman tied it SO Sc
curely as to receive the cheers of the
crowd.
The rope was thrown over one of the
limbs of tree in the courthouse yard,
Mitchell was jerked up until his head
struck the limb and his neck was
broken, and then his body dropped to
the ground. The crowd repeated the
Jerking several times until they were
sure he was dead. While the body of
Mitchell was lying on the ground hun
dreds crowded about to see it.
The colored people were greatly ex-
cited. They had previously met and
adopted resolutions for the punishment
of Mitchell, but many of them talked
about him being not guilty. Women
and children, as well as multitude of
men, witnessed the lynching. There
was no attempt at disguise or secrecy.
The assemblage in the public square
was as open as any public meeting that
had ever been. held in that place. The
local militia company feeling the over
wheiming public feeling against them,
offered no resistance when the mob
entered the Jail or when the lynch
ing was gong on, and the Springfield
| company had been countermarched to
the depot.
An hour or more after the lynching
MitchelFs body was picked up and
| placed in a rough coffin, but still left
under the tree. where hundreds of peo-
pie continued to view it. The wretch
died without a struggle, as his neck
was evidently broken by the first jerk.
Gov. Bushnell arrived here tonight
| to investigate the troubles and espe-
cially the action of the troops. While
| the Urbana company is overwhelmed
with local sentiment against their ac-
| ton, they are also liable for abandon
| ing their post of duty. Capt. Leonard
withdrew the guards about a. m. and
the Springfield company took orders
from the mayor instead of the sheriff
when they turned back from the court
| house.
Gov. Bushnell was attending N en-
encampment at Wooster last night,
and was met by a delegation from here
on his return to Columbus this after
noon. These citizens from Urbana
asked for the protection by troops OF
Sheriff McLain, against whose life
threats have been freely made during
the afternoon, and if he were here to-
night it is believed that there would
be trouble again.
It learned tonight that Sheriff
McLain and Capt. Leonard left this
afternoon at the request of citizens
who feared they were in danger of vio-
lerce tonight. They took supper at
Springfield and left at 7:SO on the Big
Four express for Cincinnati. but would
not tell where they were going.
After the fatalities of the night it is
known that Sheriff McLain and Capt
Leonard decided bv daylight there
ueed be no more shooting.