The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-16
including Osgood, Milan, Correct and some
may have been from this place.
WORK OF THE ROBBERS.

with cattle or loads of farming products and
next morning they would be found along
the roadside suffering from a wound and
minus the proceeds of their sale. Old Ger
man farmers have been visited and both
men and women have been subjected to
all the tortures that a hardened mind
could stand. Aged German women have
been forced to stand upon red-hot stove
in an effort to compel them to disclose the
hiding place of some treasure in the house.
These depredations have continued unceas-
ingly. Arrests have been made, but the
guilty parties had covered up their lawless-
ness, and it was seldom that convictions
followed. During the past week robberies
had increased alarmingly. On last Satur-
day word was received by the sheriff that
the store of Woolley Bros at Correct,
Ind, ten miles from here, was to be en-
tered. Information was given by Pete Hos
tutler, a supposed member of the gang,
who had been hired to get in with them.
Sheriff Henry Bushing arranged that this
informant should accompany them, and,
securing five deputies, including County
Treasurer Johnson, they went to the
place. Sheriff Bushing concealed him
self in the cellar, while his deputies
were stationed at a convenient distance
outside. Shortly after midnight the gang
reached Woolley's store. Clifford Gordon
and Hostutler were designated to break
into the building. Gordon himself effected
an entrance and just as he stepped inside
the sheriff grabbed him. Both pulled pis-
tolls at the same time and began firing
Bert Andrews was with the robbers out
side and he, too, joined in the fight, while
sheriff. Some thirty shots were fired. The
sheriff was shot through the hand and Cor
don was shot several times. Gordon and
Andrews succeeded in escaping and re-
rested. The robbers had driven out to the
place in a buggy belonging to Lyle Levi
and from information subsequently gath
cred it was learned that the robbery had
been planned at the home of William Jen-
kins. While the citizens have not been
able to fix the various robberies upon these
men they were thought to be part of a
gang that has committed most of them
When it became known that they were in
jail. it was quietly suggested by the VIC
TINS and sympathizers that Justice" be
summarfIv dealt the nrisoners
VERSAILLES UNDER GUARD.
Two men were left in jail-Charles Kelly
aged fourteen, for burglary, and Arthur
McIillen, for carrying concealed weapons
The latter was let out tonight on bond
McAIillen says three of the prisoners were
killed in the Jail and one of the others al
most killed there. The mob came very near
taking McAIillen out.
Tonight the Jail is as quiet as the hum
blest residence. Besides the one lone pris-
oner. Kelly, the only occupants are Deputy
Jailer William e. Kenan and his guard,
William Black. But while the Jail is SO
lightly guarded it does not follow that the
excited little town is asleep without patrol.
Marshal John e. Tyler, with twenty-five
deputies, is alert against any possible sur
prise, and every road running into town is
picketed. This precaution is not taken in
anticipation of a second visit by the regula-
tors. The danger apprehended is from
another quarter, the friends of the lynched
men. No private citizen of Versailles prob
Il ;oIn
the danger dreaded is arson, there being
rumors of threats on the part of the friends
of the men who were mobbed to even up
matters by applying the torch to the jail
and courthouse. The public officers are also
threatened. That is why this little city is
disturbed tonight and under the closest
guard. If trouble comes it is expected from
Osgood The feeling between the two places
is of the bitterest and the opinion ex-
pressed here tonight is that there are
plenty of others in Osgood who deserve the
same fate of the five found dangling to
limbs this morning.
The coroner's verdict will be that the five
men came to their death at the hands of
a mob. the members of which are unknown.
ANOTHER STORY.
An Associated Press dispatch says: At
a. M a skyrocket went up south of own.
That was the first signal. Then there was
a skyrocket went UP north of town, fol-
lowed by others from the other two sides,
and the march to the jail proceeded, as or
derby as a regular army, tin the men met
from all parts of the county at the Jail.
The distance had been carefully arranged
on each side of town so that they were
about equal, and the mobilization caused no
delay. The programme had been so care
fully prepared and carried out that there
was no delay at the Jail or anywhere.
William Lockhardt lives near the elm tree
where the men were hung. lie saw the
crowd, heard all they said as ne stood by
his window He saw the skyrockets and
then heard the marching. He heard the
shooting at the Jail and describes the cries
Of the prisoners as heartrending as they
were dragged along. Wien the crowd came
out of the Jail he recognized the voice of a
prominent citizen give the command:
Ready, forward, march,
Then the crowd rounded nm around the