The Springfield herald., 1897-06-11
AN OHIO LYNCInNG.
JRsANA THE SCENE OF vio-
LENCE.
After tho Militia Had shot Several clti-
zens They Allowed Mitchell, the Negro
to BE Taken and Hanged.

Urbana, o., June In riot here at
2:30 this morning four lives were lost
| and ten citizens were wounded. Al
7:30 a. m. Charles Mitchell (colored),
! the cause of all the trouble was taken
from the jail by infuriated citizens and
lynched. J1l f...
| The two previous nights and yester-
day predicted the gravest danger, but
no such results anticipated us those
within the five hours from 2:3O to 80
a. IN to-day. Including the brutal
Mitchell there are five dead and ten
wounded. All of the victims were in
nocent citizens, who We're spectators on
the scene of the excitement, except
Mitchell. In addition to this list, it is
feared that Mrs Eliza Gaumer. who
was criminally assaulted by the negro,
will not recover, and several Of the In
jured are in serious condition.
Most OF the wounded persons were
innocent spectators, beyond the lines of
the mob. Bell and Higgins were kill
ed instantly and when their bodies
were picked up in the court house
square. 1t made the crowd furious.
After the dead and wounded were
cared for, the crowd rallied 1t was
daylight soon after a. m, and the
streets were crowded with working
Everybody in the city was out when
the lynching occurred and in the bright
daylight no masks We're worn. The To-
cal militia had been OIL duty two nights
and they did the shooting. Governor
Bushnell had been asked for more
troops during the night. and before
n. m. company from Springfield had
arrived. Just then the local company
was withdra wn from the Jail. Mayor
Ganson met the Springfield company
en- route from the depot and sent these
troops back, saying they were not
wanted. rt
The mob. seeing the way open, then
secured large sledge hammer and
broke for the jail. The hammer was
not needed, as Sheriff McIain delivered
the keys and the crowd soon found Nit
chell's cell. Throwing rope over
Mitchell's head. he was dragged out.
receiving some kicks and blows. When
the outer door was reached the moose
slipped off. and Sylvester Zimmerman
then tied 1t so securely as to receive
the cheers of the crowd.
The rope was thrown over one of the
limbs of a tree in the court house yard.
Mitchell was jerked up till his head
struck the limb. and his neck was brok-
en-, and then his body dropped to the
ground. The crowd repeated the jerk
ing several times until they were sure
he was dead. While the body of
Mitchell was lying on the ground
hundreds crowded about the place. Col
ored people We're greatly excited.
They had previously made resolutions
for the punishment of Mitchell. but
many of them talked about him not be
ing guilty. Women and children. as
well as a multitude of men. Witnessed
the lynching. There was no attempt
at disguise or secrecy. The assemb-
lage in the public square was as open
MS any public meeting that had ever
been held in that place.
The local militia company. feeling
the overwhelming public feeling that
was against them. offered no resistance
when the mob broke into the Jail or
when the lynching was going on. and
the Springfield company had been
countermarched to the depot. An hour
or more after the lynching Mitchell's
body was picked up and placed in n
rough coffin. but still left under the
tree, where hundreds of people con-
tinued to view 1t.
Governor Bushnell arrived here to-
night to investigate the trouble and es-
pecially 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. Captain Leon
ard withdrew the guards about n. m,
and the Springfield company took or
ders from the mayor instead of the
sheriff. when they turned back from
the court house. Governor Bushnell
was attending an encampment at Woo
ster last night and was met by dele
ga ton from here on his return to Co
lumbus this afternoon. These citizens
from Urbana asked for protection by
troops of Sheriff McLain, against
whose life threats have been freely
made during the afternoon, and If he
was here tonight 1t is believed there
xypIII hn trnubIe pnip