The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-09-24
MOB LAW in INDIANA
FIVE MEN LYNCHED TO ONE
TREE.
Three OF tho Victims Were First Killed
In tho jail, Thou Dead and Living
We're Strung Up Together-Accused
Cof Many Misdeeds.

VERSAILLES, Ind, Sept. 10. - For
years the farmers of the county have
been the victims of lawless band.
Farmers would come into town with n
bunch of cattle or load of farm pro-
ducts, and the next morning would be
found along the roadside suffering
from wounds and minus the proceeds
of their sale. Old German farmers
were visited, and both men and wo-
men subjected to tortures. Aged Ger
man women were forced to stand upon
red hot stoves to compel them to dis
close the hiding place of treasures
Arrests were made, but it was seldom
that conviction followed.
During the past week robbcries had
increased alarmiDgly. On last Satur-
day word was received by the sheriff
from one of the band that the store of
Wooley Bros, at Correct, Ind, ten
miles from here, was to be entered,
and the sheriff arranged that his in
formant should accompany them, and,
with five deputies, went to the place.
Sheriff Bushing concealed himself in
the cellar, while his deputies were
stationed at convenient distance
outside Shortly after midnight the
robbers reached the store, and Clifford
Gordon and the sheufis informant
broke into the building
just as Gordon stepped inside the
sheriff seized him. Both drew revolt
vers and began firing. Bert Ansoms,
another of the robbers, joined in the
fusilade, while the deputies went to
the assistance of the sheriff. Some
thirty shots were fred, the sheriff was
shot through the hand and Gordon
was shot several times Gordon and
Ansoms succeeded in ESCAPING and
came to Osgood, where they were ar
rested.
The robbers had driven out to the
place in buggy belonging to Lyle
Levi, and from information subse-
ouently gathered it was learned that
the robbery had been planned at the
home of William Jenkins. The two
latter were arrested as accessories.
All were taken to the Jail at Ner-
sailles, Henry Schiller, ~ years, was
put in jail for robbing the barber shop
at Osgood last week. Levi was 81
years of age, Gordon 30, Ansoms 80,
Jenkins -.
When it became known that the
robbers were in jail it was quietly
suggested by the farmers who had
been robbed that Justice" be sum-
lnarily dealt to the prisoners.
At / o'clock this morning horsemen
from all quarters dismounted on hill
side near Versailles and about 400 men
marched into the town. The Jail was
in charge of William KEENAN,, Sheriff
Bushing's brother-in law, the former
being at home on account of his in
jury. In trout of the Jail is the resi-
1dence proper, and there KEENAN,,
Robert Barnett, William Block and
Winsett, deputies, were sleeping.
Shortly before 9 o'clock there was
knock at the door, and when KEENAN,
and the others opened it three masked
men put revolvers to their heads and
ordered them to turn over the keys.
This they did and the mob filed into
the Jail. Levi, Jenkins and Shutter
were upon the lower floor, while Cor
don and Andrews were in the upper
tier. Levi and Jenkins and Shutter
showed fight and the former was shot
through the breast, while the skulls
of the two latter were crushed with
stools.
Ropes were in readiness and the
lynchcrs adjusted moose around the
neck Of each and pinioned their feet
and hands and then the march began.
They were not carried, but, with sew
eral men at the end of each rope, were
dragged 200 feet to an elm tree. where
their bodies were suspended. 1t is
said Levi, Jenkins and Shutter were
dead before they reached the place.
Death resulted from hanging in the
eases of Gordon and Ansoms.
None of the citizens seem to deplore
the action of the mob, but upon the
contrary the hanging of three or four
more members of the gang is being
talked Of No troops have been asked
for; the citizens say that they are not
wanted
Western Pos masters.