The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-06-10


jury was impanneled and reported its
examination of five witnesses and the
indictment of Charles Mitchell, ,colored,
for the criminal assault of Mrs. Eliza
Oaumer, white. The court thanked the
jury for its "good days work" Then
Sheriff Mclean and his deputies
brought Mitchell into court in sold
ier's uniform. AS the militia were on
duty about the courthouse and the jail
this disguise of the prisoner worked
perfectly.
The crowds that were about the
grounds and in the streets did not know
what was going on, and those who saw
Mitchell enroute from the Jail to the
court house did not recognize him.
The doors to the court house were all
guarded by the militia. With the mill
tary about the building and the crowds
outside, Mitchell was badly scared. He
waived the reading of the indictment,
pleading guilty, and was sentenced to
the extreme limit, 20 years, for Grim.
inal assault, in the penitentiary.
After Mitchell was sentenced by the
court and the sheriff ordered to take
him to Columbus there was trouble
again. 1t was thought the officers
might get Mitchell through the crowd
disguised as a soldier. but his color pre-.
vented this plan and cart was driven
to the Jail. Then the mob broke in and
demanded the prisoner. The Jail was
strongly guarded by the militia and the
ell hnrtR al nc m
venture out.
The mob advanced on the Jail, and at
least 20 shots were fired. Great excite
ment prevailed. A man named Harry
Bell and another named Hagins were
| killed by the soldiers. Seven or eight
others were more or less seriously
wounded The mob was around the
Jail for two hours.
For two hours the Jail was sur
rounded by howling mob Of at least
1000 to 1900 people. The climax in
Mitchell outrage eliminated when the
militia opened fire on the crowd and
shot 20 ronnds. The volley resulted in
Harry Bell of this city being shot
through the head and killed instantly.
A young man named Hagins was shot
through the body and killed instantly.
Dennis Crancey of Urbana, shot in
right foot. DR.. Charles Thompson OF
North Lewisburg received slight
wound on forehead. Wesley Bowen OF
Gable, shot in nip and wounded seri-
ously. Ray Dickinson, living near the
city. was shot in the shoulder Ray
Mcclure of Urbana was shot through
muscle of right arm. Gus Weiser
who was standing on the street, re-
ceived slight wound on face anC
John Wank was shot in foot.
When the shooting occurred crowd
of LOCO people stood conGregatRd
around the Jall. Inc crowd was howl
ing for the prisoner and more deter
mined to secure Mitchell. 1t haC
crowded into the jailyard and wa
crowding toward the Jail. Captain
George w. Leonard, in command o
the militia, addressed the crowd anC
gave them three minutes to disperse
There was a general rush from tn,
jailyard, but the crowd again returned
Tee noise had subslded, the demon
stration was less pronounced fully
half hour had elapsed from the tim
the order was given when the roarin!
of musketry was heard. Volley afte
vollee was fired, until as many as 2
shots had been fired Into the crowd
There was q general panic for a whj'e
and the dead and wounded were car
ried in every direction in search of doc
tors offices.
The people are wonderfully worke
up and there may be more trouble. An
other victim of the shooting has jus
been reported. Ralph McComb of thi
city was shot in the arm.
URBANA, O., June 5.-In the riot her
Charles Mitchell (colored), the cause o
all the trouble, was taken from tn
Jail by infuriated citizens and lynched
Including the brutal Mitchell, ther
are five dead and ten wounded. All
the victims were innocent citizens VIII
were spectators on the scene OF excite
ment except Mitchell. In addition
this list it is feared that Mrs. Eliz
Gaumer, who was criminally assaulte
by the negro, will not recover, and seN
eral of the injured are in serious cor
dition. Besides the list of casuaitit
there is such intense feeling again'
some OF the officials that it will not
wiped out in the present generatio
and further complications are appr'
hended in the future. While the pa
two nights and the past two days wi
messed scenes of lawlessness and bloot
shed, yet the feeling at no time nj
been as intense as it is here now,
The body of Mitchell was exposed a
day in a rough coffin, and it intens
fled the feeling among the masses wh
witnessed it. The bodies of the cit
zens who were killed were tenderI
cared for, and their funerals tomorro
will tend to keep alive the bitter fee
ing. While the wounded are beir
tenderly cared for at their homes, y
several of them are crippled Tor IL
and will be living reminders OF Il
trouble.
One week ago Mrs, Gaumer w
criminally assaulted at her nome
this city. The brute accomplished b
fiendish purpose, and Mrs Gaumer W
Frustrated. On Wednesday Mitcht
was arraigned for criminal assau
Mrs. Gaumer was unable to appear
the court ano the hearing was held
her home AS Mitchell entered h
room she raised up and exclalme
1.-The brute Hang him How da
you face me again, you brute y
Mitchell was placed on trial, ple
guilty and was sentenced to 20 years
the penitentiary in few hours. So'
after this there was talk OF lynchin
Crowds surrounded the Jail, and I
sheriff and the local militia had trout
in protecting the wretch.
At the first attack of the citizens
the Jail the military began firing. Ov