The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-09-16
Inhabitants of Versailles, Ind,
in a State of Terror.
Vengeance is Feared From the
Lynched Mems Friends.
TORCHIS THREATENED
Armed Deputies Guarded the
Town All Last Night.
Suspected Characters Are Also
Scared and Leaving.

Cincinnati. Sept. ia Versailles, IN
diana, special to the Times-Star says
the people of Versailles are still dazed
more than ever by the tragedy of Tues
day night.
No other subject is discussed, except
speculation as to the probability of
action being taken as to the arrest and
punishment of the participants in the
lynching. All agree that the plan was
deliberately laid.
1t is said by witnesses that from the
time the two signal rockets were sent
up on the outskirts of the town until
the work of the mob was completed and
the men were going home, was not more
than Is minutes. 1t is also said that act
i've participants in the lynching did not
exceed Is or 20, though the men who
were present as guards and helpers,
numbered about 250. 1t is generally
conceded the organizers We're Osgood
men, though SO far none can be found
who recognized any of them.
The apprehension that further work
IS intended by the organization still
continues, and the luckless man who
gets into the Versailles Jail will have
reason to dread the consequences. This
FEELING may have a tendency 10 cause
some of the suspected men to leave the
country.
Peter HOstetter, who gave the infor-
nation TO the sheriff about the burglary
threats by friends of the victims, and
has disappeared.
The sensation in the city readily
spread throughout the country and no
occasion ever attracted such crowds to
the city. For years southern Indiana
has been afflicted with laWlesS gangs.
The railways and express company
broke up the depreda tiOnS of these
gangs along their lines, and latJerly
they have preyed upon the citizens. The
citizens have taken the law into their
~ I,.,G
never to such an extent as this.
The Reno brothers were lynched to-
gether at Seymour, Ind, 20 years ago,
and the Archer gang, three in number.
Ind, u years ago. There have been
numerous lynchings of one at a time,
but the Job lott of five breaks the rec
ord.
That an unusual state of feeling ex-
listed is shown by the ferocity of the
mob, which first killed three of the men
in the jail, and then dragging the liV-
ing and dead together, hanged them to
the same tree 1t is notable, too, that
no outrage that usually rouses mob's
Vengeance-no murder-waS charged
against the victims but their death was
decreed because of long and exasperat-
ing suffering from rObberies, some of
which were accompanied by torture of
victims.
The excitement of the day was not
lessened by the suppressed hints that
more objects of the peoples wrath
would be made to suffer in the same
way.
Last night the Jail was as quiet as the
humblest residence. Besides the one
lone prisoner Kelly, the only occupants
were Deputy Jailer VIM. E Herman
and his guard, VIM. Black, who faced
the mob and were quickly disarmed and
locked in a cell while the work OF
slaughter was done.
Marshal John E. Tyler, with % dep
uties was on the alert against any pos
81 BILE surprise, and every road running
into town was picl1eted with wide
awake men. This 'precaution was not
taken in anticipation of a second visit
by the regulators. The danger appre-
hended was from another quarter, the
friends of the lynched men.
No private citizen of Versailles has
reason to fear personal danger. The
danger dreaded is arson. There are ru-
Inors of threats on the part of the
friends of the men who were mobbed,
TO even up matters by means of the
torch The buildings said to be mark
ed for destruction are the Jail and court
house. The public officers are also sub
jects of these threats. That is why this
little city is disturbed and under the
closest guard. If trouble comes, il is
expected from OsSood, where the people
of Versailles say is the headquarters OF
the band whose depredations have been
SO widespread and which is the home
of those who were so ruthleSSIy rushed
into eternity The feeling between the
two places is of the bitterest and the
opinion is expressed here that there are
plenty of people in Osgood who deserve
the fate of the five found dangling from
trees yesterday morning.
No one has been heard to- express
word of condemnation of Tuesday
nights work The people of Versailles
declare that the lynchers were all nom
residents and that not a man living IN
or near town had any hand in the
slaughter. There is general under
current of approval of the deed. and
il is said that no effort will be made to
anprehend anyone who took part.