The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-06-08
THAT LYNCHING.
Gov. Bushnell Expresses His Views
on the Matter.
Urbana's Mayor Says the Governor and
Troops Were In No Way to Blame
Body of Click Mitchell White
Elephant on the Authorities

COLUMBUS, o., June 7.-Gov. Bush
nell was asked by the Associated Press
what, if anything he desired to say,
about the lynching of Negro at the
Urbana Jail. He said in effect, that a
sheriff, by the laws of Ohio, has power
to call on state troops in his county to
protect persons and property. The
law of Ohio is peculiar in this respect
The sheriff at Urbana called the local
company into service. was at Woos-
ter. Word came to me at Ills p. m,
Thursday, of the pending trouble. 1
was at banquet of the Sons of Vet
Grams. 1t took the messenger 20 min
utes to find me. The word was from
Capt. Leonard, in command of the Ur-
bana company of state troops at the
jail in which the Negro was impris-
oned and whose life was threatened.
Capt. Leonard said the sheriff said he
wanted help. The governor said he
did not look upon the message of Capt.
Leonard as being from the proper
source. The telephone people at
Wooster were in bed. They were
secured by 11:45 p. m. 1 got
Sheriff McLain at Urbana by tele-
phone. He told me he had 40 men, 1
told him he ought to be able to pro-
tect the prisoner and property with 40
men. Il have since learned he had So
men, He said he would do the best he
could, but public sentiment was dead
against him. | said he had nothing to
do with public sentiment. His duty
was to obey the law. He did not ask
for help. [ left the telephone Office at
midnight.
The shooting by the Urbana com
pany occurred after that conversation.
At a. m. message came from
Sheriff Nc Lain saying his force was
inadequate and for me to send help. l
Immediately telephoned Capt. Brad
bury, company B, Third Ohio infantry,
Springfield, to report with his COM
pany to Sheriff McLlain at Urbana- At
the same time L telephoned Sheriff
McLain that Capt. Brad bury would re-
port to him.
Capt. Brad bury arrived at Urbana at
or before a. M Col. Anthony, of the
Third Ohio infantry. to which is at
tached the Springfield and Urbana
companies, says Sheriff McLain told
him that Capt Bradbury, of Spring
field, reported to and talked with him
(the sheriff., and was directed by the
sheriff to return to the train, or to
Springfield, and the Springfield troops
did return to the train.
The lynching occurred not more
than 80 minutes later, according to the
best information at the governors of
fee
Capt. Bradbury said by telephone to
the adjutant generals office here that
when he was ordered by the sheriff to
return to the train he sat in the pres
ence OF the sheriff as long as he could
consistently and then retired
The governor said the sheriff did not
inform him of the existing trouble un-
til it had reached a climax, although
the thing had been brewing several
days. He has been assured by all
classes of people in Uurbana that he
did all that could have been done un-
der the circumstances.
AdJt Gen. AXline, who was present
at the interview Saturday, said that
the mayor of Urbana telephoned him
that the governor and troops were in
no way to blame, they did all they
could, if there is anyone to blame it is
myself and the sheriff, and as far as 1
am concerned | am willing to take my
share of the blame"
The mayor further said there was
ample provocation for the firing of the
militia at 2:30 and he did not blame
them for doing their duty. The sher-
iff, he said, did not manage things
right and did not seem to appreciate
the gravity of the situation until it
was too late to avoid the lynching
without an lawful slaughter of human
life"
The body 'Click" Mitchell, the rap
list, who was the cause OF all the
trouble, is an elephant on the hands of
the city. Mitchell's body, being un-
claimed by relatives, was dumped into
Undertaken Humphreys wagon late in
the afternoon and driven hurriedly
away among the jeers of the crowd to
mis- establishment under the SUPPOSE
ton that DIR. Myers, who proved to
be from Springfield, would take it.
But upon arrival and consultation, he
decided not to. 1t developed that he
did not represent one of the Columbus
medical colleges, as supposed,
but an embalming school, and he
wanted the body for demonstration
purposes. Accordingly the body was
secreted for the night and further eff
forts made to find somebody to accept
it. 1t became necessary for the au-
thorities TO maintain great secrecy as
to the place of concealment in order 20
prevent the mob from wreaking ven
geance on the remains Threats of
getting the body and burning it were
freely made.
Before being removed from the
courthouse yard relic hunters had
nearly cut the coat off the dead man.
Every button was gone and even his
shoes and stockings were taken off
and carried away.
The sheriff denies responsibility for
the shooting and SO does the captain.
On the other hand the citizens assert
that the sheriff himself fred the first