The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-06
OFFICERS IN HIDING,
Sheriff and Militia Captain Flee from
Urbana-Sentimento of Citizens


URBANA. o., June 5.-Urbana this morn
ing is very different place from the Ur-
bana of yesterday. The city has resumed
its normal condition and the scene has
changed entirely. Instead of a negro dang
ling from a tree on the most prominent
street corner, the military and sheriff hid
ing in the county Jail, the spectacle of a
peaceable community, a fleeing sheriff, a
missing captain and military company
making itself scarce is presented. Sheriff
McLain is in Dayton. and Captain Leonard
is secreted somewhere. McLain first went
to Springfield, but when it was reported
last evening that mob of $50 was organ
izing to so to Springfield after him, it is
said he took refuge further away The
sheriff is universally condemned by the peo-
pie here and held responsible for the shoot
ing of citizens by the militia. The citizens
insist that he was altogether too officious
in the matter and should have refrained
from ordering out the troops AS for Cap
tain Leonard, he is condemned for order
ing the soldiers TO fire into crowd of their
fellow-ciuzens. After the militiamen's es-
cape from the Jail they have not dared to
show their faces on the street and many
of them have left the city. A liveryman
took timid squad of them to Springfield
Their troubles are not over yet Some of
the wounded claim to know who shot them
II is reported that Smith Bell, the father
of Harry Bell who was killed, threatens
TO kill Captain Leonard on sight The son
was an unmarried man, aged about twenty
years old and a broommaker by occupa-
ton. Baker the other man killed was
about thirty-seven years old and married.
He was a farmer. being a tenant on a farm
north of the city. He leaves a wife and
five small children.
The body of Click Mitchell the rapist,
who was the cause of all the troubles. is
an elephant on the hands of the city.
Mitchells body being unclaimed by reIa-
tiyes, was dumped into Undertaken Hum
phreys wagon late in the afternoon and
driven hurriedly away among the jeers of
the crowd to his establishment under the
supposition that q Dr. Myers, who proved
10 be from Springfield. would take it. But
on arrival it developed that he did not rep
resent one of the Columbus medical col
leges, as supposed, but an embalnling
school. and he wanted the body for dem
onstration 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 authorities 10
maintain great secrecy as to the place OF
concealment in order to prevent the mob
from Wreaking vengeance on the remains
Threats of getting the body and burning
II 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 mayor of the city Hon. c.. H. Can
zon. the stockman, is well known from his
former connection with his state fair and
board Of agriculture. lie has officiated as
starter for the state fair races and as Judge
several seasons. He says the shooting of
citizens and the lTnching were entirely I'M
called for. He urged the sheriff to get the