The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-06
uRBANA IN A QUIET RAGE.
The Sheriff and Military Captain
StilI Fugifives.

Urbana, O., June 5.-Instead Of a negro
dangling from a tree in the most promi-
nent street corner. the excited popuace
thronging the streets. the military and
sheriff hiding in the county Jail, the spec
tacle of a peaceable community, fleeing
sheriff, a missing captain and a military
company making themselves scarce is
presented.
Nothing is known of the whereabouts Of
Sheriff McLain and Capt. Leonard. 1t is
the general understanding that the sheriff
drove to Springfield, and nobody outside
the captains circle of immediate friends
knows where he went. 1t was reported
last evening that a mob of $50 was organ
izing TO go to Springfield after the sher-
iff, and such word went to Springfield,
having the effect, it is said, of driving the
sheriff off to Dayton. He is universally
condemned by the people and held re-
sponsible for the shooting of citizens by
the militia. The citizens insist that he
was altogether too officious in this mat
ter, and should have refrained from or
dering out the troops.
AS for the captain he is condemned for.
ordering the soldiers to fire, and the mem
bers of the company for firing into a
crowd of their fellow citizens. After their
escape from the Jail the members of the
company have not dared to show their
faces upon the street and many of them
have left the city. A liveryman took a
timid squad of them to Springfield. Their
troubles are not over yet. Some of the
wounded claim to know who shot them
and several thrashings are laid up. 1t is
reported that the father of Harry Bell,
who was killed, threatens to kill Capt.
Leonard on sight. The son was an unmar-
ried man, aged about 20 years, and a
broommaker by occupation.
Baker, the other man killed, was about
81 years of age and married. Gle was a
farmer, being tenant on farm north
of the city. He leaves wife and five
small children.
The body of Chick Matthews, the rap
ist, has been secreted. Before being NOV
ed from the courthouse yard relic-hunt-
ers nearly cut the coat off of the dead
man. Every button was gone, and even
Ills hllOGS anu bluNhiA56 WIZ teeiASA NAA NiAN'
carried away.
Mayor c. II. Ganson states that the
tragedy of night before last and the lynch
ing were entirely uncalled for. He urged
the sheriff to get the prisoner out Of town
when he was first taken to Jail, but the
sheriff neglected to do so.
The Springfield company was ordered to
report to the sheriff. They marched TO the
Jail, but had no consultation with the
sheriff, as he did not appear. and there is
a question whether the mayor was author
lied to speak for him in telling them to
retire from the scene.
Capt. Leonard and the local company
viii. no doubt, have to explain why they
ceased to resist after firing into the mob
and somebody viii have to explain how
the keys happened to be dropped down in
to the hall floor from upstairs, after the
mob had broken in the outside door. The
sheriff and militia were up there at the
time.
The sheriff plainly stated before leav-
ing the city that he and the troops retired
to the upstairs portion of the Jail and
QulN OAANA MS any ltoiSAdH1E hiilpAy Bt-
cause he was unwilling to shoot down any
more citizens.
There VIII no doubt be a military in
vestigaton as to whether the captain act
ed under the mayors orders in this mat
ter. 1t Is said the local company. being
composed of Urbana boys, who cried over
the shooting of their fellow-citizens the
previous night, absolutely refused to shoot
again.
The sheriff denies the responsibility for
the shooting, and so does the captain. on
the other hand, the citizens assert that
the sheriff himself fired the first shot. lie
asserts that at least five shots were fired
into the Jail from the outside before a shot
was fired out from the inside.
Columbus. O., June 5.-Gov. Bushnell in
an interview to-day stated he favored
the enactment OF law making the penal
ty for extreme cases Of criminal assault
death. He thought punishment commen-
surate with the degree Of crimes was the
surest prevention OF lynchings such az
that at urbana. He consulted one OF the
Jhus'n VI AuN nhfAtfiN AVAiA bA tue AlaAA'I
and the latter coincided with his views.
Cincinnati, o.. June 5.-A special to the
Commercial-Trbu from Urbana says.
Adjt. Gen. Axline. Col. Charles Anthony
and Adjt. Charles stratzman Of the Third
Regiment reached the city tonight. They
were In consultation with Mayor Ganson,
Judge Heiserman and Deputy Sheriff Mil
Ter.
Gen. Axline stated that they came over
20 make some Investigations as 20 the
course OF the militia. lie also inquired as
to the danger to the officers and soldiers
should they return 20 the city. He felt
that the guards were acting under orders
and wanted them to return to the city.
He was told by the officials that IN their
opinion the feeling was not sufficient
against the guards to make their return
dangerous.
Gen. Axline visited the scenes OF the
troubles and conversed with a number OF
citizens In regard to the officers. He re-
turned to Columbus this evening.
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