The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-07

about the jail there and at the Coving-
ton station added to his fear. On enter
ing the train he seemed unable to sit down
until one of the guards fol ced him into
the seat. 1t developed that in the crowd
AT Coyington. and even on the train. there
were some of the relatives of Mrs. Lash
brook ready to convey information If any
attempt was made to secrete the prisoner.
The prisoner and his escort arrived at
1920 News of his coming had preceded
it, and it is said the information came to
James Lashbrook the husband of the VIC
tim, from agents whom he had stationed
in Covington to advise him by telegraph
of the prisoners transfer. Sheriff Perrine
while en- route to Maysville had been in
formed that a mob was awaiting the ar
rival of the train at the depot, and he
hastily prepared for the swearing In of
deputy she. ifs. AS the train puffed slowly
into the old station the mob formed on
both sides in two long but closely huddIed
crowds. Armed men stationed themselves
at the platforms of all the cars and warned
the frightened passengers to remain quiet
and not to interfere. A low murmur gath
cred louder force as it spread up and down
the lines, and its volume slowly increased
to roar as first one and then another
of the waiting men plunged into the cars.
THE SHERIFF UNDAUNTED.
The sheriff and his assistants were
strongly armed, and there was some re-
sistance. some of the leaders of the mob
jcstled roughly against them and hoarse
demands were uttered from the outer
fiinges of the crowds for the prisoner.
Sheriff Perrine was undaunted and walked
swiftly from the car, but with no indication
OF panic A step behind him followed the
officers with Coleman. the latter peering
affrightedly from side to side and seeking
to conceal himself behind the brawny
forms Of his protectors. AS the officers
proceeded the numbers of the mob were
constantly swelled by new arrivals, and all
through the downtown business streets to
the courthouse they were closely followed.
Hundreds of stones and other missiles were
thrown and revolvers and rifles We're freely
displayed. The prisoner was frequently
struck and he presented frightful appear
ance, the blood streaming from wounds on
his face and head.
AT the courthouse q mob of over 1000
men, headed by James Lashbrook, the hus-
band. had been hastily formed. The do
nand for the prisoner Was made, unac-
companied by threats by the leaders, and
there were loud murmurs from the out
skirts of the mob. There was brief strug-
gle In which weapons we're hastily drawn
by tne officers, and then the sheriff and his
assistants were overcome by sheer force Of
numbers and the shrieking prisoner was
seized by the triumphant leaders Of the
| mob. Up through the central portion of the
| town the march was taken, the prisoner
| being held by the vanguard and dragged
| along with the aid of ropes loosely at
tached to his body. He was the target
again Of hundreds of missiles, and several
| times he sank. half unconscious, to the
ground, while the crowd pressed forward,
striking at him with clubs, sticks and
whips until his head and body were scarce
ly recognizable. More dead than alive, he
| was dragged along and forced to his feet.
Scores of women joined the men. High
above the noise OIL the mob the wretch could
be heard pleading for his life, then the cry
OF the prisoner was answered with an oath
and blow. This spectacle continued until
the grounds were reached Where the final
work of the mob was accomplished with
| torturing and burning.
| STRAPPED no A TREE.
The place of execution mad been selected
| weeks ago, in accordance with all the other
arranged details of the programme mapped
OUT by the leaders of the mob. The prisoner
was dragged to the sapIing and strapped
| against the tree facing the husband of the
victim. Large quantities of dry brush and
larger bits of wood were piled around him
while he was praying for speedy death
James Lashbrook. the husband of the vic
tim applied the first match to the brush
second match. Some one with knife was
vainly slashing at the prisoners chest. By
a sort Of cruel concurrence of action On the
part of the mob not a single shot was fired
The purpose seemed to be to give tn,
wretch the greatest possible amount Of tor
ture. A fatal shot would have been merci
full, and there was no mercy in the crow(
surrounding Richard Coleman. AS tn,
flames arose he made vain efforts to with
draw mis- limbs from the encroaching fire
and his eyes rolleu In frenzy Of suffer
ing. The ropes. securing him to the tree
were burned and his body finally fell for
ward on the burning pne. Even then. al
though IL was not certain whether he wa
living or dead, the vengeful purpose Of tn
crowd led them to use rails and long pole
to push his body back into the flames. II i
not certain how long life lasted During tn
process, while his voice could be heard h
begged for a drink Of water his tongu
protruded and his eyeballs fairly starte,
from his head.
At the end of three hours the body wa
practically cremated. During all that tim
members of the family of Mrs. Lashbrool
had remained to replenish the fire an
keep the body in position where 1t woul
burn. AT that time nephew of Mrs. Lash
brook was pushing the body on the burne
embers while a curious crowd of severa
thousand persons fingered on the scene. l
is said that on the march through the cit
the prisoners eyes had been burned out b.
acid thrown from an egg shell.
In all the thousands who constituted tn
mob there was not a single effort made (
disguise or conceal identity. No man wor
a mask. All the leaders Of the mob are wel
known and there are hundreds of witnesse
who can testify TO their participation 4
this tragedy Tney are leading citizens Il
all lines of business and many are member
of churches.
THE CORONER'S VERDICT.
The coroner held an inquest on tn
the simple verdict, Death at the hands O