Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-08-23
MARsHALLTowN. IOWA. THURsDAY. AUGUST a. 1000
rapidly about the town.


several thousand persons gathered
about the city prison, where 1t was sup-5
posed the negro was confined. The doors
were broken an and the prison was soon,
packed with the mob. The officers of
fered no resistance, az Peck, earlier in;
the evening. had been quietly taken
away to Cleveland.
To satisfy the mob the officers eug-
gested that committee Of six be ap-s
pointed to search all the cells and go
thru every part OF the building. This
wac done, and az the negro was not
found the cry wasi raised: e Now for the
county Jail; give uS the niger and we
will deal with him.,
A mad rueh for the jail followed, and
soon that structure was surrounded by
the bowling rioters. After going thru
crowd started to batter down the big
iron doors. Deputy Sheriff Stone stood
in front OF the prison doors and made a
speech. e
He informed the crowd that Peck
could not be found there. and told the
mob to select a committee and he would
allow 1t to go thru the Jail from top to
bottom.
Ascommittee was quickly selected and
the Jail was searched, every cell being
entered. Satisfied that the negro wac
not there, the mob rushed across the
street and forced open the doors of the
county court house. The old building
was soon packed by the mob, which by
this time was frantic over its successive
disappointments Every room was
searched except those in the treasury
department. A start was made to tear
off the iron doors OF the treasury de-
partment, but the mob decided not to
attempt this. and then the thousands OF
men and boys rushed back to the city
prison. crying for the blood OF Peck.
The prison was again surrounded and
hundreds of people forced their way in
for the second time. insisting that Peck
was there. Mayor w. E. Young APP
l.peared atone of theiwindowsint in the up
per part of the building. B
He addressed the mob as best he
lscould, saying Peck had been taken out
of the prison at 4 O'Clock by Sheriff
Kelly and driven out of the city in a
closed earrings. The people in the mot
would not believe the mayor and de.
manded that Peck be surrendered.
4 At 10 o'clock the mob began for the
third time to attack the city prison
Some one in the crowd began shooting
at the building. This was followed by
several more shots. The officers in the
building appeared at the windows and
began to shoot over the heads of the
4 people. "A man with a shotgun ther
4 fired at the officers,
Mayor Young stayed in the building
and when the shooting began, directed
a call for the militia. All the ambu-
lances of the city were called out and
the excitement wassintense.
Maddened by the shooting, the Grove
attacked the front of the building ant
tore out almost the entire front Of th,
sl:strncture. g
AT :45 p. m. Prison Keeper Jonn Z
WASHER came from the building an,
was knocked down with brick II
was badly injured about the head an,
required medical attendance.
The disorder continued until nearl!
midnight, when the crowd gave up it
hunt for Peck. evidently concluding tn,
officers had told the truth. People be
4 gan to leave for home and within
A short time the town was quiet.