Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-27
Bloody Work in Serving a Warrant at
Gilman, Ill.
Two KILLED AND FOUR WOUNDED
Three of the Latter Are Probably
Fatally Injured.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE

ed three wounded two of them perhaps
fatally; one woman wounded and her resi-
dence burned, are the results of an all
night battle between a mob and Mrs Dr.
c. w. Wright, who was accused of the
murder Of Bessie Salter, the siXteen-year-
old daughter of a citizen of Gilman.
The dead:
John Myers, laborer employed by Mrs.
Wright.
Michael Ryan, citizen, serving as deputy
constable
Fatally wounded:
Lawrence Ryan, brother of the dead
man; wounded in the abdomen.
George Willoughby, citizen; shot
through the left lung.
Mrs. DR.. c. w. Wright; shot through
right shoulder, bullet taking downward
course
Seriously wounded:
Peter Lauer, member of the citizens at
tacking party shot through stomach.
First Act of the Tragedy
About 10 o'clock in the evening the first
act of the tragedy was enacted. 1t was
precipitated by the vestigation of the
coroner's jury .n>D the death of Bessie Sal
ter, a sixteen -year-old girl of Leonard. ILL.,.
tai Friday night, and was taken to her
home in Leonard under cover of darkness
early Saturday morning. No coffin was pro-
cured The girl was wrapped up in an old
blanket and piece of carpet and buried.
After the jury had heard the evidence Of
Clarence Salter, father of the girl the
coroner came tc the conclusion that 1t
was injudicious to wait longer for Mrs.
Wright's arrest, and warrant was pro-
cured and placed in the hands of Constable
4 he l.
ties gathered up in the street accompanied
Constable Nilstead. Mrs. Wright barred
the door, and in forcing entrance the
constables encountered unexpected opposi-
ton. They broke the outer door open and
entered the darkened rooms. Michael Ryan
felt his way across the first room and was
about to enter the door of the inner apart
ment when shot rang out and be fell
dead. The constables made a hurried exit
and formed picket line around the build
ing. At regular intervals they fired into
the building in the hope that the occupants
would surrender, but without success.
Finally 1t was determined to set fire to the
building. The recent rains had so dampen-
ed its tinbers that the fire would not catch,
and, after burning some outbuildings, the
posse gave. up the attempt and fell back
to the original plan of driving out Mrs.
Wright.
Ryan's Family on the Scene.
About 8 o'clock the family of Michael
carried to the bushes near the house where
he met his death. A mob of probably $50
people had gathered. Most of them were
armed.
The scenes of grief which followed the
arrival of Ryan's wife and children fired
the crowd with frenzy They seized dozens
of bundles of straw, saturated them with
petroleum, piled them against the front and
sides of the so-called hospital, and applied
the torch. In a moment the place was a
mass of flames. Shot after shot rang from
the upper windows, and George Willough-
by, local representative of the Standard
Oil Company fell with bullet in the left
side. The next victim was Peter Lauer, a
member of the attacking party. These cas-
ualties so angered the crowd that they fired
volleys at the house fast as they could
load their firearms. Contrary to eXpecta-
tOns no screams followed the progress of
the flames, and the mob began to think
that the inmates of the burning house had
been crematad.
Suddenly from a bunch of timber in the
rear several shots came in the direction of
the mob. They answered hundred to one,
and the fire WAS quickly silenced. Members
of the mob rushed to the timber, and in the
dim light of the coming dawn found John
Myers, a blacksmith, who had been en-
ployed by Mrs. Wright wounded and dying.
he was shot in dozen places about the
head and shoulders, showing that he had
been lying on his face firing at his enemies
when he met death.
Near by lay Mrs. Wright, with a ragged
hole in her right shoulder. She had been
wounded while lying down in the same posi-
ton as Myers. The mob carried her down
town. jeering as they went. She was taken
to the council chamber and physicians set
to work in an endeavor to bring her to con-
Sciousness. Up to a. m. they had been un-
successful and 1t is probable that she will
not recover.
The mob Immediately dispersed 1t had
been reported that there We're three women
in\the house besides Mrs. Wright, but no
signs of them had been found. The house
was destroyed. with it's contents.
Mrs. DR.. Wright is about fifty years old
1t is stated that she was formerly an ac-
tress. For some time she has been conduct
ing lying-in hospital on the outskirts Of
Gilman The death of Bessie Salter in the
house last Friday and the verdict of the
coroner's jury Saturday caused the issuance
of a warrant for her arrest, which resulted
in wholesale shooting and the probable
death Of the principal.
Mob Attacks the Jail,
strong guard was placed around the
city hall. Before long the crowd gathered
again and threats of lynching the wounded
woman were freely made. The city au-
thorities tried to keep the mob quiet, but
with poor success. At $50 the mob made
a united demonstration, smashing in the
city hall windows and throwing bricks and
clubs at the prisoner.
shot was fired through the window by
one of the mob, but missed it's intended
mark. Finally the officers got the mob
Quieted down, but another outbreak was
momentarily expected. The coroners YER
dict is expected this afternoon.