The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-08-31

suits or an all-nlght patt!c prlNcrN
a mob and Mrs. Dr. {. W. Wright, vho
WAS accused Of the murder OF Bessie
Salter. the f6-year-old daughter OF q
citizen OF Gilman.
The Dead.
John Myers, laborer, employed 10y
Mrs DR.. Wright.
Michael Ryan. citizen, serving as
deputy constable.
Fatally Wounded.
Lawrence Ryan. brother OF the dead
man: wounded IN abdomen.
George Miiloughby. citizen; shot
through left lung.
Mrs DR.. {. w. Wright. shot through
righr shoulder; bullet taking down
ward course.
seriously wounded.
Peter l.auer. member of citizens at
tacking party, shot through stomach.
About ten o'clock sunday evening
the first act OF the tragedy was enact
ed. II was precipitated by the inves-
tigation Of the coroner's jury into the
death Of Bessie Salter. l6-year-old
girl of Leonard, H.. who died in the
hospital Friday night and was taken
to her home in Leonard, under cover
of darkness, early Saturday morning.
No coffin was procured and she was
wrapped up in an old blanket and a
piece of carpet and buried.
Went TO Arrest Mrs. Wright.
After the jury had heard the evil
dence of Clarence Salter, father of
-.
clusion that it was iniudicious 10 wait
longer for Mrs. Wright's arrest and a
warrant was sworn out by the police
magistrate for her arrest. Constable
Nilstead went TO the house 10 serve
the warrant about ten o'clock sunday
night.
Mrs. Wright barred the Door.
Mrs. Wright barred the door and.
in forcing an entrance. the constables
encountered unexpected opposition.
They broke the outer door open and
entered the darkencd rooms. Michael
Ryan felt his way across the first
room. and was about to enter the
door of the inner apartment. when
shot rang out and he fell dead. The
constables made a hurried exit. and
formed a picket line around the build
ing.
Fired Into the building.
AT regular intervals they fired into
the building in the hope that the oc-
cupants would surrender. but without
success. Finally. il was determined
TO set fire to the building. The recent
rains had so dampened its tmbers
that the fire would not catch, and.
after burning some outbuildings. the
posse gave up the attempt and fell
back 70 their original plan OF driving
out Mrs. Wright
Heartrending Scene.
about three o'clock the family OF
Michael Ryan arrived The dead man
had been carried to the bushes near
the house. where he me; his death 4
mob Of probably 20 people HAD gath
cred. Most Of them were armed. The
scenes of grief which followed the ar
rival of Ryans life 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.
a Mass Of F.nmes.
In moment the place was a mass
of flames. Shot after shot rang from
the upper windows. and George VIII
loughby. local representative Of the
STANDARD OH Co.. fell with bullet in
thc left side. The next victim was
Peter liaucr. a member Of the attack
ing PARTY. These casualties SO an
gcrcd the crowd that they "ollcyed
the house as fast as they could load
their firearms.
Unexpected Fn-ilnd-.
Contrary 70 eXpectationS.no screams
followed the progress OF the flames
and the mob began to think that the
inmates of the burning house had
been cremated. Suddenly. from
bunch Of timber in the rear. several
shots came in the direction Of the
mob. They were answered. hun
drcd 70 one, and the fire was quickly
silcnccd.
Hush to the Timber.
Members of the mob rushed to the
timber, and in the dim light Of the
coming dawn, found the body Of John
Myers. a blacksmith. who had been
employed by Mrs. Wright. stretched
in the death agony. lie was shot Ia
a 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, ragged hole in her shout
der.
Jeercd by the Mob.
The mob carried her down town. |
jeering as they went She was taken
20 the council chamber and physicians
endcavored 70 resusciiatc her. III 10 |
q. m. they had been unsuccessful |
and il is probable She will die. The |
mob Immediately dispersed. II had
been reported that there were three
women in the house besides Mrs.
Wright, but they were nor found. The \
house was destroyed with its con-
tents.