Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-08-31
TRAGEDY IN ILLINOIS.
Attempt to Arrest n woman Doctor
mt Gilman Causes the Death
Of Two Persons.

Gilman, ILL.,, Aug. 2S Two men
killed, three wounded-two of them
perhaps fatally-one woman wounded
and her residence burned, are the re-
suits of an all-night battle between a
mob and Mrs. DR.. C. W. Wright who
was accused of the murder of Bessie
Salter, the 16-year-old daughter of a
citizen of Gilman.
THE DEAD-John Myers, laborer en-
ployed by Mrs. DIR. Wright.
Michael Ryan, citizen serving as deputy
constable.
FATALLY woUNDED-Lawrence Ryan,
brother of the dead man. wounded in abdo-
men.
George willoughby. citizen. shot through
left lung.
Mrs. DIR. C. w. Wright shot through
right shoulder, bullet taking downward
course.
SERIOUSLY woUNDED-Peter Lauer.
member of the citizens attacking party;
shot through stomach.
About ten o'clock in the evening
the first act of the tragedy was en-
acted. 1t was preeipitated by the
investigation of the coroner's jury
into the death of Bessie Salter, 16-
year-old girl of Leonard. Ill, who
died in Mrs. Wright's lying-in hos
pital Friday night and was taken to
her home in Leonard under cover of
darkness early Saturday morning.
No coffin was procured. The girl
was wrapped in an old blanket and
piece of carpet, and buried.
After the jury had heard the evil
dence of Clarence Salter, the girls
| father, the coroner came to the con-
| clusion that it was injudicious to wait
| longer for Mrs. Wright's arrest, and a
warrant was procured. 1t was placed
| in the hands of Constable Nilstead
| for service.
| A number of deputies gathered upon
the street, accompanied by Constable
Nilstead. Mrs. Wright barred the door,
and in forcing an entrance the con-
stable encountered unexpected oppo-
sition. They broke the outer door
open and entered the dariened rooms.
Michael Ryan felt his way across the
| first room and was about to enter the
door of the inner apartment, when a
shot rang out, and he fell dead.
About three o'clock the family of Mi
chael Ryan arrived. The dead man had
been 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 seiz-d d 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 moment
the place was mass of flames.
Shot after shot rang from the upper
windows. and George Willoughby, a
local representative of the Standard
Oil company, fell with bullet in the
left side. The next victim was Peter
Hauer, n member of the attacking par.
ty. These casualties so angered the
crowd that they volleyed the house as
fast as they could load their firearms
Contrary to expectations, no screams
followed the progress of the flames and
the mob began TO think that the in
mates of the burning house had been
cremated. Suddenly. from a bunch ot
timber in the rear. several shots came
in the direction of the mob. They We're
|
fire was quickly silenced.
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. He was shot in
a dozen places about the head ant
shoulders, showing that he had beer
lying on his face, firing at his enc
mics, when he met death.
The mob Immediately dispersed. II
had been reported that there wer,
three women in the house beside,
Mrs. Wright, but no signs of then
have been found. The house was de
stroyed with it's contents.
Mrs. DR.. Wright was about so years
| old. 1t is stated that she was former
ly an actress. For some time sh,
) has been conducting lying-in hos
pital on the outskirts of Gilman.
) Gilman. ILL.,. Aug. 2s.-The coroner
inquest over the body of Bessie Salte
; completed its investigation and he'll
Mrs. Wright to the grand jury withou
bail. The intense excitement that pre-
vailed all day has subsidized and law an
order is restored. The removal of Mrs
Wright to the Watseka Jail seems t
: have annulled all mob talk and the lay
; will probably be allowed to take it
course.
TOwne's First Talk.
Duluth, Mimi, Aug. 2s.-Charles
Towne opened the campaign in