Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1900-08-28
GILMAN The SCENE
OF A BLOODY BATTLE
Mob Avenges the Death of a
16-Year-Old Girl.
WOMAN DEFIED THE Law

Officers Fired on When They Attempt
to Serve the Warrant on the Murder
ers-Two People Killed and Three
Others Fatally Wounded.
GILMAN, Ills, Aug 27.-Two men
killed, three wounded-two Of them per-
haps fatally, one woman wounded and
her residence burned are the results of
an all night battle between a mob and
Mrs. DR.. @. w. Wright, who was &C
cused of the murder of bessie Salter,
the 16-year-old daughter of citizen Of
Gilman.
Dead: John Myers, laborer employed
by Mrs. DR.. Wright.
Michael Ryan. citizen, serving as dep
uty constable.
Fatally wounded: Lawrence Ryan,
brother of the dead man, wounded in
the abdomen; George Willoughby, shot
through the left lung; Mrs. DR.. O. w.
Wright, shot through the right shout
der, the bullet taking downward course.
Seriously wounded: Peter Laur, a
member Of the citizens attacking party,
shot through the stomach.
Early in the evening the first act of
the tragedy was enacted when Consta-
BILE Nilstead went to the house in the
outskirts of the town, occupied by Mrs
Wright, to serve on the occupant war
rant sworn out after the coronor's jury
had declared her guilty. A number Of
deputies were with Constable Nilstead.
Mrs. Wright barred the door and in
forcing an entrance the constables en-
countered unexpected opposition.
Ryan Shot Down.
They broke the outer door open and en-
tered the darkened 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 picket line
around the building. At regular inter
walls they fired into the building in the
hope that the occupants would sur
render, but without success. Finally 1t
was determined to set fire to the build
ing. The recent rain had so dampened
it's timbers 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.
About 2 o'clock the family of Michael
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 whom were armed.
Mob Applies the Torch.
They seized dozens of bundles Of
straw, saturated them with petroleum,
piled them against the front and sides
of the house and applied the torch. Shot
after shot rang from the upper window
and George Willoughby, local repre-
sentative Of the Standard Oil company,
fell with a bullet In the left side.
The next victim was Peter Laur of the
attacking party. These casualties so
angered the crowd that they fired into
the house as fast as they could load their
firearms. Contrary to expectation no
screams followed the progress Of the
flames and the mob began to think that
the inmates of the burning house had
been killed. Suddenly from bunch Of
timber in the rear several shots came in
the direction of the mob. They were
answered 100 to one and the fire was
quickly silenced. Members of the mob
rushed to the timber and found the body
of John Myers, blacksmith, who had
been employed by Mrs. Wright. He
was shot in 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
right shoulder.
Mrs. Wright Wounded.
She had also been wounded while
lying down in the same position as John
Myers.
The mob carried her down town to the
council chamber and physicians set to
work in an endeavor to bring her to con-
seriousness. 1t is probable that she will
not recover The mob Immediately dis
persed. It had been reported that there
were three women In the house besides
Mrs. Wright, but no signs Of them have
been found. The house was destroyed
with its contents.
Mrs. DIR. Wright was about 90 years
old It is stated that she was formerly
an actress. For some time she hos been
conducting a lying-in hospital on the
outskirts of Gilman. The death Of Des-
sic Salter took place in the house last
Friday.
Attempted to Lynch Mrs. Wright.
Miss Salter's body was taken to her
home under cover of darkness early Sat.
urday morning. No coffin was pro-
cured and she was wrapped ia 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 to the conclusion that
it was injudicious to wait longer for
Mrs. Wright's arrest and warrant was
sworn out by the police magistrate for
her arrest.
When Madame Wright was brought
to the city hall and strong guard was
placed over her, crowd soon assembled
and threats of lynching We're uttered.
Every effort was made to dispense the
mob, but the mob made another demon
stration, smashing in the windows with
stones and clubs. This terminated in
the house being fired into through win.
dow by one of the mob, barely missing
the woman The officer finally restored
order, but it seemed probable that there
would be further trouble.
Arbitraries Removed.
AUGUSTA, Ga, Aug. s7.-The execu-