The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-25
Taken from Cleveland tn Akron, the
Scene of His Brutal Crime,
on n Fast Train.
RUSHED TO THE COURTROOM
SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON FOR
REMAINDER OF HIS LIFE,
Hurried Back to Train and Taken
at Once to Columbus-Begged
His Keeper to Be Shot.

AKRON, o., Aug. 2i-Louis Peck, the
negro who assaulted little Christina Mas.
and who was primarily responsible for the
terrible riot here on Wednesday night,
was brought back from Cleveland this
afternoon and sentenced to the peniten-
tiary for life. No time was lost. Every
thing was done at forty-mile-an- hour
rate.
Just after leaving Cuyahoga Falls, while
the train was en- route from Cleveland,
Peck begged Prisonkeeper Washer TO shoot
him instantly in the event a mob was
awaiting him at Akron. Pecks fright in
creased as the train neared Akron. He
begged pitiously to be shot if a mob
threatened him. Washer did not consent.
The train carrying Peck arrived here at
$3.50 p. m. A carriage was waiting at the
railway station. and Peck was quickly
hustled into it. In three minutes the
courthouse was reached, and Peck was
arraigned before Judge Nye. The indict-
ment was read. Peck stood UP and pleaded
guilty He declared he had nothing TO
say, except that he threw himself on the
mercy of the court. The court then sem
fenced Peck TO life imprisonment in the
State penitentiary. Troops were on guard
at the railway station and along the route
to the courthouse. There was no demon
stration whatever. After Peck had been
sentenced he was at once taken In
closed carriage to the Center-street cross
ing of the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus
Railway and placed on board the train in
charge of Sheriff Kelly, and taken on TO
the State penitentiary at Columbus.
So quickly and quietly was Peck brought
into the city. sentenced and sent on to CO.
lumbus that but very few people knew
what had transpired. There was no crowd
at the railway. either when the train ar
rived or departed. Few who glanced at the
rapidly driven carriage suspected that it
contained the object of the furious mob on
Wednesday night, which wanted to lynch
the negro.
Peck was taken in at the rear door OF
the courthouse. There was stir among
the soldiers crowding 10 the rear of the
courtroom. Judge j. ID. Nye, OF Elyria,
presided. He arrived in Akron at noon to-
day Two minutes after Peck reached the
courtroom Deputy Sheriff Shershy read the
Indictment. Peck stood up, with manacled
hands. He pleaded guilty in firm voice.
His worn eyes shifted nervously about the
room. Then he sat down. and Prosecutor
Wanamaker whispered with him briefly
Then Judge Nye said: Mr.. Peck. you
have heard the indictment read charging
you with rape. You have pleaded guilty.
Have you anything to say?''
Il have nothing to say. except that
throw myself on the mercy OF the court"
replied Peck.
Continuing. Judge Nye said: 'In crimes
such as to which you pleaded guilty there
is but one penalty provided. That is irEi-
prisonment for life. II Is the judgment of
the court that you be confined in the penI-
tertiary for life. You must pay the cost OF
this proceeding. and that for the first
thirty days of your imprisonment you shall
be placed in solitary confinement"
There was stir in the back OF the room
and a rush Of the few spectators for the
door. A company of troops hurriedly
formed TO escort Peck TO the train wait
Ing at Cente--street crossing He was
taken 10 Columbus in charge OF Sheriff
Kelly. When Peck was hustled out OF the
rear door there was wild cheering from a
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