Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-15
MOB STORMS JAIL
IN PENNSYLVANIA
Two Thousand Infuriated
Citizens ClamOred In
Vain at Jail Door
to Lynch Negro.

BUTLER. Pa, Sept. IA mob OF
drunken rOwdies tonight wrecked the
front part OF the Butler county Jail, occu-
pied BY SheriI Hoon. his wife. son and
daughters.
The direct cause OF the attack on the
fail was the desire Of a mob OF 1000 men.
maddened By the horrible crime OF Jerry
Bennett TO lynch him.
me bad whisky imbibed by the worst
element OF the crowd aroused all the bru-
tally and lawlessness in their nature and
led them to make a second attack on the
fail after those who were merely after
Bennett had retired from the scene
About $50 O'Clock tonight the feeble cry
OF mamma" coming from beneath a
box car near. the West Pennsylvania rail-
road station led passers by 10 investigate.
Crime Was Fiendish.
They found the seven-year-old daugh-
ter Of John Wagner. a tailor. her cloth
fnE torn and body bleeding, q prisoner at
the mercy OF Bennett.
While tender hands carried the child
away Bennett was made captive. No
consideration was given the man, as sim
flar attempts had been charged against
him. The rapidly augmented crowd bound
Bennetts arms and legs together and
dragged him like a log over the ties. Gin
ders and rails OF the railroad tracks IN
inercifully as they went
Near the railroad station Squire Gil
christ stopped the crowd. which was fast
increasing in size and frenzy.
In the meantime all the police In the
town had been summoned and while
Squire GIlchrist argued with the mob.
the officers stealthily grabbed Bennett and
FASTENED 10 street car on which they
hustled him to the county jail half a
mile away.
~Lyneh Himl" the Cry.
when the mob realized that Bennett
was out Of their hands their anger knew
no bounds and. gathering recruits as they
went. they made rush for the jail and
demanded an entrance which Sheriff
Hoon refused
Stones we're showered against the struc-
ture. doors and windows were smashed
and yeIls OF Lynch him." were heard
from hundreds OF threats above the ter
rihle din
Members Of the mob went TO the new
National bank building. secured large
planks. which they used as a battering
ram against the doors OF the jail, which
gave way before the onslaught.
rush was made into the hallway and
stones and clubs were hurled at Sheriff
HoOn and his family. who attempted 10
block the passageway leading to the jail
corridor.
Bloody Battle Fought.
Deputy Sheriff Rainey HO0n seized a
part OF the splintered door and began to
club the mob back
one OF the latter, James Dougherty, was
probably fatally injured
Sheriff Hoon and his deputies drew their
revolvers and fusilade OF shots followed.
One OF the mob was shot and badly hurt.
The shots had a quoting effect and
the mob slowly withdrew, but returned
shortly, determined this time TO lynch
both Bennett and HOon. The burgess Of
the town, realizing that Affairs were be-
yond his control. sent hurried appeal TO
the captain OF company L, Sixteenth reg
fment. national guards.
The pastor OF ST. Peters Protestant
Episcopal church appealed to the crowd
70 disband and was roughly handled. One
OF the police who attempted 10 make an
arrest was dragged over the public
Will Shoot TO Kill.
A score OF deputies and policemen stand
Guard inside the shattered fail door and
are determined TO shoot 70 kill should
another attempt be made TO enter the
building in the basement OF which Ben
nett is securely chained In a steel cell.
The mob has not yet dispersed and more
trouble seems imminent at any moment.
Benefits little victim is In an extremely
serious condition and her recovery is
doubtful
Bennett is a veteran OF the Spanish
American war and bears a bad reputation.
being accused Of several similar crimes
within the past six months.
H00n called on n number Of local militia
20 asst him 10 protect the jail The men
said they could not use arms without or
ders from the governor. The sheriff then
sent a telephone message 20 the governor,
asking for assistance. No reply had been
received at 2:45 a m
At O'Clock the mob has practically dis
persed and the officers consider all dan
ger over for the night.