Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-11-26

Indiana farmers. armed and angry and
refusing to heed pite6us appeals for Iner-
cy, lynched James billiard Thursday
night in spite of the efforts of Sheriff
Dudley AMI Governor Durbin to protect
the negro captive. The mob hanged him
on a telegraph pole near John Lemons
farm, ten miles from Sullivan, in Knox
County
Previous to his execution by the mob
billiard had been identified by Mrs Mary
Davis. of Sullivan County, wife of Milton
Davis, and Mrs. Lemon as the man who
gttacked them the previous Tuesday.
Both women are still in critical condi-
ton as a result of injuries inflicted by
the negro.
The attacks on Mrs Davis and Mrs
Lemon aroused the entire region for miles
surrounding their homes. Men and boys
swore TO be avenged # the perpetrator
could be captured. Posses were organ
lied and the police of raany towns and
the sheriffs of all nearby counties
were asked to join in the man hunt.
Negro Arrested in Illinois.
billiard was arrested Wednesday Mt
Lawrenceville, Ill. after a fight with the
town marshal in which the negro was
shot three times. News of his capture
and of the suspicion that he was the
aSsailant of Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Lemon
spread rapidly and at once rumors of Il
prospective lynchins arose. IrtordefAto
protect billiard better the marginal Vf
Lawrenceyille, took him to Robinson, III.
John Lemon was informed of the cap
ture and he hurried to Robinson. He
identified the prisoner as the perpetrator
of the assaults in Indiana
Sheriff Dudley, of Sullivan, went to
Robinson. secured the prisoner ami with
several deputies to assist brought him
10 Sullivan Thursday afternoon. The
sheriff made al attempt to steal into
town without the knowledge of the citi-
zens. But the angry farmers were on
guard at every conceivable spot. Half
hundred determined men with reyolvers
in pockets or shotguns in hand awaited
the sheriff's return and they discovered
the sheriff the moment he reached town
with the prisoner.
Mob Seizes and Beats Prisoner.
Sheriff Dudley and the negro, accom-
panied by the deputies, came back in a
wagon. As Dudley drove up to the Jail
the members of the mob ran from hiding
places and overpowered the officers The
deputies offered resistance but were COM
PEELED to release the negro. billiard
begged for mercy. The mob beat him
over the head with reviewers
billiard was dragged into the main
street of Sullivan and thrown into a
wagon. The mob then followed after
the wagon and he was taken to the home
of Mrs. Davis, where he was identified
Then the mob started with 'thenegro for
the farm of John Lemon The mob mean
time had swelled to enormous proper
tons.
Mob outwits the Governor.
Soon the mob learned that an appeal
had been made to Governor Durbn for
troops to protect billiard. 1t also learned
that the Governor had ordered Captain
Mccoy, with Company 4 of the State
guard. to leave Vmcennes by special
train and intercept the mob at some point
between Carlisle and Oaktown. At once
the mob took means to thwart the Gov
prisoner dashed their horses and drove
10 Lemons home by route that avoided
the railroad,
II Abok Spilie tlitle 10 get the .-infiitld-
men together and more to prepare spe-
cial train. Meanwhile the mob drove the
ten miles to Lemons. secured the iden-
tifcation of billiard by Mrs. Lemon. and
then started back to Sullivan. y mile
from the farm the farmers held coun-
Gil, condemned billiard to death and, in
spite of his pleas for mercy, threw a rope
over pole and jerked him into the air.
When he was dead the mob dispersed.
Protests He Is innocent.
Before his execution billiard was asked
if he wished to make any disposition of
his body.
Yes, l want it sent to my mother,
Mrs. Anna Rursh. 14th street Indian
apolis, was the reply Il die an inno-
cent man and l hope You won't beat me
with clubs or shoot me"
The leaders of the mob assured billiard
they would not torture him.
Then | am ready To go TO my maker"
he said without n tremor in his voice or
the least sign Of fear. He muttered a
prayer as the crowd drew him up.
News Of the lynching reached Vim
cennes and the Governors office in In
dianapolis just as the State troops were
taking n train. The Governor then coun-
demanded the order calling out the
troops.
TeIegraDhic Brevities.
Cholera is raging in the city of Jerusa-
lem.