The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-10-06

Ing. Joseph Spivey, who dangled from
the limb of a tree in Oxford, is a
nervous wreck as the result Of his
awful experiences. Louis Spivey, his
brother, who figured in the shooting
affair is reported to he in critical
condition. He was. shot through the
head. Both prisoners appeared to be
much relieved when they were placed
behind the bars in Butler county Jail.
Oxford, o., Oct. 2. - This college
town is wildly excited over terri
BILE tragedy that occurred in the streets
during the agricultural carnival at G
o'clock last night.
AS a result of an effort by Village
Marshal John Woodruff to arrest Louis
Spivey, of Wagonfield, KY, four men
are shot, three perhaps fatally, and an
| other Is lying near death from G frac-
tured skull.
Terrible scenes and an attempt tc
lynch Joe Spivey followed the rioting.
Only the determined action of Luke
Rrannon, deputy sheriff of Butler
county, who arrived from Hamilton at
/ $3.50 p. m, prevented the success of
the mob's plan. Almost unaided he
cut Spivey from a tree to which the
mob had suspended him.
| The rioting began at C o'clock when
Marshal Woodruff attempted to arrest
| Louis Spivey, who had been exhibit
| in the streeteeeeeeeeeeeete ottttoo
ing pistols and was drinking whisky
in the street. He had no sooner seiz-
ed Louis than ice stepped back, and
without warning, shot Woodruff down.
The street crowd, when it recovered
from the shock, rushed for neighbor-
ing hardware stores, and, seizing shot
guns and revolvers,
PURSUED THE FUGITIVES.
Both the Spiveys drew pistols and a
running battle in crowded High street
| followed.
Deputy Marshal Manroad was shot
twice upon the first fire. e. V. Jotter
was hit by stray bullet as he entered
his house opposite Oxford College. The
fugitives made stand, firing repeat
edly, but the crowd rushed them. The
shooting was general.
At the next alley, Louis Spivey turn
ed north and was shot in the side be-
fore he had gone fifty feet. He was
| captured and taken to the police sta
tion, where he was dying in the very
door of the station.
| The mob made rush for him, but
the police beat them off and got him in.
Meantime part of the crowd pursued
Joe Spivey, who ran west on Church
street.
In front of d. NJ Weisman's house
Spivey made his last stand, emptying
his last pistol on I.etchef Burton, a
young colored man, who led the pur-
suers.
The plucky negro kept on and, fol-
lowing him across lots, overlook
| Spivey in North street. AS he came up
Burton smashed the fugitive in the
head with rock, knocking him sense
less. Ex-Mayor Flanagan and others
took charge Of the man, whom they
carried to the Jail.
The mob, which now had a rope,
tried to get him also, but it had no
leader and the officers
GOT THEIR MAN INSIDE
| Soon a sullen mob of several hun
dred formed. The wounded men were
operated on in various doctors offices,
and the crowd awaited eagerly for
news. Marshal Woodruff's aged father
a farmer, arrived soon after, and wildly
urged on the mob.
AS excitement grew message was
sent to Hamilton for aid. Luckily Dep
uty Sheriff Brannon responded. Mayor
Muddell and others took their station
in window in the city hall and made
speeches to the people, asking them
to disperse. All was of no avail
At s o'clock the mob reformed under
the leadership of Woodruff's father.
Finally at $3.50 o'clock the mob rushed
the side door of the police station.
Entering the cell room they seized
Joe Spivey, who had recovered con-
sciousness. A rope was put about his
neck and he was hustled out to the
old elm tree, where Henry Corbin, q
negro, was lynched twelve years ago.
"Take him to the tree where we
hanged the Niger" yelled the crowd
Spivey walled piteously: my God
men, let me write to my wife and
baby before you kill me-" he cried,
LET me pray. Give me chance for
word to my WIFE,"
The rope was thrown over limb and
Spivey was jerked up. His hands had
not been tied, and that saved his life.
Grasping the rope over his head he
pulled himself and, gurgling and chok-
ing, begged for moment to write.
ALLOWED TO WRITE.
"Let him write and pray" shouted
some humane person.
| The man was let down and piece OF
paper was given him. He began to
write, crying all the time to slacken
the rope.
At this moment the negroes took a
hand
'If he was a Niger you wouldn't give
him time" and, seizing the rope, they
jerked Spivey into the air.
| He would have been dead in few
moments but for the resohte action OF
Deputy Sheriff Brannon, who, single
handed, rushed in, and, with knife,
cut the rope.
| Spivey fell, and Brannon grabbed
him and ran for the police station be-
fore the mob could interfere. The
mob pursued. but Brannor got his map