New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-08
NEGRO LYNCHED IN OHIO.
HE KILLED Il POLICEMAN.
Springfield Mob Feared Lac Would
Be Too EaSy.

Springfield, Ohio. March 7.-At II O'Clock to-
night Richard Dixon. a negro who shot and
killed Policeman COLTS, was taken from the ian
and shot to death in the jan yard The body
was taken from there TO Main-st and Fountain
ave. and hanged TO a telegraph pole. The mob
spent the next half hour riddling the body with
bullets.
The mob forced an entrance to the fail by
breaking IN the east doors with a railroad iron.
At 1870 o'clock the mob melted rapidly. and
It was the general opinion that.no more attempts
would be made to force an entrance.
Small groups Of men. however. could be seen
in the shadows OF the courthouse. two adjacent
livery stables and several dwelling houses At
lO.45 o'clock the police were satisfied that there
was nothing more to fear and they. with other
officials and newspaper men, passed freely in
and out Of the jail.
shortly before IL O'Clock n diversion was made
by a small crowd moving from the east doors
around 20 the south entrance. The police fol-
lowed and a bluff made at jostling them
of the steps leading up to the south entrance
The crowd at this point kept growing. while
there were yens Of Hold the police!" smash
the DOORS Lynch the nigger," interspersed
with revolver shots.
Meanwhile the party with the heavy railway
iron was beating AZ the east door, which shortly
yielded 10 the battering ram as did the inner
lattice iron doors. The mob then surged through
the east door. overpowered the sheriff. turnkey
and a handful Of deputies and began the assault
on the iron turnstile leading 10 the cells.
The police from the south door were called in
side 70 help keep the mob from the cells. and in
five minutes the south door had shared the fate
Of the east one. In an incredibly short time the
tan was filed by a mob OF 30 men. with all the
entrances and yard gates blocked by fully 1900
men. thus making it impossible for the militia
10 have prevented access 10 the negro. had II
been on the scene. The heavy iron partition
leading to the cells resisted the mob effectually
until cold chisels and sledgehammers were
brought The paddock 10 the turnste was
broken and the mob soon filed the corridors
leading 10 the cells.
Seeing that further resistance was useless.
and 10 avoid the killing OF innocent prisoners,
the authorities consented 10 the demand o: the
mob for the right man. He was dragged from
the cell 20 the paved court in the jail yard.
Fearing an attempt on the part Of the police
10 rescue him. the leaders formed a hollow
square. Some one knocked the negro to the
ground and those near 70 him fell back four
or five feet. Nine shots were fired into his
PROSTATE body, and satisfied that he was dead,
dozen men grabbed the lifeess body. and,
with a triumphant cheer. the mob surged into
Columbia-st. and marched 10 FoUntain-ave.. one
OF The principal thoroughfares in the town
From here they marched south 20 the inter
section Of Main street and rope was tied
around Dixon's neck. Two men climbed the
pole and threw the rope over the topmost cross /
tie and drew the body about eighteen feet above
the street The fusillade then negan and for
thirty minutes the body kept swaying
back and forth from the force OF the rain OF
bullets which poured in Il. Frequently
the arms would fly up convusively when a
muscle was struck and the mob went fairly wild
with delight
Through It all good order was maintained. and
every one seemed in the best OF humor. joking
with his nearest ueighb0r while reloadiug his
revolver
Coils was shot by Dixon Sunday morning
while the latter was In his room in a hotel
here removing his baggage. He had decided
20 quit the place. and. fearing trouble with
Anna Corbin. a woman with whom lie
was acquainted. Dixon asked Coils TO 20 20
The hotel with him. While in his room. Dixon
and the Corllu woman Quarrelled and Dixon IS
said 10 have shot her in the breast. The police
man then attempted 10 arrest Dixon, when the |
latter fired into the officers body, nfctiug
fatal wounds.