The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-24
TOWN FRENzIED BY THE
CRIME OF SEVEN BRUTES
AND LYNCHING IS FEARED
Husband Forced to Submission at
MuzZle of Revolver and Wife
Is Overpowered.
PETERSBURG SENDS POSSE
And Two Youths Are Arrested at
Flora, Ill.-Placed Under
Heavy Guard.
snecial 10 the Indiananolls Ionrnal.

Special 10 the indianapolis journal
PETERSBURG, Ind, Jan. 23-This city
has been aroused TO a frenzy of excitement
by one of the most atrocious crimes in the
history of the State. Late yesterday even
ing i'm Madison township about three
miles southwest of this place. Mrs. Lafay-
ette Dedman, wife OF a well-known farm
hand Of Madison township. was the victim of
an assault al the hands of a band of seven
men who forced her husband to submission
at the muzzle of a revolver.
Dedman and his wife were on their way
to the little village of Bowman. west of
here. They storped at a church on the
way. While in the building they were
seized by seven men. Dedman was forced TO
stand in a corner, covered by a revolver.
while his wife was overpOwered by their
brutal captors When they were released
Dedman carried his wife, who had lost con-
scousness, to the carriage, and hurried TO
this city.
Posses of officers and citizens were
formed Immediately upon, receipt of Ded-
mans information, and thorough search
of the country near here has been institut-
ed. Dedman charges Willard Gait with be-
ing the leader of the gang. and others are
thought to be known. warrant has been
sworn out against Gait. but he has not yet
been captured
TWO ARRESTS.
To-day an eighteen year-old youth named
Thomas and fourteen-year boy named
Sumner were apprehended by Clinton
Thomas, father OF the first. at Flora, Ill.,
and were returned to Pike county tonight
They are heavily guarded at secret spot
near Petersburg.
Open threats of lynching have compelled
the authorities to take every precaut6n
against any outbreak. Sentiment against
the atrocious deed is extreme, and threats
of summary mob vengeance are frequently
heard 1t is feared that neishbors OF the
Dedmans, near Wnslow will organize a
band and come to Petersburg
DedmAn lives not far from Winslow.
With his wife he started from Winslow to
visit relatives near Bowman four miles
from Petersburg. They arrived at Gladish
Chapel Just I'm time for the assembly of
singing school. They went in and attended
the school Dedman and wife again start
ed on their journey at the close OF the en-
tertainment, but the hour being late they
returned to the church intending To spend
the night there. The men who committed
the crime saw them enter and later forced
their way into the church after breaking
down "a door. Some OF the ruffians seized
Dedman while others caught his wife.
Dedman and his wife have always borne
| good regulations. He is member OF a
! prominent family. Dcinan visited Peters
! burg and told Postmaster CURL Of the crime
and the prosecuting attorney was sum
moned. warrant was issued tonight for
! one more of :he men still at large and there
is suspicion that he mas been surprised i'm
] his hiding plrce. -Four of the men are still
| unknown by name
Feeling at Petersburg is intense. The
] fathers Of both Thomas and Sumner are
| farmers who stand high among their neigh
! bOrs. Dedman and his wife are twenty
! eight and twenty-five years old. respect
| lively.