The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1909-04-21
4 RICH MEN LYNCHED
Citizens Of Ada, Okla, Disgust
ed With SIoWness of Justice.

Had Turned States Evidence.
Ada, Okla, April 2O.-Two hundred
citizens of Ada, nearly all Of them OF
the better class, thoroughly disgust
ed with the justice meted out to Grim
Nals in the smaller towns of Oklaho-
ma, took from Jail and hanged four
wealthy land owners for the murder
of Deputy United States Marshal A.
l.. Bobbitt. The lynched men were
G. B. Miller Fort Worth, Tex; B. B.
Burrell, Duncan, Okla; Jesse West
and Joseph Allen of Canadian, Texas.
Shortly after a. m. the lynchers
shut off the electric lights, cut the
telephone communication and quietly
gathered near the jail. When all had
assembled, a large man staggered
out of the darkness and said: Are
you all ready?" A confused buzzing
was the only answer. The men ST.
lently made their way toward the jail.
Protest by County Attorney.
They had scarcely started before
they met County Attorney Robert
Wimbish, who had received word that
the mob was forming. The crowd
stopped at his request Attorney VIM
bish said:
"NIen of Ada, you are disgracing
this community in the eyes of the
world. Think this matter over calm.
| ly and let the law take its course.
appeal to you as an officer Of the law
to return to your homes"
The mob, without a word, proceed.
ed on its way. The attorney attempt
ed again to talk to them.
"This is no time for speeches"
said the leader, and the march con.
tinued.
A high board fence surrounding the
| Jail was partly thrown down and the
crowd entered the enclosure. The
leader advanced and pounded on the
Jail door. Only Guard Mccarthy was
on duty
After a conference, three Of the
mob threw themselves against the
frail jail door and the mob rushed In.
Guard Mccarthy was knocked sense.
less with revolver butt. The four
prisoners were quickly taken out, al
though West fought desperately.
"If you're going to hang me, do It
quick" said Miller.
The mob led the four men to barn,
a few hundred feet away and stood
them in a straight line.
Tell us what you devils know about
Bobbitt's murder" shouted the mob
leader.
West answered for the four, saying
eve don't know who you men are
and We don't care. For myself know
If | had a six-shooter a few of you
would bite the dust, but that's talk as
long as my shooting iron is in Texas
You boys appear to have job to do
Why don't YOU do 1t? We won't tell
anything, and you - -"
"The ropes" the leader broke in
and the four prisoners were carried to
beam and strung up in row.
Victim Left Diamond For His Wife.
Just before the rope was placed
about his neck. Miller calmly removed
a diamond from his shirt front and re
uuested that 1t be sent to his wife In
Fort Worth. From his necktie he
drew out diamond scarfpin with the
request that it be given to Guard Nc
Carthy for his kindness to him. AS
soon as the men were dead the mol
disappeared. At daylight the bodies
of the lynched men were cut down.
When the mob removed the mer
from Jail, they did not molest Oscar
Peeler, II years old, who was impli
Gated in the murder, but who hat
turned states evidence. The boy saiC
that Miller killed Bobbitt and tha
Jesse West paid Miller to commit the
murder.
While he bore the reputation of {
bad man." ]. ]. Miller of Fort Worth
one of the four men lynched, wa,
popular among the best class of citi
zens. His widow and three children
are held in high esteem. Reports
vary as to the number of men MilleI
killed, estimates placing it anywhere
from 10 to 30.
Most of his victims were either cat
tie thieves or men whom he shot II
self-defense. He was one Of the las
of the old-time Texas cattle "kipSs,
among whom It was a custom to us,
the six-shooter in defense of persona
and property rights.
Burrell. another of the four lynched
while his home was at Duncan, Okla
had many relatives in Texas.
brother and his mother live at Weath
erford He owned many cattle, it 4
said
Joseph Allen and Jesse West o
, Canadian. Tex, were wealthy ant
, owned tracts of lands and numerou
herds OF cattle. There was an oil,
feud existing between these two mel
and former United States Marsha
Bobbitt, ard years ago, It is said
, Bobbitt forced Allen and West to fle
from Texas because of alleged high
wav robbery and cattle thefts