The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-20
Not Satisfied With Laws De- Iay Two Hundred Men
 Use a Rope
VICTIMS WERE MEN IN
 JAIL ON MURDER CHARGE
Attempts to Hold the Mob Back Are Vain and the County Attorneys Words Had No Effect
 Upon the Men.

Ada, Okla, April 19-Two hundred cit izens of Oklahoma, practically all of them of the better class, who were thoroughly dlsgusted at the kind of justice meted out to criminals in the smaller towns of Oklahoma, today took the law into their own hands and hanged four men for the murder of Deputy United States Marshal A. L. Bobbitt.
 The lynched victims are J. B. Miller, Fort Worth. Tex, cattleman; B. B. Bur rell Duncan, Okla, ranch owner; Jesse West. Canadian, Texas ranch owner; Joe Allen, Canadian, Texas, ranch owner A few minutes after 3 o'clock this morn- ing the electric lights were suddenly shut off and the city was plunged into dark ness. Telephone communication was also cut off. Soon few stragglers began to appear near the jail building.
 Good morning, neghbor.'' was the greeting; its fine day today, and the newcomer, admitting that it was. soon found himself chatting with those who strode in apparent leisure to the spot. The crowd grew larger and there was lit- tie said
 big man in a slouch hat soon ap- peared.
 / "Glad to see you, boys" he said. Are you all ready
 On to the Jail.
 suppressed cry was the only answer. The men silently made their way toward the Jail few blocks away.
 They had scarcely gone a block when County Attorney Robert Wimbish, who had received word that the mob was forming, met them. The crowd came to a stop at his request. Attorney Wimbish said:
 Men of Ada. you are disgracing this community in the eyes of the world. Think this matter over clamly and let the law take it's course I appeal to you as an officer of the law to return to your homes"
 The mob listened attentiyely. then pro. ceeded on it's way. The attorney attempt ed again to talk to them This is no time for speeches., said the leader and the march was resumed.
 The jail was soon reached. A high board fence surrounding 1t was thrown down and the crowd entered the enclos- ure. There was whispered conversation and then the tall man in the slouch hat advanced and pounded on the jail door. Only one man, Guard Mccarthy, was on 7 duty.
 .'McCarthy," said the leader, "open the door at once. We mean business. Hurry, it's near daylight
 You might as well go home, boys,'' replied the guard This door will never open from this side"
 Another whispered conference and then three of the mob threw themselves against the frail jail door and the mob rushed in.
 Guard Struck Down.
 Guard Mccarthy was struck with re- yolver and rendered unconscious. The four prisoners were quickly secured. West fought desperately. The others made no resistance.
 If you're going to hang me, do it quick" said Miller.
 The mob led the four men to a barn 4 q few hundred feet away and stood them in straight line.
 "rell what you devils know about Bobbitts murder shouted the mob to- gether.
 West answered for the four. He said: We don't know who you men are and we don't care. For myself, I know if had a six-shooter few of you would bite the dust But that's talk as my shooting iron is in Texas. You boys ap- pear to have job to do. Why don't you do it? We won't tell anything and you The ropes--' the leader broken in, and the four were carried to a beam and
 
 about his neck, Miller calmly removed diamond from spis shirt front and quested that 1t be sent to his wife in Fort Worth. From his necktie he drew out diamond scarf pin with the request that 1t be given Guard Mccarthy for his kindness to him.
 Bodies Cut Down.
 At daylight the bodies of the lynched men were cut down.
 When the mob removed the men from the iail they failed to molest Oscar Peel or. a 17-year-old boy, who was implicated in the murder, but who had turned states evidence. The boy confessed this after noon He said that Miller killed Bobbitt. Jesse West paid. Miller to commit the murder.
 The coroner's jury met this afternoon and returned the following verdict: We find that Jim Miller, B. B. Burrell, Joe Allen and Jesse West met their deaths by being hung by rope and that the death of each was caused by strangu- lation produced by the ropes placed about their necks by parties whose names are to the jury unknown The jury makes no recommendation that the matter be in- vestigated. The county attorney declared today that he will investigate the lynch ing but asserts there Is no evidence and that there probably yill be no prosecu-