The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-04-22
WHITE MEN LYNCHED.
Four Wealthy Landowners Hanged
by Mob in Oklahoma.

Ada, Okla, April 19.-Two hum
dred citizens of Ada, nearly all OF
them of the better class, thoroughly
disguised with the Justice meted
out to criminals in the smaller
towns of Oklahoma, early to-day
took from Jail and hanged four
wealthy landowners for the murder
of Deputy United States Marshal A.
L. Bobbitt. The lynched men were
J. B.. Miller, Fort Worth, Texas; B.
B. Burren, Duncan, Okla; Jesse
West and Jos. Allen, of Canadian,
Texas.
Shortly after 8 o'clock this morn
ing the lynchers shut of the electric
street lights, cut the telephone COM
munication and quickly gathered
near the Jail. When all had assem-
bled. large man staggered out Of
the dark and said: Are you all
ready?" A confused buzzing was
the only answer. The men silently
made their way toward the jail.
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. Attor-
ney Wimbish said: "Men of Ada,
you are disgracing this community
in the eyes Of the world. Think this
matter over calmly and let the law
take its course. I appeal to you as
an officer of the law to return to
your homes
: The mob, without word, pro-
ceeded on it's way. The attorney
again attempted to talk to them.
"This is no time for speeches" said
the leader, and the march contin-
ued.
A high board fence surrounding
: the Jail was partly thrown down and
the crowd entered ths inclosure. The
leader advanced and pounded on the
Jail door. Only Guard Mccarthy was
on duty.
Mccarthy" said the leader,
.sopen this door at once. We mean
business. Hurry, its near daylight. "
+ .sYou might as well go home,
boys" quickly responded the OFF,
Ger. "This door will never be open
ed from this side"
Jail Door Broken.
After a conference three of the
mob threw themselves against the
frail Jail door and the mob rushed
in. Guard Mccarthy was knocked
senseless with revolver butt. The
-four prisoners we're quickly taken
out, although West fought desper-
ately.
s'If you're going to hang me, do
it, said Miller.
The mob led the four men to a
lane a few hundred feet away and
stood them in a straight line.
q, ..Tell us what you devils know
about Bobbitt's murder shouted
the leader.
4 West answered for the four, say
ing: 1--WE don't know who you men
are and we don't care. For myself,
Il 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 a Job to do. Why doI't you
do it? 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 a row.
Just before the rope was placed
about his neck Miller calmly remov-
ed a diamond from his shirt front
and requested that it be sent to his
wife In Fort Worth. From his neck
tie he drew out diamond scarf pin,
with the request that it be given to
Guard Mccarthy for his kindness to
him. As soon as the men were dead
the mob disappeared. At daylight
the bodies of the lynched men were
cut down.
When the mob removed the men
from Jail they did not molest Oscar
Peeler, II years old, who was impli-
Gated in the murder, but who had
turned States evidence. The boy
said that Miller killed Bobbitt and
that Jesse West paid Miller to COM
NIT the murder.
A coroner's jury this afternoon
returned the following verdict.
eve find that Jim Miller, B. B.
Burrell, Joe Allen and Jesse West
met their death by being hung by a
rope, and the death of each was
1n&S ror06rnna "