The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-11
PiersOl, Swung Twice From
Tree, Compels Lynchers
to Desist.
SHERIFF ALSO PLEADS
Prisoner Asserts That He
and Others Under Arrest
Are Innocent.
SEIZURE AFTER CHASE
Young Citizens of Springfield,
Mo-, Overtake Party at
Stockton.
SEIZURE AFTER CHASE

sPRiNoFIEr.D, Mo-. June 1o.-Proba-
bility OF death from mob bent on lynch
ing him for suspected completely in the
abductiop and murder Of fourteen
months-old Lloyd Keet did not frlghten
G. ]. Piersol into confessing a part in
the crime.
He and his five fellow prisoners were
taken from the custody OF Sheriff viii
Webb at Stockton, forty miles northwest
OF here, early to-day by forty-fve
Springfield citizens who had for more
than twenty hours raced in automobiles
to overtake the Sheriff while the latter
was speeding his prisoners to safety in
the State prison at jefferson City.
When the mob reached Stockton the
Sheriff sternly pleaded with the crowd
that justice be allowed to take Its course.
but the leaders insisted upon seizing
PiersoI. from whom they believed they
might extort a confession.
With rope around his neck. accord
Ing to reports reaching the Sheriffs
Office here, Piersol was led to tree and
an opportunity was given to him to
confess. Stoutly denying his guilt the
prisoner was swung up from the ground
and hanged until he was black In the
face. Then his captors lowered him
and offered him one more chance for
life. Piersol insisted not only upon his
innocence but that of the four men and
one woman who also were prisoners.
The crowd pulled the rope again. de-
claring that he would be put to death
anyhow, and Piersol remained silent.
Sheriff. Plea Succeeds.
Sheriff Webb again pleaded with the
mob and the swinging man was re-
leased. The mob leaders said they did
not want to kill an innocent man. but
that they did not intend to let Piersol
go until they were satisfied and had a
reasonable doubt of his guilt. Piersol
was handed back into the Sheriff's GUS
tody and the mob then scattered.
Paul ODay, County Prosecutor Of
Greene county, after returning to Spring.
field from Stockton said there was no
truth 10 the statements that ropes had
been used or that any one was hanged
10 a tree by the mob. However, resi-
dents OF Humansville. eighteen miles
east Of Stockton. and at Nevada, west OF
the little town, confirmed the reports
that reached the Sheriffs Office.
Sheriff Webb returned to Springfield
tonight and gave out a statement con-
hrming earlier reports that members of
the mob had overtaken him at Stockton
and had threatened one of the prisoners
with death. He said that four of the
prisoners were in jail at Stockton, while
the two others were being taken north
II t. ~. -
Of Greene county and the Sheriff OF
Cedar county.
The story OF the events at Stockton as
related by Webb were that prominent
young men of Springfield" unmarked
had met him at Stockton and dema nded
that they be allowed to talk to the pris-
oners. They gave their word Of honor
that no harm would come to the prison
ers unless they confessed to the death
Of little Lloyd. Adams and Piersoi then
were turned over to them. Adams was
taken to the Lodge Hall at Stockton and
severely questioned. but refused to con.
fess. the Sheriff said.
Maintains Innocence of All.
Piersol then was escorted to the edge
OF town. a rope placed around his neck
and one end of IL thrown over a tree
"Piersol thought his last day had come, -
Webb said. land was facing DEATH But
he maintained throughout that he and
others we're innocent
The Coroner's inquiry into the Keet
case will be held Wednesday morn
ing. Authorities said that additional
revelations would be made then and that
undoubtedly a recommendation would
be made for the arrest OF several per
sons. The baby's funeral will be held
Tomorrow afternoon from the family
home here. Mr.. and Mrs. J. Holland
keet. the baby's parents, and Mrs. ]. NJ.
keet, his grandmother, were under the
care OF physicians to-day and fears were
expressed that they would not recover.
The grandmother Is one OF the city's
weslthiest residents.
County and Federal authorities nave
given no indication OF intending to alter
the warrants under which the six pris-
oners were being held The formal
charge s that Of attempting to commit
Q felony by planning abductions. the
cases referred to being alleged plans ia
kidnap c. A. Clement, a wealthy jeweIIer
here; q baby and a st. Louis munitions
alrAr