The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-04-06
NO ARRESTS
Continued from Hirst Pags.)

the neglect Of the federal government to
furnish this penalty.
PactfstS Action
So far as could be learned Tonight
the action Of the mob was preciipitous
and no person as yet has stated con-
crete instances Of disloyalty by Prayer.
1t Is known that he registered AS an
enemy alien at the office OF the United
States marshal In st. Louis on June p,
last giving his occupation as a baker.
He asked for permit to enter all
barred zones to seek employment The
permit was granted 1t was also dis
covered that he registered for the army
draft on June S. last and that In April
1917, he caused the arrest OF man on
a disloyalty charge. His friends assert
no was radical In his views on Socialism
but that when the United States en-
tered the war he declared he was all
for America"
or Saloon Origin.
The mob idea had its inception. II was
stated tonight. in a saloon on the out
skirts Of tho city. where miners from
Maryville and Collinsville gathered.
Many Of the men were foreigners, VINO
understood little English, and 1t Is be-
lieved the remarks Of Prayer wore mag
nif1ed, with a tragic result.
Rumors that quantities OF powder had
been boarded in mine by Prayer ana
that In his home were found numerous
discriminating maps also were oehieo w.
night by the authorities.
Prayer was unmarried. and so ra' as
is known has no relatives in this coun-
try. He was born in Dresden. germany,
and came to the United States IN 1Soo'
COLLINSVILLE, ILL.,. April 5.-hneer-
ing with his arms crossed. ROBERT =
Prayer. who was lynched by mop las.
night at midnight for alleged o'Sios a.
utterapces prayed in German for three
n,in,,tes before he was strung up, &C
cording to statements To-Day ny
Of the lynchinE party.
Prayer was 4 coal miner and yester-
day at Maryville. ILL.,. in an ADDRESS "
the miners on socialism. Is said 10 nav
made remarks derogatory t" PresioehS
Wilson. Miners there became angry anu
u.bcn tbev threatened to do him bodily
harm no escaped TO CollinsTiile' MS
home Some Of the miners, however,
followed him, collected a cro"o' LOON
prayer from his home and led MN part
foot through the street waving III
American flag. .,,,
The police lr'lTlHS SlO'SH\N'
Prayer from the crowd and placed MN
In the city hall. Later large "loo
gathered in front Of the hall ana ae,
handed the man. Mayor ]. II. Siesel
counseled calmness, but the ponce loFce
of four was overpOwered and Praee.
was found in the basement OF tho nan
hiding beneath. a pile OF filing. He was
dragged down the street and beyond inc
city limits. the crowd threa'eHiis ~
shoot If the officers approached
Ono mile west OF the city the rope
by which Prayer had been LED was
thrown over the limb nf tree. he was
asked If he had anything to say n'S
answer was 70 drop to his knees ana
with arms crossed To pray III Herihun
for three minutes. With"ut ahotn..
word he was pulled into the air ten leet
and allowed TO hang .
Tho mob then dispersed. The ponce
say Prayer, while in their CUSTODY. na"
stated nc, was Il registered enemy amen
that h.. WAS born in Germany but tna'
he had taken out his first naturailZa-
lion papers and had hoped I" become an
American citizen.