The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-04-05
BULLETIN.

w aShlngton, April S.-NttOrney
General Gregory took to the cabinet
meeting today for discussion with
President Wilson a report of the
lynching OF German, Robert p.
Prayer, at Collinsville, ILL.,, last
night. The government is expected
to denounce the mob's lawless act,
and to express the hope that there
will be no repetition elsewhcr.
Washington, April 5.--Until the
federal government is given power
to punish persons making disloyal
utterances, department of Justice Of
ticialS fear more lynchings, such as
that OF Robert p. Prayer, a German,
at Collinsville, ILL.,, last night.
The government has no authority
to take action against the lynchers,
but officials of the department OF
Justice deplored the act, and eN-
pressed the hope that state or local
authorities would speedily punish
the lynchers.
At the same time it was pointed
out that as soon as congress passes
the pending bill making it federal
ottense to speak or write obviously
disloyal criticism OF the United
States in the war, the government
can punish these acts and reduce the
danger OF mob action.
\ brief report on the lynching
reached the attorney general today
from United States Attorney Chas.
| A. karche. Further details were
asked.
Officials made plain that they de
plored the incident, both because oi
the effect in this country, and also
because it is feared reprisals may
be made in Germany on Americans
Collinsyille, ILL.,, April 5.-Robert
Prayer, IS years old, and German
born, after twice escaping mob VIC
lence, was hanged to a tree shortly
after midnight by "a mob Of $50 per
sons who declared he had made dis
loyal utterances. Prayer was drag
gcd from the basement OF the city
hall here, where he had been in hid
ing, escorted barefoot through tn,
main street Of the city to a poin
one mile west Of here on the roaC
leading to St. Louis, and there hi.
body was found dangling to tn,
limb OF Il tree.
Angers Coal Miners.
Prayer was coal miner and yes
terday was in Marysville, ILL.,, wher,
he addressed miners on socialism.
During his talk he is said to hav,
made remarks derogatory to Presi
dent Wilson.
Miners there became angry, ant
when they threatened to do hin
bodily harm he escaped to Collins
vile, his home. Some of the miners
however, followed him and described
his actions to local persons.
a crowd soon gathered and Pra
ger was taken from his home an,
led through the street waving al
American flag.
The police, fearing violence, too
Prayer from the crowd and place.
him in the city hall. Later mo
gathered in front of the hall an
demanded the man.
Mayor !. II. Siegel counsele
calmness, but the small force O
police and deputies was overpower
ed and Prayer was found in tn
basement of the hall hiding benin
a piece of tiling. He was dragge
down the street and beyond tn
city limits, the crowd threatenin
to shoot if the officers approached
Hanged to a Tree.
One mile west of the city tn
rope by which Prayer had been le
was thrown over the limb of tire,
The man was asked if he had any
, thing to say. His answer was t
drop TO his knees and with arm
, crossed to pray in German for thre
= minutes. Without another word h
was pulled into the air ten feet an
b allowed to hang.
The mob then dispersed, bu
when officers arrived later, the