The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-06
ERROR FEARED .
IN LYMHING0 OF
'DISL0YAL' MAN
Illinois Mob Starts to Tar
Prayer, but Then
Hangs Him.
"INNOCENT" PLEA IS VAIN
Lack of Law to Punish Sedi-
tiOn Is Blamed-NO Proof
Of Victims Guilt.

CoLLINsvILIR. ILL.,, April NO arrests
Of Robert Paul Prayer. suspected Of dis
loyalty. which happened near here at an
early hour this morning. Coroner Lowe
will hold an inquest next Monday, and
meanwhile the local police will not act,
although some persons in the mob are
said to have been identified.
Mayor Siegel Of this city said to-day
he would cooperate with the State and
county officials in the case. but would
take no independent action as the crime
was committed outside Of the city limits.
Gov. Lowden and United states Dis
trict Attorney Knots have issued state
ments demanding the prosecution Of the
guilty parties, and the State Attorney
General will be represented at the in
quest. No concrete evidence Of disloyalty
has been cited against Prayer no far.
and there II feeling In some quarters
that the mob may have made serious
mistake.
Tar ana Feathers Planned.
Prayer. who was 20 years old and
whose folks reside In Germany. was
taken from the ja!l by the mob. which
broke down the doors after they had
overpowered the lone euard. II was
learned to-day that the mob at first did
not intend TO lynch Prayer. but meant
to give him a coat OF tar and feathers and
run him out OF town. as had been done
a few days sRo to several residents Of
towns not far from Collinsvillc. The
crowd became angry when they were uM-
able to find the tar and decided to hang
Prayer.
Practically all Of the lumber yards In
the town were searched for tar. while
the mob was leading the man through
the streets. Suddenly some one yelled,
Let's hang him" THE shout imme-
diately was taken up by several hundred
men and boys who made up the mob.
IL was not until Prayer arrived at the
crest of the hill overlooking the Mis-
s!ss!ppi River and the men began to tie
the rope around his nec. tha, he realized
his danger.
some one in the crowd suggested that
Prayer might want to make q statement
OF some kind.
brothers, you are making a mistake
I am innocent" Praser exclaimed. but
his Flea fel! Oh dea, ea..s. Then ne
asked for a p!ece II ,Aper and a pencil.
and in steady hand addressed a final
note to his parenss in Dresden, Ger
many.
The note, which is now in the lands
Of Coroner Lowe. read as follows:
DEAR PARENTs-On this, the 4th day
OF April, 1915 ] must die, Please pray
cor me, my dear parents. This is my
last letter and testament. Your dear
SON and brother. RoBEEr PAUL"
The note was written in German
The letter is addressed to his father.
Carl Henry Prayer. York street, Dres-
den.
Threat of Martial Law.
Gov. Lowden Of Illinois to-day issued
a statement In which he declared that
Madison county viii. be placed under
martial law II there are any indications
that such thing as transpired early
to-day might reoccur.
The announcement followed a confer
ence which Gov. Lowden had with Al
torney General Brundage and Assistant
Adjutant- General Shand. Both the Ad-
tutant- General and tho Attorney General
have sent representatives to Coliinsville
to make a thorough Investigation OF the
lynching. State Attorney Streuber Of
Madison county had been instructed TO
make every effort to ascertain the
identity Of persons in the mob and see
tHdt tIieN dI0 bcNeTtty ueNN WILL NT
Brundage expressed great Indignation
to Mr.. Streuber.
This mob violence In the State must
be suppressed ne said. NO matter
what the motive, such action Is no,
justified"
Mob violence against persons sus-
pected Of sedition or treason in Illinois
will not be tolerated" Gov. Lowden de-
ciared. THE guilty persons will be
brought to Justice and martial law will
be declared unless such demonstrations
cease.
81 have had a conference with the
Attorney General" the Governor con-
tinued, "and his ONCE and mine are %.
operating fully TO tine end that the guilty
persons be brought to punishment. He
has already sent a deputy TO the scene
and representative OF the Adjutant.
Generals Office has accompanied him.
some weeks ago I issued a warning
TO the SherifYs and peace officers OF the
state that they must prevent violence
against those suspected Of sedition or
treason. fearing this very thing"
Refuses to Mako Arrests.
Chief of Police Tony Staten when
asked to-day " he was not going to ar
rest all Of the men whom he believed to
be implicated in the lynching declared
Continued on Third Pogo.