South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-09-03
Old Hatreds Cause Many
Deaths in Indiana F ued;
Date Back to Year 1882

SHOALS Ind. Sept 2.-Another
life has been forfeited, and the sixth
member of the Archer family, or
southern Martin county, has "died
with his boots on" as a result of a
family feud that has ragged there for
several years. it was revealed here
following the fatal shooting. from
ambush, Of Clyde Archer, 10. re-
Gently.
For years Hoosiers have been
wont to look with pity. if not dis
dain, on the family feuds which
have wiped out" hundreds OF
members of warning families OF the
Bluegrass state. But apparently in
Indiana's backyard a family feud
has been raging for years between
the Archer and Stanfield families
which has resulted in several deaths
Clyde Archer met HIS death Tues
day. Aug. Is. About a year previ-
Gus young Archer had killed his
man at French Lick, Ind, when he
stabbed Roy Stanf1eld, a neighbor,
who accused Archer Of stealing
some money. He was acquitted in
court on plea Of self-defense.
Row Is OF Old Standing.
The two families had harbored III
feelings against each other for many
years following the killing Of Anna
bel Stanfeld by Charles Archer. an
uncle OF Clyde. The elder Archer
was acquitted OF this crime, and a
few years later a brother OF CLYDE
was freed OF murder charge.
Back in 1882 Martin Archer was
killed by a man named Marley. who
was afraid Archer might tell Of a
larceny job IN which the murderer
his victim and John b Bunch were
implicated This killing aroused the
ire Of the Archer family. the mem
bers Of which swore vengeance.
The Archers, accompanied BY
John Lynch. went In search OF Mar
ley and, being unable 10 find him
discovered Bunch. When Bunch
declined 90 reveal the hiding place
Of Marley the Arche-s bound him,
took him TO Saltpeter Cave. in
Orange county. Ind. a lonely spot
near the home of Tom Archer.
Here they again demanded OF
Bunch that he tell where Marley
was hiding. As Bunch repeated his
statement that he ala not know the
whereabouts OF Marley the Archers
shot him to death and left his body
in the cave several days.
Later they removed the corpse
placed II upon a pile Of brush
which had been saturated with coal
oil, and burned II. Then a tree was
felled and placed over the ashes &c
prevent discovery OF the crime.
Confesses 10 Crime.
Four years later Lynch. con
characterization. confessed 20 the
crime Following the confession
Thomas Archer, SIS, and Martin
Archer. so. brothers. were arrested
Then John Archer. 30. was taken
into custody In connection with the
grewsome murder.
All three were placed in Jail al
Shoals. sam Archer. father OF John
and another member OF the murder
band, was Sill a. large.
At midnight. March 9. 1855. q
band OF armed. masked men visited
the Shoals jail, removed the three
Archers and hanged them 70 tree.
in the courthouse yard. Theil
bodies were permitted 20 hang there
until Il o'clock the next morning.
A short time later Sam Archer
was apprehended. tried. convicted
and sentenced 20 be hanged The
execution took place July. q 1886. II
the presence OF what was termed q
Circus day" crowd assembled abou'
the scaffold.
All that saved Lynch from beins
a victim OF the xecutions OF the moi