LYNCH LAW IN MISSOURI. The Murderer of Five Persons Haned by a Mob.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 180, 27 November 1886, Page 4

LYNCH LAW IN MISSOURI. The Murderer of Five Persons Haned by a Mob.

11. P. Wallace, murderer of the Logan tamily of five persona-father, mother, and three childre *— was taken from the gaol at Steelville by a mob ; and lynched. The guilty man had boen taken to Steelville from Cuba, Mo., where the horrible crime had been perpetrated, for sate keeping for fear he would be summarily dealt with by the enraged citizens of Cuba Friday morning, October l*t, a mob gained entrance to tho gaol, seized Wallace, dragged him fiom the cell and strung him up He wa^ cut down after being allowed to hang for a short time in order that a confession might be forced from him. He 'refused to acknowledge the crime, and before the ciowd could hang him up again the Sheriff gained possession ot him and hurried him back to his cell. The crowd was prevailed upon to disperse, and it was supposed that tho law would be allowed to take its own course. On the night of the sfch, however, a second and more successful attempt was made to hang the murderer. A mob of about 100 men quietly gathered around the gaol at midnight and demanded entrance of the gaoW. This was refused and the mob bat. tuced down the doors, A delegation from their number was sent to bring out tho prisoner, while others were detailed to guard the roads leading to the scene. Wallace was wakened from his slaep. dragged out to the infuriated mob and was risked if *he had anything to say. He responded by strongly protestinghia innocence, still adhering to the story that it was the negro Vaughn who was guilty. This an* goxed the mob more than 'ever, and -with a shout they produced a rope, one end of which they placed round the murderer's neck and the other end was thrown over the limb of ajjtree near the gaol. The prisoner still protected bis innocence and ap. pealed for mercy, but without avail Strong bands, gra«pod the rope and Wallace's bedy swung in tho air. Another chance was nor.given^him to confess, and in a few minutes his body was a corpse. The mob then dispersed and the gaol officers cut down and took possession of the body.