Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 November 1883 — LYNCH LAW. [ARTICLE]

LYNCH LAW.

Nelling, the Murderer of Ada Atkinson, Hanged by a Mob. The Old Man Dresses for Death and Meets His* Doom Coolly. Jacob Nelling, the murderer of Ada Atkinson at Oxford, Ind., some weeks ago, was taken from the jail at Fowler, Ind., on the morning of Nov. 19, conveyed to Oxford by a masked mob and hanged. It will be remembered that after Nelling confessed to the brutal murder of the innocent girl he narrowly escaped execution at the hands of the Infuriated populace, and was spirited away to Lafayette and confined iff the strong prison of that city, for better security against mob vengeance. It appears that the Tippecanoe oounty authorities got tired of looking after his welfare, and, as the excitement over the tragedy had apparently died out, it was deemed safe to take him back to Fowler for confinement In the Benton county jail, which was accordingly done. Two days after the return of the prisoner the neighbors and friends of the murdered girl proceeded to organize themselves for the work of veageanoe, and did it so quietly and secretly that the officers of the law were kept in supremo ignorance of the movement, and were taken completely by surprise. The mob was perhaps the most orderly one that ever strung up a man. While none of the men are certainly known, their actions showed that they were determined and. resolute men. An eye-wltne6B thus describes the affair: “ A solitary horsernan was seen to come from the east and ride quietly around the Jail. Then he rode rapidly away in the direction whence he came. About an hour afterward about 150 masked men, in wagons and buggies and on horseback, rode quietly up to the jail from the south and posted guards at all the avenues of approach. They then proceeded to divide their forces, a portipn going to the entrance to the Sheriff’s residence adjoining the jail, and a part to the east door of the jail. After demanding the keys tothe jail, they proceeded to batter the outer door with sledges. Then with cold chisels, prepared especially for the purpose, they cut the locks from the doors, and in about an hour gained entrance to Nelling’s cell. The old man had in the meantime got up and dressed himself ready to receive them. They hurried him out to a wagon that stood in waiting, the old man simply remarking that they ought not to bo so rough, that he was older than some of them. Then they departed with their prisoner In the direction of the murder, near which place he was executed. Everything was done in a business-like manner, having very much the air of a funeral. The jail officials made no determined resistance, owing to th© number and character of the mob.” When Nelling was taken from Lafayette to Fowler a few days ago for trial it was given out that he would enter a plea of guilty and accept a sentence of death on condition that his execution be stayed sixty days. This anticipated delay in the course of the law Incited the mob. Nelling killed Ada Atkinson in her room some nine weeks ago. She was almoßt a child, and he had been her father’s laborer for many years. The case excited a great deal of attention, and was for several days m mystery. Another man was arrested on the word of Nelling, but afterward Nelling admitted be lied and said he did It himself. He barely escaped lynching at the time, and, as stated above, was removed to Lafayette to avoid the fury of the mob. He was to have been Indicted and tried in a few days.