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

LYNCHED.

NELLI NG HUNd BY A MOB Sunday nteht last Netting was taken from the jail at Fowler, by a mob, and hung The following is from l he Lafayette Journal of Monday: The murder ot Ada Atkinson isavenged, and this morning the sun ro j e on the horrible spectacle of Jacob Netting dangling in *he air A mob of determined, orderly men, composed of 15ft of the leading farmers of Benton Uounty, took the law irto their own hands and the wretch was made to see that his punish' went was a just retribution to the law of a\ife for a life About 9 o’clock lbO masked horsemen rode from Oxford to mard Fowler There was no loud dem onstrations or threats in the ten mile ride; silently they advanced toward the Fowler Jail ||The horsemen stopped in a body near the stock yard, while a skirmisher was sent into town to see that everything was secure for their approach The sight of one man on horseback slowly riding Into town at KP3O o’clock from the southeast was not calculated to alarm any belated citizens who might appear on the and the horseman proceeded without a suspicion of his errand to the Court House, and after riding around the building he turned back and rode away rapidly in the direction lrurn whence he came About forty minutes afterward the mob of 150 men, masked beyond recognition, rode in a body into the town, and dismounting, hitched their horses to the posts along the street Guards were posted at every approach to the Jail to warn away the citizens in the event of a resistance, add work was com meucad in a deliberate and systematic manner to force open the Jail Sheriff Scanlon was not prepared for the mob, and was taken wiolly unaware, allho’, as was liis custom, took precautions to doubly secure Netting in his stronghold The inob gathered at the east door of the Jail and attacked it with crowbars and sledge hammers Naught save the loud resounding blows cr the echoing shouts could be heard on the night air As the work proceeded aud the great iron doors began to give under the heavy blows, the crowd became somewhat excited, aud as the first barrier was removed an exultant yell arose that thrilled the spectators who had gathered by this time with terror The next operation was to force the bars that were inside the outside door This task was easily accomplished by their united efforts, and twenty resolute men stood inside the Jail Across the cell corridors is a partition of heavy iron bars, the door of which was locked with large padlocks, wlrch were smashed with sledges, ana the mob st >od in front of the murderer’s celt Netting faced his avengers, already dressed to meet them His doom 'rad come, and he knew that only it few moiiuuis stoo l between bi n and eternity Considerable skill was re quired to open the cell uo -r, as it was v.l' three-inch iron, doubly locked, and fastened at the top w ith a Ibur-iuch bar of iron running the entire length of the cor rider Within half an houi the heavy door swung open, a dash was made by the infuriated men. and NelliDg was dragged out a trembling captive Tho’ cool, he was tin very picture of that death he was soon to meet His eyes weie starting from their sockets, his teeth chattered, and the expression of his face was that of abject teiror and despair He was forced to the east door, where his presence was greeted with cheers from the crowd outside ab he was being hustled down the steps he said, ‘Go a little slow, gentlemen; I am older than some of you ’ His words were unheeded, however, and be was placed in a carriage ‘containing the rope to hang him, aud driven rapidly toward Oxford The mob immediately followed on their“horses, and excitement rati high By this time the citizens of Fowler had been thoroughly aroused, aud several of them hastily procured vehicles and joined in the ride ot death Having arrived at Oxford, Netting was taken from the carriage and the rope has tily adjusted around his neck News of the approacning crowd had reached the town, and excitement for a time ran not among the populace The hanging crowd was largely augmented by hundreds of citizens eager lor revenge Near the residence of Cephas Atkinson, and where Netting could view the house in which he committed his crime, stands an old tree iu plain sight ot the road, so that passers by might easily read the sign -‘a foul murdei has been avenged to-night,’ and to this spot the doomed man wai marched in terror (t was 1 o,clock when ihej'mob reached the iarm of Cephas Atkinson, and no time was lost in expediting the hanging As the old man stood under the cross beam, bare-headed, the crowd looked on in silence The moon shone brightly on his pale, haggard features He seemed to have a desire to asa for mercy, but lacks ed the strength to speak In vain he cast an anxious eye about for a pitying face NJt one in all that assemblage oi resolute men wavered; the stern resolve to avenge the death of tneir neighbor’s daughter was'depicted on every countenance At (en minutes before 2 o’clock this morniug. one of the executioners stepped up and said; ‘Netting you must die! Have yo~ any j further confession h> mas*- <>r anything ; to soy r ‘No, milking aioi'c than I have aueady said, but I want >«,u t > make a half way decent job of this, and cut off my wind as quick as you can ’ A moment was given the doomed man to4make his peace with God, whose law he had so fully outraged, and then he was pulled high in air, a dangling wretch in the agonies of death He made two convulsive struggles and then became unconscious, being choked to death Satisfied with their night’s work, the crowd dispersed to their home', and j 1 ° dt *y the citizens of Bcnlonhave anotlj- . er p;ige oi blootf to ehroricJe ic her his lory