Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 July 1903 — MOB LYNCHES WHITS MAN [ARTICLE]

MOB LYNCHES WHITS MAN

Kentuckians, foraged at the Oewrta, Taka • Mnrdsrer Areas kail at Flamlngsburg and Haag Hiss. Jtaysville, Ky., July 15.—Enraged •t the courts a mob broke into the Fleqilngsbdrg Jail in the morning and ha. (I William Thacker, a white wun, who had been given a life sentence for the murder of John Gordon tfco years ago. Thacker, in a quarrel with Gordon at Foxport, shot and killed him and then sat on tbe body, Winchester lu hand, while he smoked his pipe, and dared anyone to attempt to arrest him. At the time Thacker escaped, but was later arrested and lodged In Jail at Plemlngsburg. He ■wits given two trials and finally got a life sentence. Gordon was a good citizen and an Inoffensive men. After being sentenced, Thacker appealed to the court of appeals, and was waiting for another trial. Thacker had some money and was able to command the support of some Influential men and it was feared that he might escape punishment altogether. The mob collected at Mt Carmel, where Gordon once lived and came into Flemingsburg by twos and threes In order not to arouse suspicion. They advanced upon the jail shortly after midnight. The jailer refused to surrender the keys. He was overpowered and the keys taken from him. Thacker was btirried to a tree near the jail and was given time in which to say his prayers, which he refused to do, but he begged for his life. To hush his cries he was hit on tbe head with a rock and bis unconscious body strung up until life had become extinct.