Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1886 — PAID THE PENALTY. [ARTICLE]

PAID THE PENALTY.

The Negro Murderer of Farmer Dobson Lynched at Vincennes, Indiana. [Vincennes (Ind.) special-! Holly Epps, the black-skinnbd and blackhearted wretch who murdered Mr. Dobson, of Greene County, on the night of the 11th of January, paid the penalty of death this morning at the hands of an infuriated mob, who came from Greene County, forty miles distant, to stretch the negro’s neck. It was 1 o’clock when the leader of the mob, which was composed of no more than fifteen nervy men, rapped at the door of Sheriff Seddlemeyer's residence. The moon was shining brightly, and the figures of the men in masks as they took their positions at different corners of the house were a weird scene to behold. In response to the rap the Sheriff came to the door and asked what was wanted. The leader replied: “We want you to open this door, and mean every word we say.” Seddlemeyer said: “Gentlemen, I will not open it.” “Well, then, we will batter it down,” rejoined the leader, in a clear and emphatic tone. “Are you going to open it?” “No,” cried the Sheriff. “Get ready, boys,” commanded the leader. “One, two, three, look out inside,” and with a a heavy sledge-hammer was hurled against the fragile wooden door by a stalwart vigilante, and the mob was in the main corridor leading to the iron door which stood between the fiend and his fate. Hammers and cold chisels were brought into requisition, and just fifteen minutes from the time the mob demanded entrance the last blow was struck, and the ponderous lock of the iron door fell to the floor. It seemed but the work of a few seconds until the murderer’s cell was vacated and the rope placed about his neck. He was then led out of the jail by the mob, and for the first time since his incarceration walked unaided. The vigilantes led him over the icy ground, about fifty yards from the jail, and, after passing from the court-yard, led him under a maplfe tree, with a limb designed for a rope. It seemed that Epps was spiritless during the whole time. The mob asked him no questionn, and the vile wretch did not attempt to open his mouth. He was perfectly resigned to his fate. The rope was thrown over the limb of the tree, and the murderer’s carcass was hauled up. Scarcely a word escaped the lips of any member of the mob. The stillness was disturbed only by the gurgling sound in the negro’s throat—the deathrattle —which grew fainter and fainter as the rope tightened around his neck. In twelve minutes from the time his feet left the ground he was a dead man. The mob was quiet and orderly, but a more determined set of men never undertook to storm a jail. A great many citizens, who got wind of the contemplated attack, were on the scene as spectators, but there was no attempt to molest the mob either by citizens or officials. - The plan to take Epps back to Greene County had already been arranged. -Prosecuting Attorney Axtell, of Greene County, arrived here Sunday noon to arrange for the preliminary trifll. A secret conference was held in the parlors oF Sheriff Seddlemeyer’s residence, and not a living soul except the officers knew of the programme that was there mapped out. A correspondent, however, learned of it. The programme arranged was as follows: Sheriff Seddlemeyer anjJ Prosecuting Attorney"Axtell, together with two deputy sheriffs, were to take the murderer out of jail this morning at 5, o’clock and escort him direct to the north-bound passenger train on the Indianapolis and Vincennes Railroad.