Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1898 — SLAIN BY A MOB. [ARTICLE]

SLAIN BY A MOB.

lowane’ Attempt to Tar and Feather Ends in Murder. White caps have been at wqrk in Lee County, lowa, and as a result one man is dead and a warlike spirit has been aroused in the neighborhood that threatens further trouble. Abe Balm and his two brothers are well-to-do farmers, living near West Point. Not far away lived their father in the most abject poverty, and it was declared his sons refused to help him. When the old man died a few days ago it was claimed he had starved to death, and the alleged cruel treatment of the sons was generally denounced. After the father was dead the sons re-fused-to pay the expenses of his burial or even to see the body. This so enraged the neighboring farmers that they decided to rid their neighborhood of the "brothers. They determined to tar and feather them, and Tuesday night a mob of about thirty marched to the home of the Balm brothers and called for Abe, the oldest. Abe stepped to the door, and, seeing the crowd outside, retreated into the house before the mob could lay hands on him. He called to his brothers, and all three opened fire on the visitors from the open door of the house, inside of which were Abe's wife and children. The mob returned the fire, and after the smoke had cleared away it was found that. Abe hud l>een mortally wounded. The farmers retreated in the darkness. They were all masked, but Abe gave his brothers the names of seven neighbors, whom he declared he recognized in the mob. The brothers swore out warrants against the seven neighbors, charging them with murder. The entire neighborhood is up in arms.