Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1904 — BANDITS KILL TOWN MAYOR. [ARTICLE]

BANDITS KILL TOWN MAYOR.

Official of Thomson, 111., Falls Before Criminal’s Fire, Two desperadoes, believed to have come from Chicago, invaded the town of Thomson, 111., Saturday morning, murdered Wayland F. Bennett, the mayor, and were pursued and captured by a band of armed and infuriated citizens. One of the bandits was twice shot, once in the side and again in the hand. Both were taken to the jail in Mount Carroll under heavy guard. The murder of Mayor Bennett came without warning. For some time small towns in the county had been reporting robberies and the authorities had been asked to look out for suspicious characters. About 10 o’clock Mayor Bennett and Editor N. D. Millard noticed two strangers of rough appearance on the streets, and sent for Marshal Charles M. Beck. When Marshal Beck arrived one of the bandits had entered a butcher-shop and the other a. saloon. Beck went into the butcher-shop. At the corner stood Meyers. Beck walked up to him, placed his hand on his arm and told him he was under arrest. Meyers made no resistance. The two walked from the shop to the street, where Mayor Bennett was standing. The marshal turned the prisoner over to the mayor and started for the saloon to arrest the other man. Bennett, grasping the prisoner by the arm, started for the flimsy building which bears the name of "lock-up.” They had gone but a few paces when Meyers wrenched himself free, whipped a revolver from his pocket, and, turning the weapon on his guard, fired. At the first shot the mayor reeled and fell, but the bandit intended to make sure of his work, and, standing over the fallen man, deliberately emptied the other chambers of the weapon. Five bullets took effect in mouth, heart, chin, stomach and leg, and death was instantaneous. The bandit then fled, but after a desperate chase both ho and his companion were captured. The men gave their names as John Johnson and "Billy” Meyers. It is believed certain that the men committed the many robberies in the towns in the vicinity, and there are evidences that one or two other thieves accompanied them in their rigd on this.community. Stores, shops, saloons and houses have been entered and property and money to a considerable amount have been taken. Mr. Bennett, who was a retired farmer, was in reality president of the village board, but through long usage he had received the honorary title of mayor. He was known to almost every man and woman in the county and was highly respected. He was a' man of means and devoted much time to village affairs.