Swift Vengeance in Athens County Lynch Mob Turmoil
A mob roars through Ross County territory after the murder and alleged assault of 15 year old Ethel Long at her Austin farm. Richard Gardner, accused killer, narrowly escapes lynching aided by Sheriff Porter’s ruse as leaders are arrested later in Columbus. The tragedy sparks a countywide manhunt and calls for swift justice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Athens County
Richard Gardner
Ethel Long
Austin
Hess County
Jang
Noss
Sherif Porter
Gardher
Partee
Gardner
Gardner suspected in murder of Ethel Long near Austin
A Black man named Richard Gardner was identified as a suspect in the Ethel Long murder near Austin after a rapid pursuit by train engineers. Citizens mobbed elsewhere. officials prevented lynching, transferring Gardner by train to Chillicothe and then Athens for custody amid heightened fear and widespread crowd pressure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Long Home
Ethel Long
Bexon
Gardner
Chillicothe
Swepston
Hoss County
Tab
B&o
Divine
Kuss County
Chillicathe
Weyine
Athens
Marietta
Athena
Gardner Identified by Miss Betts at Athens Interlude
Miss Elizabeth Betts journeyed from Cincinnati to Athens with Detective Bulmer to identify Gardner, the man accused of assaulting her and linked to the Austin murder. A crowded depot and hotel scene preceded a tense face‑to‑face confrontation where Betts briefly swore she recognized him before wavering, Gardner asserting she would say so whether she saw him or not.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Morwily
Wathway
Gardner
Chillicothe
Athens
Cincinnat
Elizabeth Betts
Miss Betts
Cincinnati
Long
Austin
Oficers
Porter
Bulmer
Derine
O. C. Porter
Mayor Rose
Sheriff Porter
Busy Bee
Mitted
Svardner
Marshal Finsterwald
Devine
City Ballies
Beng
Cincynnat
Dodat
Mob Attacked Athens Jail to Save Gardner From Lynch mob
Sheriff Porter and deputies thwarted a midnight mob intent on hanging Richard Gardner. A carriage ruse misled attackers while Gardner remained guarded inside the courthouse dome. Three citizens and the mayor drove away, returning hours later as deputies kept watch. The mob was dispersed without Further violence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Athens
Daleton
Marshfield
Mineral
Chauncey
Union Street
Weatend
Gardner
South Bridge
Jnert Gardner
Warren
Pete Tery Feckomer
Sheriff Porter
George Earhart
Charles Bethel
E T. Rose
Sugar Creek
Nan
Court House
Temple of Justice
Black Bird
Also Mentioned on This Page
Little Ethel Long
Columbus
Ethel
Trent
Warmih
Miestert
Sayinas
Ross County
Whip
Spur
Lacy
Crougie
Chillicome
Venghance
Bherit
Main
Met
Stats Street
Garbner
J.M. Wood
Jay
Sayre
Sheri
Curtise
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!