Article clipped from Decatur Daily Republican

fill OF Ml LYNCH.i.An Armed Body of 100 Hen Oome In from the Country and Do the Job.Ttio Nogro’a Naked Body Left Dangling from tbe Bad of Bops In the Pull Glare of the Electric Light—Doors of the Jail Broken and Pried Open—Guards Over-Powered—Marshal Mason Brutally Kicked—'The Inquest.Banjoul J. Btuh, the negro who was positively identified a* the brats who outraged Mrs. William H. Vest in Mt. Zion township May 80th, was forcibly taken from tbs body of the county jail at 2:J5 o’clock this morning and was executed by hanging, as a quick punishment for his hideous crime. There were no specialty exciting features connected with the eummary lynching. Inside of an hour after the attack on the jail was commenced Bush was strung up, and in 12 minutes he was pronounced dead by Dr, H. D. Hail and Dr. T. B. Spalding, who wen in the crowd and were oalled upon to examine hioo. The raviaher diSd of strangulation.THH OfiOWD,Despite the rain which fell early last evening the crowd of several thousand people, including many women and children, stood near the oonrt house and in front of the jaih The rain oould not drive them away. They expected something to happen and they seemed bent on staying up to see it out. Every few minutes there were rumors afloat to the e fleet that the Mt. Zion people were coming in, sod the ftdsa reports kept the otowd surging to and fro. There was no attempt made to dear the streets or disperse the people. Everybody waslaimply waiting. In the orowd. and at the street corners were farmers from the country who were on the watch and waiting. They kept eloee to the jad, front and rear, but they eaid nothing—they were only waiting. Tan, eleven, twelve and one o’clock struck from the court bouse ^cwer, and still the lynching gang expected from the country dtd not appear. The crowd gradually thinned out. It was believed by those who had grown tired of waiting that there would be no trouble and they went off home. oahu in a sour.At a few minutes before two o’clock a large body of meD an foot, three abreast, numbering about one hundred, came toward the jail from the «aafc on Wood street. They marched steadily and without demonstration straight for the jail. None of them wore masks, and there .were many in the party who were armed with double-Lmrrdwl shotguns, riiles revolvers and oorn-koivf s. Many long oit-oloth coats were worn, ar.d nearly every man had his hat drawn down over hie foiebead. There were also about 20 young men on horseback. Some wereof whom kept up theory: “Bang him.7 fflSCXtl PP.It was probably ten minutes before the negro wan first hoisted in the air. He was lad to the eieetrio fight pole at the corner near Keck A Weigand'a cigar store, at the corner of Opera House block, and then was a wait. Mr. Vest, the husband of the outraged woman, was talking with Bush, who insisted that he was innocent-. Then he was given time to pray,: and Bush prayed and stag in plantation. style. He hoped that ha would the people putting him to death in heaven. Those on the outside wondered at the delay, and they called out, “String him up,” and up he went in a few momenta.The lynehar* had failed to provide themselves with a rope. None coaid be obtained, and halters were taken off huroee and tied together. Bash’s hands were tied behind hi* back. He made no resistance and made no effort to escape. He made no plea for mercy. His eyee rolled from skis to side, and he looked about without hope of rescue. The nooee was formed, and it was adjusted by Homebody near by, and then a party with a broad-brimmed hat climbed up the pole and.threw one end of the rope over a guy wire. Willing hands pulled at the rope, raising Bash about four fact from the ground. Just then one section of the ropa parted, and the negro fell heavily upas the brink pavement, atriking on his side. His head was bruised by the fall. The man was partly strangled, and he presented a sickening sight. “String him up again! was the cry, and another party climbed the pole, taking the end of the rope with him. As the rope was too short, a carriage was driven up to the pole, and two men lifted Bosh on top of the rig. The negro was seemingly trying to climb on top of the carriage himself, when he was given a boost. Another pull at the rope and the carnage moved off, letting Boeh dangle in the air, part of hia naked body twinging above the heads of the people. The knot of the nooee was not under the ear, but at the baok of the head. It was a plain case of slow strangulation, and death resulted within 12 minute*.The crowd appeared to be thoroughly satisfied. They gave cheers for Mt. Zipa md Decatur, and tbeo the lynohere speedily left the eoene,Coroner Bendure got notice that a negro had been hung and shortly before four o’olook the body was out down and removed to Brinthnger’a undertaking rooms where the Inquest wili;he held.Pieces of the rope were quickly appropriated as gceweome souvenirs of the hanging, and to-day Undertaker Brint-linger was handing out ropa chunks at hi a place of business.MASON COOLIi’nTSTOP IT.While the pounding et the jail door was in progress, Marshal Mason, Accompanied by Officers Dempsey and Muth-erapaugh ’made a rush for the jail. They got in throagh the office door, Ma-aon led the way. In the name of the law he commanded the men to stop and disperse. The only answer Mason got was a rush at him by several men who forcibly ejected him. Ho wss puahed down the steps, and as he wee going some fellow kicked him on the stomach, the kick giving him considerable pain and causing illness. The policemen were poshed out with threats of violence. Toe man who kicked Mason should be prosecuted to the extent of the law,BUSH WBOTB A LB1THR.
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Decatur Daily Republican

Decatur, Illinois, US

Sat, Jun 03, 1893

Page 3

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Decatur P.

IL, USA 17 Jul 2023

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