Haggard, Cincinnati Times, July 1895

The Glim at Winchester

And Robert Haggard’s Life Went Out With It.

Bob Was a Large-Sized Colored Man

Who Made a Brutal Assault on a White Girl.

He Was Caught and the Rope Put Around His Neck.

The Sheriff’s Posse Arrived Just in Time.

Then He Went To Jail–A Few Dozen Citizens Also Went–Later–and Robert Soon Adorned a Bridge.

SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE ENQUIRER.

WINCHESTER, Ky., July 16. – Robert Haggard, the negro rapist, was lynched this Tuesday morning. The mob moved on the jail at 12:55. The guards were ordered not to fire and fell back. In three minutes, the mob reached the jail and met with little resistance, and in two minutes more had secured the negro with a wild whoop and started south toward the Muddy Creek pike.

Reaching the bridge over the railroad about one fourth of a mile from town the mob halted and asked the prisoner if he had anything to say. He was so dazed with terror he did not seem to understand anything that was said to him, but

CONTINUED TO MOAN

In a piteous manner. Finally the leader roused him up and in a loud voice said: “If you have anything to say, say it quick, for we are going to hang you. Did you commit the crime you are accused of?”

In a weak voice the negro denied his guilt and attempted to pray, but his voice sank again into that piteous distressing moan, and what he said could not be understood.

The leader called for the rope, and after some delay it was brought forward and quickly noosed about the culprit’s neck. Here another delay occurred in getting twine to tie his hands and feet. At last, when this had been secured and all was ready, the loose end of the rope was made fast to the iron railing of the bridge and at 1:15 Haggard was lifted over the railing and dropped into eternity. The drop was about four feet, and there was so misgivings about the strength of the rope Haggard

WAS LET DOWN EASY,

And died of strangulation. As soon as the job was completed the mob quietly dispersed. THe mob, when it approached the city, did not number over 50, but by the time it reached the jail it had been joined by fully twice as many more. Not a single one of the number wore a mask, and there was no attempt on the part of any member to conceal his identity. At the jail the leader demanded the keys. Jailer Robinson said: “Gentlemen, you are strong enough in numbers to overpower me and take the keys away from me, but I will not give them up.”

“Where are the keys?” demanded the leader.

The Jailer at first refused to tell, but when he saw that the mob was preparing to burst in the door he pointed out the kets and told them they would have to find out for themselves how to use them. The main door was soon thrown open, and a rush was made for Haggard’s cell. When his cell was reached Haggard jumped out and 

TRIED TO MAKE HIS ESCAPE,

But her may as well have tried to fly to heaven. The mob was very determined, but poorly organized, and carried out the programme by main strength and awkwardness. Very few citizens had retired when the mob arrived, and hundreds of people witnessed the entire proceedings. Fully 300 people followed the mob to the bridge, and witnessed the execution.

The bridge from which Haggard was handed is a 60-foot span, stretching across the railroad tracks at a height of 30 feet. The trusses and railing are of iron, strongly built, and furnished a capital place for the gruesome job. This is the first lynching Clark County has had since 1879, when a negro named Ben Plunktum was hanged by a mob.

THE CRUEL

(cut off)

day Sunday, keeping the women prisoners to prevent their giving the alarm. Late Sunday afternoon Haggard, believing that it would be safe to do so,

GAVE UP HIS VIGIL,

And went across the river to Madison County. As soon as he was well out of sight Mrs. Richards hastened to the nearest neighbor’s house and told the awful story. The news spread rapidly through the quiet neighborhood, creating the greatest excitement, and in a little while a posse of men, headed by the enraged father of the unfortunate girl, were scouring the country for her assailant.

About 8 o’clock last night they came suddenly upon him as he was trying to make his escape among the river hills. At sight of him Mr. Elkin drew his revolver and fired six shots, all of which, in the darkness and excitement, missed the mark, except one, which clipped the skin on the left shoulder.

The terrified negro attempted to run, but was captured and taken to a tree. A rope was quickly made out of bark stripped from the tree, and 

THE INFURIATED MOB

Was in the act of stringing Haggard up when Marshal A. J. Vice, of Ford arrived with a strong posse and rescued him. He was taken to Ford, where he was kept under guard until 6 o’clock this morning, when he was brought to Winchester by the early train over the K. C.

He was taken before Judge Haggard at 11 o’clock and remanded without bail to await his examining trial, which is set for 10 o’clock Wednesday morning.

The Elkin family is one of the oldest and most highly respected as well as one of the extensive families in the county.

Miss Elkins is in a very critical condition from the shock, and may not survive.

Later details make the crime more horrible  than earlier reports indicated. Entering the kitchen where the girl was churning, Haggard seized her about the waist, carried her to a lounge in another room, and at the point of a pistol compelled her to submit.

Miss Elkin’s undergarment was cut and torn into shreds, and she was so bruised and terrified that it was some time before she could tell what had happened. The mob organized at Ford is expected at any time, and while Sheriff Hodgkin and the United States Marshal are making efforts to strengthen the guard at the jail, some of the officials are advising that the prisoner be removed to a place of safety before the mob arrives.