Hill, Mt. Sterling Advocate, December 23, 1908

Elmer Hill Taken from Monticello Jail and Hanged.

Monticello, Ky., Dec. 17. – Elmer Hill, the youth charged with assaulting and murdering little Mamie Womack, in Russell county, was taken from the Wayne county jail here last night and hanged by a mob.

Sheriff Wright and Jailer Ramsey were completely taken off their guard and he was secured.

TWENTY-SIX IN THE MOB.

It was about midnight when 26 men appeared in town, and at the jail found Sheriff Wright on guard. He was soon looking into the barrel of a Winchester rifle. They quickly found Hill, and were on their way to Greasy Creek, about five miles from Jamestown, and hanged him without delay.

THE CRIME.

Mamie Womack, a thirteen-year-old girl, living not far from Russell Springs, failed to return home from school at the usual time  one day last week, and her parents, becoming alarmed, aroused the neighbors. The child’s mutilated body was found in the woods near her home. She had been assaulted and murdered. There was no clew to the slayer. At the funeral some one remarked in the presence of Hill, that bloodhounds were on the way and that the murderer would soon be captured. Hill turned pale and hurriedly left the church.

RUN DOWN BY BLOODHOUNDS.

Since that time until his arrest he was not seen, and it required a long chase by the dogs to capture him. Finally, after riding ninety miles, the officers caught him. He was taken to Jamestown, and a mob was formed. To prevent violence the jailer brought him to this place.

On the first night here a mob attempted to get him, but were unable to cross the river.

It is supposed the members of the mob were Russel county citizens, but their identity is unknown.