Thacker, The Lexington Herald, July 16, 1903.
Dublin Core
Title
Thacker, The Lexington Herald, July 16, 1903.
Subject
Thacker, William
Charge, murder
Mob, hanging
Mob, 20 members
Description
Mob
Hanged White Prisoner.
William Thacker Dragged From Jail At Flemingsburg And Strung Up.
Had Twice Been Given a Life Sentence For Murder of John Gordon and Was Awaiting Third Trial.
FLEMINGSBURG, Ky., July 15. — William Thacker, a white prisoner, was taken from jail here shortly before 1 o’clock this morning by a mob and hanged to a tree on the edge of town, about three hundred yards from the jail and court house.
It was the second attempt made to get Thacker within two weeks, and was not unexpected by many citizens here, though no action had been taken to prevent the lynching.
Citizens in the vicinity say there were about 20 men in the mob, which came from the direction of Foxport, where the crime of which Thacker was charged took place.
Mob Puts Out Pickets.
The mob on arriving to the jail immediately put out pickets to prevent anyone from coming near. Several men then approached the door of the jail residence and knocked. Jailer Morris had a lamp lighted in his room, as, he says, he was expecting several parties to come after their horses and buggies, which were put up at his livery stable adjoining the jail. He opened the door and was immediately grabbed.
While some held him others went into the room and secured the jail keys, which were lying on a stand. The cell keys were also soon found in his pants pockets.
The mob then went into the jail and secured Thacker without further opposition. The prisoner pleaded with the mob, but in vain. He was dragged from the building, while his cries could be heard all over the neighborhood, many people being awakened by them
Struck With a Stone.
His cries attracted so much attention that finally some of the mob struck him in the face with a stone, rendering him partially unconscious. He was then carried and dragged to the place of execution, after which the mob quietly left town.
The body was cut down an hour or so afterward and brought to the jail, where it was prepared for burial. The face was disfigured considerably by bruises, but otherwise the features were natural.
Two weeks ago last night the first attempt was made to get Thacker. Several men called Jailer Morris to the door and grabbed him, but were driven away. It was at the time supposed by some that it was an attempt by Thacker’s friends to release him from jail, but the prisoner at the time contended that it was an attempt of his enemies to do him harm, though no precaution was taken to give him further protection.
Thacker was fifty-seven years of age and was twice given life imprisonment for the killing of John Gordon, a young man at Foxport, three years ago. Thacker was recently granted a new trial by the Court of Appeals and was in jail here awaiting a third trial, having been brought from the penitentiary at Frankfort, where he had already begun serving his sentence pending the action of the higher court.
Thacker was under the influence of liquor at the time of the killing and was in a quarrelsome mood. After some words with young Gordon a fight between Thacker’s boy, who was present, and Gordon ensued and Thacker shot Gordon, killing him instantly. Thacker claimed self-defense, but feeling has always been strong against him in the community where the crime occurred.
Everything is very quiet. Very little sympathy is expressed for Thacker, though the laxity of the authorities in failing to afford the prisoner proper protection is deeply regretted by many. The mob was made up of about twenty persons and could have been dispersed, it is believed, with a little resistance.
Thacker had some money and was able to command the support of some influential men, and it was feared that he might escape punishment all together.
It was the second attempt made to get Thacker within two weeks, and was not unexpected by many citizens here, though no action had been taken to prevent the lynching.
Citizens in the vicinity say there were about 20 men in the mob, which came from the direction of Foxport, where the crime of which Thacker was charged took place.
Mob Puts Out Pickets.
The mob on arriving to the jail immediately put out pickets to prevent anyone from coming near. Several men then approached the door of the jail residence and knocked. Jailer Morris had a lamp lighted in his room, as, he says, he was expecting several parties to come after their horses and buggies, which were put up at his livery stable adjoining the jail. He opened the door and was immediately grabbed.
While some held him others went into the room and secured the jail keys, which were lying on a stand. The cell keys were also soon found in his pants pockets.
The mob then went into the jail and secured Thacker without further opposition. The prisoner pleaded with the mob, but in vain. He was dragged from the building, while his cries could be heard all over the neighborhood, many people being awakened by them
Struck With a Stone.
His cries attracted so much attention that finally some of the mob struck him in the face with a stone, rendering him partially unconscious. He was then carried and dragged to the place of execution, after which the mob quietly left town.
The body was cut down an hour or so afterward and brought to the jail, where it was prepared for burial. The face was disfigured considerably by bruises, but otherwise the features were natural.
Two weeks ago last night the first attempt was made to get Thacker. Several men called Jailer Morris to the door and grabbed him, but were driven away. It was at the time supposed by some that it was an attempt by Thacker’s friends to release him from jail, but the prisoner at the time contended that it was an attempt of his enemies to do him harm, though no precaution was taken to give him further protection.
Thacker was fifty-seven years of age and was twice given life imprisonment for the killing of John Gordon, a young man at Foxport, three years ago. Thacker was recently granted a new trial by the Court of Appeals and was in jail here awaiting a third trial, having been brought from the penitentiary at Frankfort, where he had already begun serving his sentence pending the action of the higher court.
Thacker was under the influence of liquor at the time of the killing and was in a quarrelsome mood. After some words with young Gordon a fight between Thacker’s boy, who was present, and Gordon ensued and Thacker shot Gordon, killing him instantly. Thacker claimed self-defense, but feeling has always been strong against him in the community where the crime occurred.
Everything is very quiet. Very little sympathy is expressed for Thacker, though the laxity of the authorities in failing to afford the prisoner proper protection is deeply regretted by many. The mob was made up of about twenty persons and could have been dispersed, it is believed, with a little resistance.
Thacker had some money and was able to command the support of some influential men, and it was feared that he might escape punishment all together.
Source
Newspapers.com
Publisher
The Lexington Herald
Date
1903-07-16
Contributor
Katie Craig
Format
Image.
Coverage
Fleming County
Files
Collection
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Citation
“Thacker, The Lexington Herald, July 16, 1903.,” DRVK News Articles , accessed July 26, 2026, https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/items/show/182.