Morton, The Evening Bulletin, Mon, October 15, 1894

Morton, The Evening Bulletin, Mon, October 15, 1894

Morton, Oscar
Martin, Oscar

Charge, Murder of one white man and one white sheriff

Mob, Hanging

Mob, unknown number

Mob, unmasked

Editorial

A coldblooded Muder Occurs at Lexington

LOUISVILLE, Oct. 15. - A special to the Commercial from Lexington, Ky., says: Another lynching was added to the unusually large fall series of Blue Grass lynching bees Saturday. Saturday at the close of the Beattyville fair, Oscar Morton, a prominent citizen of Stanton, in Powell county, went on the warpath. Only two weeks ago Morton killed his man at Stanton and was out on $5,000 bond to appear next week at the Powell circuit court.
When Morton arrived at the fair he procceded to get drunk and then went to hunt for Sheriff William Simms, who was his deadly enemy, a feud of long standing existing between the two men. Simms and Morton met near the entrance to the fair grounds, and after a few words both of them drew guns, and a quick exchange of shots followed, Morton using two guns. His first shot broke the sheriff's right arm at the elbow, and John Hogg, a friend of Simms, whipped out his gun and joined in the battle. When the smoke had cleared away it was found that Sheriff Simms was dead, being shot through his breast, one in his abdomen and another through his arm. Morton was shot through the neck, while Hogg was unhurt.
Before a crowd could collect, Morton was hustled to the county jail and placed under guard. The people became infiuriated and a big meeting was at once held on the public square. Coloneal John Drummond mounted a barrel and made a speech in which he said that the murderer must be hanged, but that the work must be done quietly and with perfect order; Morton had killed two men in less than two weeks time, and he must die by the rope. A mob was quickly formed and marched to the jail. The jailer was overpowered and the keys to Morton's cell obtained. He was found lying in his shirt sleeves on the floor of his cell and after a bitter struggle was seized and dragged out. He then became very imprudent and told the mob he did not care what they did with him provided they did their work quick.
After a short parley he was taken to a little bridge some distance from town and the rope was placed around his neck. The leaders drew their guns and told him to jump or else he would be riddles with bullets. Turning around the doomed man cursed his captors, and, uttering wild imprecations, leaped into space. The jump broke his neck, and after dangling in the air for some minutes he became still and a volley of shots were fired into him. The mob then dispersed, and the body was left dangling from the bridge. None of the mob made any attempt to conceal their identities, and the hanging was conducted with as much formality as if it had been a legal affair.
The dead sheriff was only recently married and leaves a young wife. The murderer was a wealthy man, who lived in Stanton. He was killed three men. Coming to the fair he attempted to kill the fireman af the train because he would not increased the speed the locomotive was running.
This is the eighth lynching in central Kentucky in the past three months and the people have determined to put down murder if they have to take the law in their own hands every time a man is killed.
Morton's relatives are incensed over the lynching and it may be that some old feuds will be reopened.

Lexxi Colbert

The Evening Bulletin

1894-10-15

Lexxi Colbert

Image

Lexington, Lee County