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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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THE LUDINGTON RECORD, Ludington, Michigan
Thursday, October 6, 1881
VOL. XV.  OLD SERIES, NO. 55
VOL. II  NEW SERIES, NO. 20

                   MURDER AND LYNCH LAW
                       Menominee, Mich., Sept 28.
                       
        FRANK and JOHN MCDONALD, two ex-convicts who have
      just completed and eighteen-months' term in the State
      prison, and have been out only two weeks, while at a
      disreputable house on the outskirts of this village,
      day before yesterday, got into a row with WILLIE KITTSON,
      a half-breed, about 23 years old.  NORMAN KITTSON and
      one TOMMY DUNN went to the relief of WILLIE, and took
      him from the house and started for home.  The MCDONALDS
      followed them and attacked them again on the street.
      WILLIE was knocked down and then stabbed several times.
      NORMAN received several severe knife wounds in the face
      and side.  WILLIE died within a few moments after receiving
      his wounds, and NORMAN can not live.  The MCDONALDS were
      promptly arrested by Sheriff BERCLAY and lodged in the
      county jail, where they remained until last evening.
      Great excitement prevailed from the time of the murder,
      and extra guards were placed over the jail.  About 10
      o'clock last night a mob of over 500 people composed
      mostly of Frenchmen, Indians and half-breeds, approached
      the jail, overpowered the Sheriff and guard, and with
      heavy timbers, sledge-hammers and axes broke open the
      door at the jail and of the cell where the MCDONALDS
      were lodged.  The prisoners were pulled out of the jail
      and long ropes fastened about their necks, and they were
      then dragged by the mob mercilessly through the street
      for three-quarters of a mile to the house where the
      row originated, where their bodies were suspended to
      a tree.  The victims were dead, however, long before
      their bodies were hung up.  The house above mentioned
      was then set on fire and burned to the ground.  The
      two bodies were left suspended to the tree until this
      morning, when they were taken down by the authorities.
      When the jail was attacked a large number of citizens
      repsonded promptly to the call of the Sheriff for help,
      but the mob had obtained entrance to the jail, and
      resistance was then impossible.
      
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