Re: Jack/James? Hiner lynched in IA 1865/9???
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In reply to:
Jack/James? Hiner lynched in IA 1865/9???
Bess Antes 6/11/05
Yes I have information about a Hiner's Hanging it is in my grandfather's book he has a insert from the Wolf's history of Clinton County, Iowa published in 1911 and on pages of 426 & 427 this is what it says
Hiner's hanging
The last Criminal tried before Judge Lynch's tribunal in Clinton County was James Hiner, generally known as "Old Hiner."He had been a somewhat notorious criminal and was constantly engaged in horse-stealing.On the night of June 16, 1865, a horse was stolen from J.G. Smith, of Elk River.Hiner was seen and recognized while riding the horse through Jackson County the morning after the horse was taken.A requisition was made by Governor Stone upon Governor Lewis, of Wisconsin, it having been ascertained that he was in that state.Armed with this authority, Sheriff George A. Griswold and Deputy Robert Hogle effected his arrest at Mt. Hope, Wiscousin.
On the 2nd of October, 1865, they reached De Witt with their prisoner, and placed him in jail to await the examination.On their return, while at Dubuque, he was fully idenfified as the man who brought a mare and two colts there and sold them, they having been stolen from C. Ryan, of Lyons City, where he kept a livery stable.He had where he lived passed under the name of John Stanton, and proffessed to be dealing in government horses.An indictment was also resting against him in Whiteside Co., IL, where he was wanted for crimes committed.
On the night of October 18th, about midnight, Sheriff Griswold was awakened by a knocking at his door, and upon responding to the call with the inquiry, "Who is it?." was answered by the response "Its all right."Thinking it to be a belated constable with a prisoner or city marshall with a culprit, he opened the door to find himself confronted by a dozen or more armed men, who quietly seized him, and entering the room where there was a dimly burning lamp, and while a part of the number took charge of the sheriff, the others took the keys to the cells, saying, "We want that man.", went into the jail, unlocked Hiner's cell and took him quickly and silently out, and placing him in a wagon in waiting outside, drove rapidly away.Before leaving they securely locked everything and left all other prisoners undisturbed.While butone wagon came to the jail, a large number of men with wagons were in waiting outside of the town until joined by their comrades with the prisoner in charge.As soon as Sheriff Griswold could raise an alarm and rally assistance, he stated in pursuit of the Regulators, and made every effort to strike their trail, but without success.The question as yet was an open one as to whether Hiner had been rescued by his friends or taken by his enemies for the purpose of summary execution.The Sheriff, however, upon his return from the northern part of the county, expressed the belief that Hiner had been hung and buried before daylight.Indeed, a citizen remarked to the sheriff, "Old Hiner will never steal another horse.The job was well done."
But in the following April, all doubt as to the fate of Hiner was set at rest by the discovery of his decomposed remains in Silver Creek, about five miles northwest of De Witt, by a little girl who was fishing in the stream.
The verdict of the coroner's jury was, "strangled by persons unknown", and so ended the career of a life-long criminal, who had made it his business to prey upon the property of others until, incensed beyond measure, they, unjustifiably, as must be said, though not inexcusably, executed him.No arrests were ever made, nor effort to discover who were participants in the tragedy.
I have looked on my database for this person and I cant find him.Maybe I didnt put that information in yet from my Grandfather's books.Do u know who he is???
Thanks
Merry
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Re: Jack/James? Hiner lynched in IA 1865/9???
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Re: Jack/James? Hiner lynched in IA 1865/9???
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Re: Jack/James? Hiner lynched in IA 1865/9???
Bess Antes 3/06/06
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Re: Jack/James? Hiner lynched in IA 1865/9???
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Re: Jack/James? Hiner lynched in IA 1865/9???
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Re: Jack/James? Hiner lynched in IA 1865/9???