ANOTHER MAN HUNG -William Thomas- 1857

THOMAS, CASTELL, STONE

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 9/25/2019 at 17:32:10

St Charles Republican Intelligencer, Thursday, Aug 6, 1857, Saint Charles, IA, Page: 1

ANOTHER MAN HUNG – It will be remembered that a Mr. and Mrs. Castell were murdered near Montezuma, in Poweshiek County, last fall, and their bodies were found hidden in a corn field. A man named William Thomas was suspected of being the murderer, and was brought to Montezuma and confined in jail for a trial. The trial was set down for last Tuesday week; and on coming into Court the prisoner applied for a change of venue, which Judge Stone granted. The application was made on the grounds of public prejudice against the prisoner.

No sooner was the decision of the Court granting a change of venue, known by the crowd, that about 200 persons assembled around the Sherriff, took forcible possession pf the prisoner, led him beyond the limits of the town, and hung him, without even the ceremony of a Judge Lynch trial by jury.