Cincinnati (OH) Commercial Tribune, November 1, 1879, p. 2.
DEMAND FOR A MURDERER'S BLOOD AT SALEM, INDIANA
[Special to the Cincinnati Commercial]
New Albany, Indiana, October 31-Sheriff Fultz of Washington County, who came
here from Salem last night with the murderer Thomas Joseph who killed
William Gallahan (difficult to read) in that county in September, received a
dispatch from Judge Collins at Salem this morning that it would not be safe
to return to that town with the prisoner unless he had a company of troops
to protect him from the mob. Sheriff Fultz immediately telegraphed Gov.
Williams for troops, and at six o'clock this evening, the Indianapolis Light
Infantry, Capt. Nick Ruckel, arrived 50 strong, armed with Springfield
rifles, and immediately proceeded with the sheriff, his posse, and the
prisoner on a special train to Salem where they are expected to arrive at 10
PM.
Word is received that up to five o'clock this afternoon, the jury has not
agreed as to the penalty, being divided between hanging and imprisonment for
life. This report, however, is not altogether reliable and was sent out by
the vigilantes who will be satisfied with nothing but the death penalty. If
the jury are agreed, the verdict will be rendered tonight, and the prisoner,
whatever the verdict, will be returned to the jail in this city for
safekeeping until the sentence of the law is carried out. The excitement at
Salem continues unabated, many of the mob being additionally excited from
liquor.