The story of a lynching that occurred in 1881 was mentioned in the biography of Mr. Joseph Ator, ex Police Chief, on this date 100 years ago. He mentions it casually, as if everyone had the story at their fingertips even 35 years later.
October 1, 1881 Charles Pierce was in the Bloomington jail at Center and Market. He had been arrested for stealing the horse and buggy belonging to W F Crawford (the editor of the Bloomington Leader) when it was outside the Hanna residence on Grove Street that July.
That night Henry "Teddy" Frank was the officer in charge of the prisoners. He was known to be a good hearted officer who was kind to the prisoners. Pierce complained of being sick, and as was the custom, Frank moved Pierce to a cell that was used for sick prisoners. In the evening, when it was time for Pierce to return to his own cell, Frank led him to the cell block. As Frank opened the padlocks of the cell block door, Pierce snatched the pistol from Frank's pocket. Frank called out "Halt!" but Pierce immediately shot him in the shoulder and then once more through the chest.
Chief Ator came running from the jailhouse residence and saw Frank grappling with Pierce. Although he was unarmed, he rushed Pierce and Pierce threw down the gun. Mrs. Ator came into the room as well, to help Frank, but he was dead almost immediately after they entered the jail. Chief Ator locked up Pierce again and returned to Frank, who was then dead. Several doctors appeared, some after hearing the shots. Other men from the town came running after hearing the shots and the news of the murder "spread like wild fire."
Soon there was a mob of men and women outside the jail, screaming for the blood of Pierce and a tiny contingent of men inside the jail trying to keep them out. The mob found something to use as a battering ram and axes and chisels that they used on the walls of the jail. For two hour
s the men inside the jail resisted their efforts. A telegram was sent to the governor, possibly by Senator Fifer, who was there soon after the killing. Fire bells were rung to distract the mob and a fire engine came to spray the mob with water, but was run off with threats of destruction of the hoses.
Once the mob was inside the jail the other prisoners were quick to identify Pierce -- they did not want any confusion over their own identity. A noose was passed over Pierce's head and he was led from the jail. He pleaded for time to pray but was denied this solace. He shook hands with the fire chief, who was possibly the last person to speak to Pierce.
An elm tree across the intersection from the jail was the place where they hung Pierce. The next day a placard appeared on the tree:
Ax man, ax man, spare the Tree and never never tuch (sic) a bough and May god spare this Elim (sic) tree for ever to grow to mark where the first justice to a Murder ever wase (sic) done in McLean Co. and may the good people stand By the Boyes (sic) that done it.