McKensie Lynched

MCKENSIE, RIGGS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/9/2010 at 20:44:42

Bellevue Herald, Bellevue, Iowa, April 12, 1887

McKensie Lynched

J. H. McKensie, the man who murdered J. J. Riggs, formerly of Riggs Station, mention of which has been previously made in these columns, was taken from the jail at Corning, Iowa, by a mob and lynched on the night of April 3rd. He was firm to the last. Even after the rope was thrown about his neck, his intense nerve and grit did not forsake him. He talked with the mob as they took him down stairs and across the street to a maple tree, asked them to give his watch to his wife, protested he had killed no other man than Riggs and did not intend to kill him. Before disbanding the leader addressed the mob in a low voice, saying:
Gentleman: The work of this night must remain forever a secret. Let every participant and every observer take warning from the man hanging to this tree. The fate of any man who divulges the name of any participant will be his fate.

John Riggs Grave
 

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