James was married on August 24, 1879 to Clarinda "Clara" Drake, daughter of Reuben and Matilda (Sanders) Drake. Of this marriage there were six children born- Laura, Denver, Epsy Mary, Olive, Francis Melvin and Leonard. On May 24, 1888, Clara was pregnant with their third child and her parents were taking care of the older two children, Laura and Denver. On the evening of that day, Andrew Grandstaff attempted to rob Reuben Drake, because he had heard there was money at the home. He asked for money and when he was told there was none, he shot Mr Drake. Mrs Drake was with her grandchildren and when she heard the gunshot she got a rifle to defend herself, Grandstaff then shot her. He ended up killing everyone in the house and stealing a Winchester rifle. He hid in the woods, but was finally arrested on May 30, 1888 and after 24 hours of questioning he confessed. He was taken to Viroqua, but never saw a courtroom. An angry mob took him from the jail and he was hung on the courthouse lawn the night of June 1, 1888 in Viroqua, Vernon Co., Wisconsin. There were no arrests for the hanging.
Clara had given birth to a daughter on May 28th. They had 2 more children born in Vernon County and then the family moved to West Salem in LaCrosse County.
Clara had given birth to a daughter on May 28th. They had 2 more children born in Vernon County and then the family moved to West Salem in LaCrosse County.
James was married on August 24, 1879 to Clarinda "Clara" Drake, daughter of Reuben and Matilda (Sanders) Drake. Of this marriage there were six children born- Laura, Denver, Epsy Mary, Olive, Francis Melvin and Leonard. On May 24, 1888, Clara was pregnant with their third child and her parents were taking care of the older two children, Laura and Denver. On the evening of that day, Andrew Grandstaff attempted to rob Reuben Drake, because he had heard there was money at the home. He asked for money and when he was told there was none, he shot Mr Drake. Mrs Drake was with her grandchildren and when she heard the gunshot she got a rifle to defend herself, Grandstaff then shot her. He ended up killing everyone in the house and stealing a Winchester rifle. He hid in the woods, but was finally arrested on May 30, 1888 and after 24 hours of questioning he confessed. He was taken to Viroqua, but never saw a courtroom. An angry mob took him from the jail and he was hung on the courthouse lawn the night of June 1, 1888 in Viroqua, Vernon Co., Wisconsin. There were no arrests for the hanging.
Clara had given birth to a daughter on May 28th. They had 2 more children born in Vernon County and then the family moved to West Salem in LaCrosse County.
Clara had given birth to a daughter on May 28th. They had 2 more children born in Vernon County and then the family moved to West Salem in LaCrosse County.
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