Hangman's Tree c. 1990

News Flashbacks

Ku-Klux at Work

The Residence of John Minkler is Entered by Masked Men and a Tenant Driven from the Home

Fort Collins Express October 21, 1881, Page 1

Hangman's Tree c. 1990

A man by the name of John Downey, who has been for several months at work on John Minkler's place, two miles above Laporte, came into town this afternoon and reports that at eleven o'clock last night four masked men entered the house by force and, after arousing Mr. Downey and his wife, told them that they would give them fifteen minutes to leave the place, or they would hang Downey to a tree. The men had handkerchiefs over their faces with eye-holes cut in them. They then commenced removing Downey's goods and carrying them to some distance from the house. Downey and his wife went to their goods and remained there the rest of the night; but were given no more trouble from the men. This is Downey's story and in absence of other information we give it for what it is worth.

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