Initially, it appeared that there would be no justice for Julia. The citizens and local enforcement of Glen Gardner felt that the law was indeed served. Julia’s father turned her away, so she had no support from her parents. Her uncle, who lived near Hell Mountain, took her in, along with her sister Sarah and Edward Lisk. They were present at the attack but managed to get away. The local Methodist Minister proclaimed his outrage over Julia’s rough treatment, and the national news picked up the story. Shortly after that, the people of Glen Gardner were visited by the County Sheriff, who possessed 11 arrest warrants.
The men were arraigned on 19 November 1891 at the Humphrey Hotel in Glen Gardner. A justice was brought in from a neighboring town since it was determined that the local fellow was not impartial. If the scene described in one news article was true, it took quite a bit of courage for Julia to stand up to her attackers.
During the arraignment, it was noted that many of the attackers wore women’s clothing or covered their faces with rags. During the trial, witnesses were interviewed to help identify who had committed the crime. Initially, eleven men were arrested:
- John Banghart
- Benjamin Banghart – discharged and arrested in error
- Austin Lisk
- Clark Lisk
- George Siegfried
- Austin Brown
- Henry Brown
- Michael Collins
- Edward Shannon
- Harry
Thatcher - Frank
Miller
The trials were held in Flemington, Hunterdon County in December 1891, John Banghart and Austin Lisk were identified as the “ringleaders” so much of the news and court records focus on these two individuals. John Banghart was found guilty, which appeared to be a bit of a shock to all. His face was covered, and Julia could only identify him with his voice. However, he spent a great deal of time trying to gather people to attack Julia and bragging about it afterward, which left plenty of witnesses. One young man, Edward Lisk, who was with Julia and her sister, testified that his father, Austin, was one of the attackers. Not much is stated about the remaining eight vigilantes, but it is likely they quietly pleaded guilty after the ring leaders
The men apparently ended up paying a fine, and jail time was waived. A collection was raised for Austin Lisk, and he was released once his fine was paid. This was as close to justice as Julia was going to receive.
The news attracted the attention of prominent individuals interested in helping Julia. If there were a silver lining, this would be it.
There’s more to the story so stay tuned
Banghart Case File
Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Record Group 293 Miscellaneous Records; Court for the Trial of Small Cases File 19264, The State vs. John T. Banghart, Assault and Battery of Julia Beam, 19 November 1891; Office of Record Management Services, Raritan Township.
Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Record Group 293 Miscellaneous Records; Court for the Trial of Small Cases File 19264, The State vs. John T. Banghart, Assault and Battery of Julia Beam, 19 November 1891; Office of Record Management Services, Raritan Township.
[i]
“For Tarring a
Woman,” The Sun [New York], 20 November
1891, page 1, column 1, digital image; Newspaper.com,
(http:///www.newspaper.com : accessed 21 October 2017).
[ii] “The Julia Beam Outrage,” The Courier News, 31 December 1891, page 2, column 2, digital image; Newspaper.com, (http:///www.newspaper.com : accessed 2 February 2019).
[iii] “A Girl Tarred and Feathered,” The Daily Republican, 8 December 1891, page 4, column 2, digital image; Newspaper.com, (http:///www.newspaper.com : accessed 2 February 2019).
