Iowa's Last Lynching: Iowa Time Machine January 9, 1907

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On January 9, 1907, a mob swarmed the Floyd County Jail and extracted vigilante justice on James Cullen. The last recorded case of extrajudicial punishment marked a grim milestone, exposing the fragile nature of law and order even in communities that prided themselves on progress and civility.

The tragedy began at three o'clock in the morning of January 8 when Cullen fatally stabbed his wife, Ellen, as she slept. He then entered his stepson Roy Eastman's bedroom and attempted to cut the boy's throat. A professor boarding in the house separated them during the struggle. Still, when the wounded teenager announced his intention to summon the marshal, Cullen retrieved a revolver and shot Roy fatally.

The following night, several hundred men descended on the jail. Sheriff Schmerhorn had locked Cullen in a stout cell and barred the front doors, yet deputies offered only token resistance as the mob smashed through with their makeshift battering ram. By 11:30 p.m., at least 500 residents, including women and children, gathered at the Main Street Bridge to witness James Cullen’s end.

The case exposed tensions that persist today: frustration with perceived judicial leniency, the seductive appeal of swift punishment, and the danger of letting anger override established legal procedures. Modern Iowa prides itself on the rule of law. Yet, the Cullen case serves as a reminder that civilization remains a choice communities must make repeatedly, even when rage demands otherwise. #Iowa #OTD #History #Murder #TrueCrime