A Lynch Mob Foiled (Monologue)

by Donald E. Baker

MONOLOGUE: 5-6 minutes. A besieged jail. A frightened Black prisoner. An angry White mob. A sheriff determined to uphold the rule of law. A daring escape in the dead of night. Julius August “Gus” Lemcke (pronounced “LEM-key”) was sheriff of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, in 1880 when a clash between overheated political partisans resulted in a Black Republican and a White Democrat shooting each other. The White...

MONOLOGUE: 5-6 minutes. A besieged jail. A frightened Black prisoner. An angry White mob. A sheriff determined to uphold the rule of law. A daring escape in the dead of night. Julius August “Gus” Lemcke (pronounced “LEM-key”) was sheriff of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, in 1880 when a clash between overheated political partisans resulted in a Black Republican and a White Democrat shooting each other. The White man was cared for by his friends. The Black man ended up in the county jail, surrounded by armed and angry citizens determined to lynch him from the nearest tree. This monologue is adapted from Lemcke’s own account of this episode in his 1905 published memoir.

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A Lynch Mob Foiled (Monologue)

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  • Ken Love: A Lynch Mob Foiled (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    “

    A tale of racism and social injustice told in the manner of an allegory or fable. We get just enough information on the characters to keep us intrigued - long after the story has been told. Nicely done!

    A tale of racism and social injustice told in the manner of an allegory or fable. We get just enough information on the characters to keep us intrigued - long after the story has been told. Nicely done!

    ”
  • Morey Norkin: A Lynch Mob Foiled (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    “

    Don Baker takes us back to Indiana in 1880 through the recollection of Sheriff Gus Lemcke. Baker provides a vivid picture of that era through the authentic language of this monologue. The story of this White sheriff protecting a Black prisoner from an angry White mob is compelling and frightening knowing how it could have turned out. Another excellent example of Baker shining a spotlight on injustice and those willing to stand against it.

    Don Baker takes us back to Indiana in 1880 through the recollection of Sheriff Gus Lemcke. Baker provides a vivid picture of that era through the authentic language of this monologue. The story of this White sheriff protecting a Black prisoner from an angry White mob is compelling and frightening knowing how it could have turned out. Another excellent example of Baker shining a spotlight on injustice and those willing to stand against it.

    ”
  • Ian Donley: A Lynch Mob Foiled (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    “

    The language is vividly clear. From the first paragraph to the last sentence, the story is giving its full complexity and nuance.

    The language is vividly clear. From the first paragraph to the last sentence, the story is giving its full complexity and nuance.

    ”
View all 8 recommendations