NEW BEGINNINGS

Mildred Janssens story of the Rainsbargers continued right up to the present day, covering the eventual pardon of Frank and Nate Rainsbarger. This however did not come about without a fight. 

At the beginning of the 20th Century, some of the truth began to come out. Mildred’s story continued: 

“After Frank and Nate had been imprisoned for 20 years, they had a visit from a weak and frail man who had been a prominent citizen and owner of a grist mill in Steamboat Rock in the 1870’s and 1880’s. Being aware that his life was almost over, this conscience-stricken shadow of a man made a trip to the prison. Slowly shuffling through the gates, he made his way to the office of the prison for the meeting with Frank and Nate. He told them of his participation in the lynching of their brothers. Barely able to speak, his weakened voice confessed everything. How the leaders of the Vigilance Society were the real instigators of the crimes and that two of them committed the crime for which Frank and Nate were found guilty. That an inner circle, bound by a death oath never to reveal their identities or crimes, were the guilty ones. That many good men who joined the society with good intentions never learned the truth. That those who did find out, feared for their lives. Reaching for the hands of Frank and Nate, he begged their forgiveness and remorsefully ended the visit saying he ‘wanted to make peace with God and man” before he died.”