THREE NEGROES ARE LYNCHED; BODIES RIDDLED WITH SHOTS
Newton (Ga.) Mob Wreaks Summary Vengeance on Murderers of A. S. Bullard, a Country Planter—Willy[sic] Anette, Garfield McCoy, and George McKinney the Victims.
CORPSES LEFT DANGLING AS WARNING TO OTHER COLORED PEOPLE IN VICINITY
Dead Men's Friends Forbidden to Touch Bodies—Jailer Makes Small Resistance When Prisoners Are Demanded—Race War Threatens Wilmington—Blacks Driven from Southern Towns.
Special Dispatch to The Inter Ocean.
NEWTON, Ga., June 26.—Three negro murderers were hanged to the same tree by an infuriated mob here early this morning. The bodies were so riddled with bullets that the clothing was all shot away. Then the corpses were left dangling, as a warning for the rest of the colored population in the vicinity. Friends of the dead men have begged the privilege of cutting them down and burying them, but permission to do so has been sternly refused, and not a negro dares to touch them until given permission by the white residents of the place.
The mob's victims—Wiley Anette, Garfield McCoy, and George McKinney—were awaiting trial in the Baker county jail for killing A. S. Bullard, June 20, on the latter's plantation near Peace, a small town near Newton. Anette, McCoy and McKinney are from Miller county, but had been invited to join in a frolic given by one of the hands of the Bullard place. Being intoxicated, they soon started trouble, which Bullard attempted to stop.
White Man Shot Dead.
As soon as he did so the Miller county negroes drew revolvers and opened fire on the white man, inflicting wounds from which he died Tuesday morning.
The men were brought to jail here, and until midnight last night no hint was given that mob violence was intended. About 12 o'clock, however, Jailer Screws was called up by telephone by a bailiff from an outlying township and informed that the latter had a prisoner whom he wished to lock up. Screws at once went to the jail and had just opened the outer door when several men closed in about him, a revolver was thrust into his face, and the command was given him to open the cell which the three negroes were confined.
A crowd gathered so quickly that it was evident the plan must have been prearranged. Under pressure, Screws opened the cell door, and the prisoners, weeping, and begging for mercy and protesting their innocence, were dragged out and the march commenced to a spot, less than a mile from town, chosen for the execution.''
Jeer Prisoners' Prayers.
To the negroes' prayers for mercy only jeers, blows, and kicks replied. When the fatal tree was reached no time given for any statement from the prisoners. Three ropes were thrown over the same limb, the nooses were adjusted, and the doomed men jerked into the air.
While they were still struggling in their death agony someone fired a revolver into one of the bodies. Instantly a fusillade commenced with pistols, rifles, and shotguns. The corpses were fairly blown to pieces, and even to identify them would now be impossible.
The lynching over, the mob dispersed as quietly as it had gathered. Screws, who is coroner as well as jailer, impaneled a jury for an inquest today. He confesses himself unable to identify any of those in the crowd, and the general opinion is that the lynchers are not residents here, but probably neighbors of Bullard.
WILMINGTON THREATENED BY FIERCE RACE RIOTS
Special Dispatch to The Inter Ocean.
WILMINGTON, Del., June 26.—A resumption of the lawlessness resulting from the recent burning of George White, near here, faced the local authorities. While there is no visible evidence of another outbreak, there is a feeling of uneasiness among the police, which has caused them to take extreme measures of a precautionary character.
Late this afternoon every saloon-keeper in the city was ordered to suspend business until tomorrow. In addition to this, all other public places, such as billiard, pool, and bowling alleys, and the public library, were requested to close up tonight. Mayor Fisher has also requested parents to keep their boys off the streets at night.
Crowds Are Prevented.
Though the streets in the central portion of the city late tonight were filled with pedestrians, the police are preventing the congregation of crowds by keeping every one moving.
The lawless element among the colored people is largely blamed for the disorder of the last two nights. It is claimed that in certain parts of the town they marched through the streets and roughly handled any white person that dared stand in their way. On the other hand, the whites, and some of them of the better class, are not held blameless.
There were no arrests today in direct connection with the lynching and the police give no intimation that they contemplate making any. There is a feeling among the citizens that the authorities will let the matter drop in order to bring about peace and quiet in the community. It is known that certain prominent citizens have suggested to the police that further arrests for the burning of White would be inadvisable, in view of the excitement and disorder caused by the arrest of Arthur Cornell of Hartford City, Ind., in connection with the lynching.
Cornell Is Released.
Cornell was released from custody today, after a lengthy hearing before Magistrate George H. Hollis. Warden A. S. Meserve of the New Castle county workhouse, Chief of Police Black, and State Detective Theodore Francis testified that they saw him in the front ranks of the mob.
In opposition to this members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which Cornell is a member, testified that Cornell was at the carnival given by the Eagles, and that he did not get back to Wilmington until after midnight. When the magistrate released Cornell he was taken in charge by members of the order of Eagles. He was supplied with funds, and this afternoon he left for the West.
He was represented at the hearing by ex-congressman L. Irving Handy and Sylvester Townsend, Jr., and Attorney General Ward represented the state.
Negro Killed in Quarrel.
William Cramer, the colored man who was shot last night, died today. Contrary to police reports last night, Cramer was shot by William Simms, a man of his own color. The two got into an argument in a restaurant over the lynching of White. Simms was given a hearing today, and held without bail to await the action of the coroner.
The courts acted promptly on several cases growing out of last night's disturbances, and some of those under arrest were "railroaded." Leander Moore, colored, who was one of the crowd of rioters at Ninth and King streets last night, was sentenced to one year's imprisonment in the workhouse.
Eugene Johnson, colored, who was arrested for carrying concealed weapons, was held in $200 bail for the upper court.
Joseph Shockley, colored, who was arrested for firing a pistol in a crowd last night, was fined $50 and costs.
John Joyce who assaulted a colored woman, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment.
If there is any further rioting tonight, the police authorities say the militia will be asked for.
LAWLESS NEGROES BANISHED FROM MANY SOUTHERN TOWNS
Special Dispatch to The Inter Ocean.
NEW ORLEANS, La., June 26. —The movement started in several parts of the South to get rid of the disorderly negro element responsible for most of the recent crimes in this section is gaining strength, and it is likely to become general, instead of spasmodic, as formerly, and unload a large number of negro gamblers, confidence men, and other criminals on the North.
The towns in southern Mississippi are following the example of Ellisville and Laurel in this matter, and ordering out all negro criminals, tramps, and dangerous characters. Cooper, in Delta county, has started the movement in Texas. The negro loafers, sneak thieves, and petty-criminals of that town have been taken out by the regulars, whipped, and ordered to leave town.
Taking advantage of the excitement caused by the whipping, the houses of some of the better-class negroes were placarded with notices to leave. They complained to the authorities, and at a joint meeting held at the courthouse the whites pledged their support to do all in their power to keep down the lawless element, and to report all violators of the law among the negroes to the authorities. An investigation disclosed by the fact that the warnings on the houses of the negroes were placed there by mischievous boys.
The name of the plantation owner in other articles is F. S. Bullard.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.