October 9, 1885: Benjamin Little

Today we learn about a Texas lynching through the pages of The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana) dated October 12, 1885:

TEXAS

MOUNT PLEASANT.

The Lynching of Little.

GALVESTON, Oct. 11.—A special to the News, from Mount Pleasant, says:  On Friday night, about 11 o'clock, a body of unknown men took Benjamin Little, a negro, from his cabin, on Austin's plantation, and hung him to a tree.

It appears that a few days ago, Little and another negro, named Charles Young, robbed a white man, who was asleep , of $1.60. They were arrested, but Little was subsequently released on bail.

On the back of the corpse was pinned a note stating that Little was not hanged because of the robbery but for slandering a respectable white family residing here. The note read:  "Furthermore, we feel that we have done a great and noble act for our country and as gentlemen."

"CITIZENS OF MOUNT PLEASANT."

An inquest was held on the body and the coroner's jury found that Little came to his death at the hands of persons unknown.

Thank you for joining me and as always, I hope I leave you with something to ponder.