Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-06-16
tFroin the Marion (sTss.) Republican, May 2s1
HORRID ATROCITY-BURNIN NEGRO
AT TIE STAKE In MISSISSlPpI.
Tie Scene IVitneSsed By three thousand CHI

Tie Scene IIitaessed by three thousand Cih-
SonS and tUO thousand Siares.
Some time since we published the account
OF the murder of Miss Thornton, an interest
ing young girl, residing near Castor, Ala
bama. Immediately after the murder and
detection Of the negro, his immediate punish
mcnt was seriously contemplated by the
people Of Sumpter county, but after mature
deiberation, the law-abiding citizens deliver
ed him into the custody of the proper officers,
and he was committed to prison.
At the last term of the Circuit Court of
Sumpter county, the attorney appointed by
the Court, in the discharge Of his duty, moved
for change of venue to Green county The
Judge, rs the motion was sustained by the
proper affidavit, sustained the application.
On Wednesday last the citizens of South
Sumpter assembled en- m0sse at Mr.. William
McElroy's and unanimously passed q series
of resolutions rchecting seriously upon the
conduct of the Judge, and after having
pledg, d themselves to sustain each other, they
proceeded to Livingston, and took the mis-
cradle criminal by force from the Jail where
he was confined On Friday last, after due
preparation they carried him to the spot
where he so cruelty murdered his innocent
victim. and burnt him alveat the stake.
About three thousand persons were pres
ent. who witnessed, with various emotions,
the dreadful spectacle. We were present,
but hope that we will never again witness a
scene like it. The pyre was composed of
several cords of light wood, in the centre Of
which was green willow stake, selected in
consequence of its indestructablity by fire.
On the top Of the pile of light wood the cri-
mnal was placed, and securely chained to the
stake. While in this situation he confessed
-. Is A. 4 L. l. I IL,
that he was actuated by lust alcne-that he
had attempted to violate her person, but
had failed and to conceal the attempt he
had cruelty murdered her, by beating the
poor innocent creature with stump that
while he was doing this, she implored him
to carry her home to her father, and that she
would conceal the violence he had inflicted.
lie then LEFT, but soon returned, and after
again beating her, he concealed her body in
the very hole where the stake was planted to
which he suffered.
After this confession was made the match
was applied, and in few moments the de-
vouring flames were enveloping the doomed
negro his fearful cries resounded through
the air, while the surrounding negroes who
witnessed his dreadful agony and horrid con
| tortions sent up an involuntary howl of hor-
ror His sutferings, though eXcruciating
were short in few minutes the flames had
enveloped him entirely, revealing now and
then, as they ft(ully swayed, hither and
thither, his black and burning carcass, like Q
| demon of the fire, grinnng as if in hellisl
triumph at his tormentors. Soon all was
over, nothing was left but the burning fesl
and charred skeleton Of the human devil, who
could thus so deliberately perpetrate so tou
a crime. The horrid outrage was feartully
avenged, and though the heavens were reek
ing with the stencil of burning flesh, yet
justice was satisfied the law of retaliation
was inflicted as nearly as it could be, while
the example made of this wretch had, nc
doubt a salutary effect upon the two thou
sand slaves who witnessed his execution.
We are far from approving of the inhictior
of mob law, yet, in aggravated cases like
| this, popular ebullition will manifest itself
and in view of the enormity of the wretch's
offence, we, as Il public journalist, cannot ap
! prove yet We have neither time nor inclina
! tion to censure the conduct of the people o
South Sumpter. Justice was inflicted b.
them, and thousand deaths of the kind were
too good for devil like negro Dave.