The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-06-30
Burning u Negro slave,

The Marian Miss AeluJlicar Of the osth
Of May brings Us an account of u most hor-
rid lynch law atrocity lately perpetratcd in
that State. II is nothing more or less than
the burning Of u negro al tho stake. Tie
negro "DAyE' had been guilty 0, ravishing
and numbering ayounS adyresding a. Gas
ton, Alabama, by the name of Miss Thorn
ton. lie was confined in prison to await
trial, but when the court opened the prose-
cutting attorney moved for a change Of ven
ue, which, upon the proper affidavit, was
granted. THIS, it seems, eSaspcrated tho
citizens What follows we give in the Re
pu5iicans language
On Wednesday, the 23d ut, the citizens
Of South Sumpter assembled en- mdsso o.
Mr.. VIM. McElroy's, and unanimously pas
sed series OF resolutions, reilecting serious
ly upon the conduct of the Judge, aud after
having pledged themselves to snstain each
other, portion Of them proceeded to l.iy-
ingston, and took the miserable criminal By
force from the jail where he was confined.
On Friday following, after the prepara.
tion, they carried him to the spot where he
SO cruelty murdered his innocent victim, and
burned him alive at the stake.
About three thousand persons were pres.
ent, whe witnessed with various emotions,
tho dreadful spectacle.
We were present, but hope that we shall
never again witness a scene like it. The
pyre was composed Of several cords Of ligh.
wood, in the centre of which was green
willow stake, selected in consequence Of it,
indestructabi'i,y by fire.
On the top Of the pile Of light wood tho
criminal was placed, and securely chained to
tta lyn ;,,l q l.
fessed his guilt, stating that he had had no
accomplices that he was actuated by lust
alone, that he had attempted TO violate her
person, but had failed and to conceal the at
tempt had cruelty murdered the poor inno-
cent creature with stump, that while ho
was doing this, she imploreI him to carry
her home to her fathers, and she wou
conceal the violence he had inflicted. Il.
| then left her, but soon returned, and after
again beating her, lic concealed the body III
the very hole where the stake was planted
upon which he suffered.
! After the confession was made, the match
was applied, and in few moments the de-
vouring flames were enyeoping the doomed
negro his fearful cries resounded through
the air, while the surrounding negroes who
witnessed his dreadful agony and horrible
contortons set up an involuntary howl Of
horror. His suiierings, though excru,is.
ting, were short; in q few minutes tho
flames had envelopcd him entirely, revealing
now and then, as they !itfully swayed hther
and thither, his black and burning carcass,
like demon Of the fire, grinning as if in
hellish triumph at his tormentors. Soon all
was over nothing was left but the burning
flesh and charred skeleton of this human de.
vii who could thus deliberately perpctratc
such crime. The hDrrid outrage was fear
fully avenged, and though the heavens were
reckng with the stencil Of burning flesh,
yet justice was satisfied; the law of retalia-
ton was inflicted as nearly as could be, while
the example made Of this wretch had, no
doubt, a salutary effect upon the two thous-
anh slaves who witnessed the execution.
Such an atrocious act as is narrated above
Is rerroach and disgrace upon the civil.
zation Of Mississippi. 1t is deed worthy
only Of the dark ayes in the worlds history.
4 most skiliful use will be made Of it By tho
opponents Of American slavery, and il will
give color and plausibility to dozen tlturs
Uncle TOMS Cabn.-CA. Times.