Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-14
THE HALTER IN TAMPA, FLA.
a Brute Hanged In Front of the
Court House.

On Monday last mob broke into the jail
at Tampa, took out prisoner named q. D.
Owens and hanged him on a shade tree In
front of the court house. Owens, who was
an Englishman, about thirty years of age,
had the night before entered the house of
prominent citizen and, after securing a
variety of plunder, entered the room
Of the gentleman's daughter, whom
he attempted to assault. Failing In his
purpose, he stabbed the young lady several
times with a bowie knife and left her al
most dying. Suspicion pointed to Owens,
who was pursued and captured. He ac-
knowledged his guilt and was placed in jail.
The correspondent of the Florida Times thus
describes the lynching that followed:
"In an hours time an immense crowd had
gathered, and vote was called, and all
who favored taking Owens out and hang
ing him to tree were asked to step out.
Nearly all stepped out. Then about
twenty men volunteered to go up to the
Sherff's home and get the jail keys. l am
sure Mr.. Craft did not think for a moment
that the crowd intended harm. When the
mob entered the Sheriff's house he was at
his dinner. AS he rose from the table
dozen pair of hands grabbed him, and be-
fore he knew what he was about his keys
were gone and the mob with them. The
infuriated mob pressed on towards the
jail. In the meantime the mob was grow
ing larger every moment. The jail door
was unlocked, and the prisoner was taken
out. He was the most unconcerned and in
different person present. He said: 'Oh,
you all can't bu)ldoze me. will have a
trial. Then he was hurried across the
court house yard, and then across the street
under large shade tree. A rope was passed
over q limb. a moose made, and bis hands
were tied. Now, for the first time, the mis-
erable wretch realized his fate. Before he
did not know what to think. I am sure he
had no idea of being hung. AS soon as be
saw that the mob was in earnest, then he
denied the crime and begged for his life.
He said he would go to prison for life If
only mercy were shown him. He begged
for trial, and the grmmest reply was given
l ever heard 'Yes, we Will give you trial,
but we will hang you first and try you after
wards
"Lieutenant Danes. OF the Third Artillery,
arrived on the ground, and as soon as he
saw how matters stood he called the garri-
son to arms to rescue the prisoner. The
Sheriff had come down and the Mayor Of
the town, and they were now all begging for
the prisoners life. The poor, friendless
wretch saw that If he could only prolong his
life few minutes the troops in the garrison
would re scue him. How he fought, how he
begged for time, how he called on the crowd
to help him But in vain. AS soon
as the feet and hands of the doomed
man were tied dray was driven under the
tree and Owens placed thereon. When the
dray moved off the rope slipped and the
prisoner fell to the ground. The military
were expected every moment, and now the
mob must work quickly. SO half dozen
ready hands laid hold OF the rope and drew
the body of c. D. Owens up. There the
body hung in the public streets, out in front
of the hall Of justice, court sitting from day
to day-there the body hung till sunset"