Morris tribune., 1882-11-02
BLACK RAVISHER LYNCHED.
Terrible Crime of Negro Near Grand Forks
His Fate-A Triple Tragedy-Whole-
sale Hangins-Other Grimes.
The Grand Forks Rapist,

negro, who used to work in barber
shop in this city, who is only known by tho
name of Aleok. rode up on horse
back to party OF thirteen men
threshing on . farm five miles the
other side of Norton. He made some inquiries
about land and rode on. About half mile
away he met young Norwegian girl bringing
water to the men and was seen to dismount,
knock her down and outrage her. Some of
the men took team from the threshing ma
chine and started in pursuit, but before they
reached him he mounted his horse
and rode away. They kept him
in sight for another mile, when he was again
seen to dismount, hitch his horse and entesa
the house Of Conductor Sam Burbank of the
Manitoba road As the men approached the
house they heard women screaming and, being
armed, shot the negro's horse hitched out
side. While in the house, the brute
outraged Mrs. Burbank, and appeared outside
Just as the pursuers were approaching He
drew knife and brapdished it, and making
threats, started on run toward this city. For
some Gnaccountable reason the pursuers did
not dare fire on him, but followed him three
miles further, and finally lost sightof him,
after following him total of eight miles. Re-
turning, the men found his horse dead where
shot and that Mrs. Burbank had been terribly
outraged. DR.. Collins of this city happened
along soon afterward, and treated the patients
and telegraphed the facts to the chief OF po-
lice of this city. Capt Griggs, Col
Smith and large number Of citizens have
formed avigilance committee and are now scour-
ing the town for the culprit. All the bridges
are guarded 10 prevent his escape to the Min
nesota side When last seen the fiend was
three miles west of the city coming this way.
1t is rumored that he has twice been seen in the
outskirts Of the town since o'clock, but there
=, oh hat ii
to trace the rumor to an authentic source.
He is described as tall and thickset, with a
SLOUGH hat, a hole in his pants, and with side
whlskers and small goatee. He can be cas-
ilv identified by three women and the thirteen
men if found He is quite well known
in the city, but no one knows any
other name for him than that of Aleck If
caught and identified there is talk of burning
him alive. No news from the women since the
outrage. Capt. Griggs and party armed with
rifles, have just started for the country and
another party has gone to half breed camp,
y mile from the city where negro prostitutes
congregate. An employ Of A. Abraham's
store announced that he saw him at $50 this
afternoon near the railroad freight house in
quiring for the American hotel
special dispatch to the Daily Herald from
Buxton gives the name of the rapist as Charles
Thurbane, and says he has claim at DEVILS
lake, toward which he started 1t is still be-
lieved, however, that he is not far from this
city. Policeman Fadden intimates that he
can and will produce him within six
hours. and purse of $500 has beenGiyen
him to encourage him to fulfil his prediction
The committee of citizsns are now more quiet,
and are waiting for FatIen to flush the game
His arrest is only matter of time, but will
probably not be before morning. Sheriff
jerks has started for Norton on hand car.
About IL o'clock Officers Todden and Chief
of Police Hennessy found the black fend in
bed at hotel at East Grand Forks, and had
but little difficulty in capturing him. He con-
fessed to the crime and said he had been
drinking. When the vigilance COMMITTEE heard
of the arrest it was only with
difficulty that they were restrained from storm
ing the city Jail and lynching the prisoner.
The officers, however, had him under lock
and key before the arrest was known, and will
protect him. Capt Griggs and Citizens are at
the new depot irving to charter special train
to go to Norton for Witnesses, and the lynch
ing or burning alive of the prisoner is only
ques ton of time, After he is identified and
tried mob will make short work of him. The
name of the negro is Charles Thurbur. He is
about thirty years of age
GRAND Forks, Oak, Oct, 24.-After wiring
YOU last night the particulars OF the capture
and interview with Charles Thurber, the negro
rapist, the committee eff citizens who had gone
to Norton by special train returned about 4 a.
n. Them proceeded once 20 tho city hall,
where they found they Jail strongly guarded.
Col Smith and others advocating q postpone
ment of hostiiities until the prisoner cOull be
given a hearing and proof of guilt established
by,witnesses. The crowd was about to dis
perse when some one called out: "hang the
nigger!" -s:Lets hang the S. OF a b.
tonight" etc. raid was at once
| made and the outer doors quickly battered
down. A lively tussle then ensuel for half an
| hour, when the citizens again finally re Owed
| to for the time being. Early this morn
| ing as the news was read i'll the papers, knots
| of excited men began to assemble about tie
city hail an6 discuss the situation, the prisoner
| having had time to reflect upon the enorin1ty
| of his crime and having had intimation of the
fate in store for him. A PIONEER PRESS rep
| resentative again called upon him just before
moodily in a corner of his cell, the Romance
! of an almost
WHOLLY UNTOUCHED BREAKFAST
| we're by his side, and the anxiety of the day
| and night had told upon his appearance He
was evidently suffering considerably mentally
| but responded quite briskly to the questions
| asked He stated that he now fully realized
| the enormlty of his crime and was still st
| o loss to account for the motive that
prompted him. He still insisted that he did
| not succeed in his lecherous attempt upon
! Mrs Burbank, but that the failure was que to
| thought was in store for him he said he be-
| lieved the people meant to take his life, an d
| that if he mnst die he supposed he must, but
| he would greatly prefer imprisonment
! for life He believed such q
sentence would be more than
! justice, and said that he should plead guilty
and appeal TO the court and to the PEOPLE to
| spare his life. Itswas generally understood
that the prisoner would have preliminary ex-
| animation at the court house at 2 p. m. At
1880, 200 people had congregated IN front
| Of the Jail to see him removed Ar 2 O'Clock
the crowd had increased to 500, and at ESQ to
| 1000.
| but moved about uneaslly.' A rope was pro-
| duesd and deposited at the foot of a telegraph
| pole. At ESQ Sheriff jerks appeared with a
| warrant and with the aid of numerous depu-
ties conducted the prisoner to the county jail,
where by strategy in avoiding the mob, be
| was finally locked up The crowd had filed
went to the jail and demanded The prisoner.
| The officers beat them back and rendered pow
| erless the battering-rams. Conductor Bur
banH husband of the ravished woman. having
arrived on the noon train, cries OF, Where a.
| with the prisoner" Mr.. Burbank with tearf
in his eyes said,
This caused renewal Of the attempt to so.
cure the prisoner and threats were mAde Of
burning the Jail and attempts to pull it dowr
with ropes and batter 1t in witt
axes After gallant struggle BY
koticers. The doors were burst at 3:45 and Q
.ope was placed around the prisoners neck
who made desperate resistance. Three
thousand people by this time assembled and
there being no tree or pole near, the prisoner
was dragged for many rods BY the excited
mass of people There was such q surgine
mass that no one knew the fate of the beas
for some moments. At last the cry sRas taken
up ito the railroad bridge" and hence the mol
hastened, o dozen men carrying the victim
proceeded to the second span and crowds gath