The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-31
LYNCH LAW AT YAzOO.

Four Negroes Taken from Jail and Put to
Death by a Mob.
YAzoo CITY. Miss, Dec 29.-The prelim-
mary trial of the perpetrators of the bloody
tragedy on Monday night was set for to-day
B. Prewett Williams, Thornton & Will
liams and W. A. Henry for the prosecution;
E. Dienning for the defense. A motion by the
defense for continuance for thirty days re-
suited in the postponement until Tuesday.
This postponement intensified the excite
ment that prevailed, and it became evident
to your correspondent, as it did to everyone
familiar with the facts in the case that the
delay had not added to the length of days
the four miserable wretches had to live.
Notwithstanding the fact that the citizens at
their meeting had resolved to allow the law
to take its course, the facts in the case were
so palm that it was considered that the trial
could be nothing more than mere formality.
Though the surface excitement had subsided
somewhat since Monday, the deep-seated de-
termination of the people TO inhict punish
ment on the perpetrators of the fiendish act
remained.
The coroner's jury, after four days in
vestigation, found that the two Poseys and
that the instruments used were guns and
pistols, in the hands of Bob Swayze
Mlcajah Parker, Richard Gubbs
W. H. Foote, Henry Schuler and
Octavius Thomas principals Emanuel
Stevens Lewis Carter Mitchell Brooks ir,
Jim Gubbs, Ras. Kelly, accessories, and other
parties to the jury unknown, were implicat-
ed; all negroes. The announcement of this
verdict seemed to arouse the feeling that had
apparently subsided, to fan the smouldering
embers into flames These flames were aug
n:ented by the talk of friends and relatives
of the victims of Mondays bloody work into
a perfect fury by the time it was given out
that there had been postponement of the
preliminary trial.
About this time a report was circulated
that Fritz Holder who was shot on Monday,
had died This report was changed later to
a statement that he was dying. This added
fuel to the flames. The cry for vengeance
went out from many throats- Tho report of
the postponement together with the news
that another name had been or would soon
be added to the death list, went out into the
country, and this evening men from the
country began coming into town, with cool,
quiet determination written on their faces,
and the same was observed of many towns
men.
VENGEANCE DETERMINED UPON.
The matter seemed to take shape about
O'Clock, though no meeting was held, so far
as can be ascertained, nor any organization
formed. But about that time it appeared to
be considered as a matter of course that the
men wonld be lynched tonight but it was
generally expected that the step would be
taken toward midnight. There were not
wanting cool heads and earnest advocates of
law and order. But in reply to their en-
treaties, when they ventured to address any
one, they were assured there was no signs of
lawlessness, and everything was quiet and
orderly. There was no drunkenness and no
great hullabaloo on the streets. Toward 5
o'clock it became known that that honr had
been fixed upon for removing the four me-
groes, and plans that had been laid for get
ting them out of Jail and out of town as soon
as dark came seemed to be all in vain
Through the Intervention of Father Wise
the hanging was delayed, but for a while
only.
About o'clock the crowd began to form
on Main street. and to the number of about
200 they marched through the middle of the
streets to the Jail, where they entered through
the gates. The keys were demanded from
the jailer, and were promptly handed over
and he was ordered to retire to his horne,
which he did.
The crowd then entered the Jail and pro-
ceeded to the cell of w. H. Foote. The door
was forced open, and as one of the crowd en-
tered he was struck by Foote with an and
and knocked down. All this moment firing
commenced and Foote was instantly killed,
being riddled by more than a dozen bullets.
Robert Swayzee, another of the murderers,
was taken from his cell, a rope placed around
his neck, and he was thrown over the fence
and hung.
They then proceeded to the cell in which
Richard Gubbs was incarcerated but could
not open the doors with the keys Gubbs ap-
peared at the grating of his cell, and on being
perceived was riddled with shot, and rope
passed into the cell, which was placed around
him by his cell mate. He was then dragged
out and hung from the outside of the build
ing.
The crowd then proceeded upstairs to
Micajah Parker's cell. He was faken out, a
rope placed around his neck, and in the bal
cony of the middle corridor OF the Jail he
was hung, the body hanging over the bal
cony. After this the crowd quietly dispersed.
During the afternoon all places of business
and bar-rooms were closed.
THEIR CRIME.
That the world may know just why this
great tragedy was enacted here tonight, a
condensed statement is given of the deeds
committed by the crowd of negroes, of which
the four killed to-day were the ringleaders:
The affair occurred last Monday night at
about 10 o'clock. Three men in the prime
and vigor of young manhood were shot
down like dogs, and two Others, also in the
prime of life, were seriously, one of them
probably mortally wounded, all by negroes
Those killed were John T. and Carnot
Posey, brothers, and Jasper Nichols, the two
former being merchants, and the latter q
steam mboatman. The Poseys were sons of the
late General Posey of confederate fame, a
gallant and brave officer who fell on the bat
tle-field at the head of his command
Nichols was not so well known in town,
but leaves most excellent renntation as q