The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1883-10-13
The FUEitives Captured.

I
noted criminals, Lewis Woods, col
ored, and Oscar Martin, white, haG
been captured in Jasper county, Texas
and the prisoners delivered to our au
thorities. Upon investigation, Tho
ECHo reporter learned, that Martin
only had been brought to Lake Charles
At Edgerly station a crowd of des
perate and outraged citizens met the
train and took forcible control Of
Woods, and without any attempt al
disguise, conveyed the black fend a
short distance from tie depot, and
there and then put summary end to
his existence. There are several ru-
mors as to the manner in which death
was mcted out to him, but in the ab-
sence of any positive knowledge, the
Echo refrains from any statement in
the matter. Martin would have I'M
doubtedly shared the fate of his COM
panion in crime, but for the fact that
some one on the train hid the boy I'M
der the car seats, and the officer 10
charge gave out that he had been left
in the Orange Jail. AS soon as it be-
came known that Martin was in Jail
here threats of lynching were heard
upon every corner. Crowds of men
gathered here and there and openly
expressed the intention of hanging the
prisoner at all hazards. Toward night,
Chief Deputy Richard became con-
WINGED that the prisoner must be re-
moved secretly from the Jail. Accord
iDgly Deputy Sheriff J. J. Lyons and
D. s. A. Hartman secured a hack and
placing Martin therein, started for
Pine Island, there to take the train
and convey the prisoner to Opelousas.
The mob getting wind of the move
boarded the train here for the purpose
of taking the prisoner when the guard
should arrive at Pine Island. Having
time. the latter determined to go on
10 Welsh station, which they did.
Here they were met by the mob, and
were also joined by Deputy c. NJ.
thus making the sheriff.
posse three in number. In attempting
to put the prisoner aboard the train
Deputy Lyons was compelled to
knock one of the mob down. At this
Hartman sprang upon the
rain, pulled Martin after him, drew
lis pistol and boldly announced his
Intention Of shooting the first man
who made an aggressive movement. In
his he was seconded by Richard and
Lyons. All three of them being known
Is men Of determined and cool cuur-
lge, their threats to protect the pris-
,ncr at the peril of their own lives,
lad the desired effect, and while a
CIV of the mob remained on the train,
,oing as far as Mermcntau, the ma
GRITTY Of them dispersed at Welsh
tation, and no further effort was
made to take possession of the pris-
'ner, and he was accordingly safely
odged in the Opelousas Jail.
While the Echo has always strcnu-
usly opposed anything which in the
EAST partakes Of mob violence, the
rimes of Woods were SO henious
n their nature, that his tragic death
lust necessarily have been expect
d. Martins crime, that of at
emptlug to murder his father, was
monstrous one within itself, and
alculated to inspire the most bitter
aired against him, aside from the
act that the impression prevailed
hat he had indirectly participated
4 Woods last crime. This however,
nc Echo has reason to believe was
mistake.
The prisoners we're first apprehended
y gentleman named-E. P. Farr, near
ne Netches river, in Jasper county,
exas, and were by Mr. Farr turned
yer to Deputy Sheriff Foster, of this
arish, and DR.. L. N. Minis, who with
ne above results, discharged the duty
imposed upon them. II
II it be true, as rumored, that Woods
as burned at the stake, his fate was
deed terrible, but commensurate
18th bis awful crimes. What a warn
g is thus conveyed to all eyil-doers
the same ilk. The EcHo drops
le curtain over this, the most exciting
I'd fearful occurrence that ever trans
fred in this parish, with the hope
lat it may never again be called
pom to chronicle a similar outrage q
90 much praise cannot be gwen Mr.,
oster and DR.. Minis for the manner
which they discharged their duty. !
Since writing the above we learn
lat Joe Hardin. a colored man, aided
Try materially in the capture of the
risouers, to whom much credit is due. !
We most cheerfully recommend /,
IlPs Manual of Social and Business I
orms as very full work on the va
ous forms which every person is