Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-04
RIGHTFUL
4 sensuOus Murderer Meets
with SWlf aud Terrible
Punishment.
ArLnnsnN a. Mnil. per. 81.

j
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Afbsnsaw CITY Mail. Dec. Is.
Warner, a quiet and u%npretentious
station on the Little Rock, Mississippi
River and Texas railway, forty miles
distant from this city, was the scene Of
a terrible tragedy Tuesday night,
resultingin the death of a negro named
George Branch, at the hands Of an
infuriated mob Of his own color. The
circumstances and details that led to
the commission of the horrible affair
sre almost too sickening and brutal for
recital.
Un sunday evening, an old colored
man and wife, residing about four miles
from Warner, left their home for the
station for the purpose Of spending the
night with friends and making a few
Christmas purchases, leaving at home
two children, a boy aud girl, aged
respectively seven and nine years.
The children retired at their usual
hour, but were
AWAKENED ABOUT MIDNIGHT
by the entrance of a man, who the
children recognized as their uncle,
George Branch. They dreamt Of no
harm, and welcomed him to share
their couch. Without undressing, he
threw himself on the bed, and in an
instant seized the girl, and in spite Of
the tears aud entreaties Of herself and
little brother, proceeded to outrage
her. His beastly passion satiateG, he
arose to go. when the little girl re
marked: "Uucle George, you have
killed me; | hope papa and mamma
will come home before | die" Stung
by fear that his dastardly and unna
tural crime would be made known
through his victim, he drew a revolver
from his pocket, and placing it at her
head, sent a ball
CRASHING THROUGH HER BRAIN.
Without waiting to know the result
Of brutal and cowardly act, he hastily
fed, leaving the terrified boy lying
beside the corpse Of his murdered
sister.
As soon as day appeared, the fright
ened boy notified the neighbors, and
search vas at once began for the fend.
As the news spread, the neighbors
hocked in, and the search became a
hunt. White and black
JOINED IN THE PURSUIT
with a quiet but firm determination
that meant no relaxation until their
object was accomplished. The woods
we're secured, houses searched, until at
last the inhuman fend was found. The
more impetuous began to call for rope,
but better counsel prevailed, and he
was taken to Warner, late on Monday
afternoon. Tuesday he was brought
before a Justice of the Peace for
examination. General II. King White
was present, and ably defended the
prisoner, He made an earnest appeal
that the law be permitted to take its
course; be pleaded with his cOlored
friends to give the accused the benefit
of every doubt. But his eloquenCe fell
upon deaf ears.
BRANCH WAS GUILTY
Of a most heinous crime, and nothing
but his summary execution could ex-
plate it. The blood of his innocent
little victim appealed direct to them
for vengeance, and in their honest
simplicity they looked upop it az the
voice Of God. The trial concluded
late in the afternoon in committing the
prisoner without bail. Sheriff Bob
Rice took charge Of him, intending
next day TO escort him to Star City
and lodge him in Jail. But
TUE AVENGERS WERE DETERMINED.
Aquiet consultation was held among
them. and without . dissenting voice
the decree went forth that the prisoner
must die. The arrangements were
quickly completed, and about o'clock
just as the east bound train pulled out
Of the station, a rush was made for
Dyers saloon, where Sheriff Rice was
sitting guarding Branch. A demand
was made upon the sheriff for the
prisoner, which was bravely refused
but before the officer or his deputy
could interpose to protect him, the
mob seized Branch in his chains and
marched with him to the place of ex
ecution.
THE ROPE WAS ADJUSTED AROUND
HIS NECK,
and without a prayer, without a word
of regret, the monster was launched
into eternity. Noislessly, without any
demonstration, but simply as men who
had discharged a duty to God and
man, the avengers quiety dispersed and
retired to their homes, leaving the
body Of the brute to sway to and fro,a
terrible warning to evil. doors.