The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-02-22
rnEnANaINa oERnnNs
The Negro, by a Mob Al mArtiu.burE, CON.
dsmnal.

Both the Herald and Independent, OF
Msrtinsburg, condemn the lynching OF
Burns. The Herald gives the following
additional particulars
Jailsr Dumiord hearing some rumor
Thursday evening, took the prisoner out
Of his cell and hid him in the cellar, guard
ed by two men. In the face OF the warn
ing by the Court aud the rumors Of lynch
ing in circulation, the whole thing OF his
protection looks like farce.
The coming and going Of men Thursday
night awoke aHl attracted to the streets
many citizens. About II o clock the mob
assumtd definite shape and purpose in the
appearance OF about 200 men on horbe-
back, meeting at the jail from several
directions. Guards were placed at several
points, but many citizens had already as.
sembled, A rap at the door was answered
by Jailer Dumlold, who was confrontedby
. revolver, and from 10 to 10 men entered
the jail and demanded the prisoner. He
told them that he had been removed to
the Morgan county jail but they searched
Tor considerable tlme and were on the
point oileaving, when some one suggested
y search in the cellar. They soon found
him there, when they took him from
the guards, who could make no resistance.
They partly dragged him out, arms
and feeJ shaCkled, and the crowd went
out John and West King, out the VIM
chester Pike, followed by q greater crowd
Of people than the mob itself, at Snod.
grass woods they halted, about two miles
from town. Some OF the lynCheIs cursed
the prisoner and urged his hanging. Al.
ter everything was ready and the COlored
man had prayed, the horse Was taken
from under him and he was left swinging.
II il said by some that his feet touched
the ground the hrst time and they drew
him up again, The mob then dispersed
aftef firing revolVers ut their. dying VIC
tim, some Of the shots taking effect 10 him
but most oil them in the tree.
Crowds went out to the scene Friday
morning, The sight was revolving. His
tongue protruded, his clothes we're torn
and himself disRgured by the agonies Of
death.
Tne Independent says; Barns was not
handled roughly, but was marched out
into the open air. As the moonbeams
Tell on his features the mob laughed, The
iron ball aud chain We're removed from
his limbs and he was told to walk. He
refused. Immediately score OF revolt
vsrs were showed in his face. He then
consented to walk, That was wild and
horrible scene The mob headed for
John street, thence to the pike. The
negro cursed his Captors, while they
made the night hldeous with In.
dian whoops, loud cursing and de-.
mOniac yells, The procession kept
moving for an hour or 80, and hIlted
in the shadows OF the little picnic woods
just this side Of the Big. Springs, about
TWO and one.half miles from town. Burns
had not begged once for mercy, and looked
the leaders aud their associates COOlly in
their faces. The mob surrounded him,
keeping up a wild yelling. This gradually
died down. The rops was adjusted about
the victims neck, Then the stern loader
asked: Joseph Burns, are you guilty ?"
A pause, then the sullen answer: ~ am
guilty." Again the stern voice "Do you
deserve this punishment" ~ do" re-.
piled the doomed man, "and | ask for your
prayers"
A maddened yell burst from three hun.
dred thrOats at the acknowledgment OF
the crime on the part Of the prisoner, and
fierce cries OF Burn him? Out him to
piectsl' resounded on oil sides, while re.
volver shots rang out on the calm night
air. Then again the mob grew quiet. A
man stepped out from. their midst, and
the little group under the
tree prayed with the condemned man,
asking for the mercy OF heaven upon bis
soul: Burns was quiet, and bowed his
head as theprayer was being offered.
Then quick movement swung the rope
over the big limb OF the tree. Hundreds
Of willing hands reached for 1t. There
came low, gurglinR, choking rattle-the
body oil the prisoner shot up-Bhot up-
wards again-and then after few spas
modic Kicks, and a few hard writings,
swung to and fro above the road-Joseph
Burns was dead.
For the next ten minutes Pandemonium
itself seemed turned loose upon the earth.
Wild, loud, horrible, lendish wells and
Shrieks followed each other in wild accord,
aud scores Of cleaning reVolvers belched
forth torrent Of bullets at the motionless
figure dangling from the limb OF the giant
oak. BACCliuy celebrated the event. A
regular set OF devils these men seemed,
gloatinR over their successful accomplish
ment OF their well executed plan OF lynch.
Ing. Some one cut the nsgro's clothes
INTO shreds.
1t Is strange that no guards were on
duty. Strict orders were given 10 protect
The prisoner, yet no one was on hand to
obey those instructions. The court would |
have tried the negro In March, and had |
lrawn the necessary Jurors for a special
.eru Of the court. II remains 10 be seen
whether the matter ends with the mob
Ind lynChing, or whether the future be
warm and rnnlhaannk ,r Tho lvnChara