New-York tribune., 1886-03-09
TIE MOB AT EATONTOWN.
BURIAL OF THE MURDERED "MINGo JACK"
EVERYBODY EXPECTED THE LYNCHlNG-NO PRE-


EATONTowN, March S.-The blackness of the
night still hung along the New-Ier~ey coast when the
farmers about EatOntown from their slumbers TO
get their morning chores done in time to get into the
village for the opening OF the inquest to the murder
OF Samuel Johnson "Mingo Jack" by 10 o'clock,
the hour xcd the investigation to begin, several
hundred congrcgatod in and about Hairs
Wheeler House. They afOot and by all kinds OF
vehicle. some. doub with fear and trembling lest
wise ndiscreet witness should implicate
them in the crime Nr. Hall had gathered great num-
ber Of chairs his broad hall and reception which
quickly tllcd and all standing room taken. Cor
oners Van Woert and Smith before small table in
the room, with their backs the big window opening
the piazza The jury occupied sofas at the back Of
the room and long table filed with reporters from
NcwYdrk Philadelphia aud local press. In the group
around the coroners Mr. swartz, who
represents Prosecutor Haisht, OF Mon
mouth County; Lawyer stcen, Of EaontOwn
who said this morang that he expected to represent tie
colored friends Mrgo jack; Colonel Ilendrckson,
Internal Revenue Collector the district and Justice
OF the Peace John C. Edwards. Constable Hermann Lieb-
entha called the and each placed his hand
the book he would out in voice strong enough
to lll Madison Square Garden " OH"
At O'Clock while the inquest In progress OF In
the pines pitul taking place at the hut of
the johnson family. The little cabin packed with
their skinned relatives and friends, and many more
were grouped closely around the open door The Rev.
John Hammett of tho African Church. preached ser
mon over the body OF tho murdered wretch, MingO
Jack" The froW Matthew: We must all die.
and after this the iu1 gupnt" No reference made
to the dead mans crime the manner Of his taking
After the simple service the body was borne to the
south EatoutOvn Cemetery and buried in the paupers'
plot II reported in town by one Of those who was
present when the pine coffin taken TO the hut
nephew OF MingO Jack " objected to It, because he
thought that the county to pay for 1t should be
moro costly.
squire John c. Edwards was the first witness In
answer to questions by Coroner Van Wocr he acknowl-
edged an acquain with Samuel Johnson or Mingo
Jack" whO he thought, seventy years old He SAID
that he issued for the negros arrest upon an
accusation made by Angcne Herbert Friday but did
not give It 10 tho constable until the next day after
johnson mai been arrested. Dr. Beach and the grPs
father perhaps OF his sons, were present when
the aiidavit was prepared When he Instructed the
constable make the arrest Nj. Herbert ntmaed that
he would take OF him.
81 can't remember the language" said the aged JUS
tice "but he led mo to believe that he would shoot
Mingo rs soon he him. lie had a pistol In his
hand. and would not allow him t o 90 with the officer
until he agreed to leave It at home"
Tho witness described the scene at the little brick
iail when ho wa. called to the hanging body. 1lo
identified heavy oak palings covered with cloted
blood and a pckaXc. which were found there. and the
rope with which the hanging was done The sensation
OF Justices testimony and the prosecutors theory
william Kelly asked to the rome. aud when it was
shown him shouted ont
Yes that Is the roIe In which tied hancnans
knot last might In Aliens
The Justice testified that there crowd
present when TINS was said. but he could
not recall tho name OF any particular
person. At this point William Kelly called 70 the
piano-stoo which served witness stand, and while
the coroners whispered togetho twisted himself about
top OF the psnotool and looked greatly worried
The consultation suddenly to an end and Mr. Ed-
wards was asked n thai tho William Kelly he meant
Tbs Squire answered Yes Nelly jumped 10 us icel'
shJduug:
"f rs about the rope that went out OF Aliens you
want Inc here for there no knot In that rope
lie was told that could go. but try and
the fifty cent, .o lie got only the answer ,hat
as he had he not entitled to the fec
He spent tho rest Of the afternoon In filing up" at the
bar, loudly commenting upon the evidence, aud tryins
to e 4 his subpoena for ltty cents
Ncrt came Herman Lebcndan. the town constable.
lie testified that squire Edwards instructed him 1t the
house Mr. Herbert make tho arrest without war
rant nj that Mr. crher insisted upon going with him
saving =, want to shoot the black ----." Mrs.
Herbert persuaded her husband to leave the pistol ut
:" went to Johnsou's hut" continued the witnoss,
- and put him under arrest. Mr.. Herbert followed me
into the room said: II had my pistol with me.
ibe nicrr wouldn't need 20 take yuu away. stcpp,d
the two aud told r llernrrt that the man was
in my charge aud DIDN'T want To nave
any words changed. As stepped ont OF the door with
Johnson. was confronted 6y iolr or hye men, but |
only knew one OF thcin aud a. II was DARK hurried
the prisoner into my hugsy and drove To ny no ,e.
where lett tho buggy aud startel for the lookup with
Johnson. We met Mr. wheeler Johnson sa.d' say
Mr. Wheeler di1nt you see me comnS ny thG ic.-noase
aided IN An excited voice, and It's n good thing NJ
LIebeuthal has got you now. or you would be kIltd
The witness then described the manner In which ne
took ohnson lookup aud secured him there. lie
said that way way home he stopped at Mhceers
home. where he had heard some loud talk about Johh-
son James Eows- being the only one he could rom"m-
ber a. being present kOWsr Is poor man who picks
up small living for himself ana large family ny DO
my chores the people O the village. lie Is staple
minded man. aud 1t II not thought that he knows any
collected tnn !, - NH va. nv d,mbtrr ia xii
him" Then he want to \ Democratic primary meeting
at ocean Port with Dh Beach kObInson smith and
another man ana got nome ai''" ~ ''o H. i,,n ~, no
When no got To the railroad track ho lowered
the light tho lantern walked slowly toward tho lock-
nm hitting and listening now and then, and when he
was satisfied he didn't hear any body he went
into the building Johnson told MIN that some boys had
been about and had shouted that they would hang him
before morning but when he asked II he was AFRAID
Johnson laughed and sald mo LeOenthal sald that
he then went home and to he'd and either heard or
dreamed that he heard men talking under iias horso
sheds and the noise made by hitohing horses. Mr.
schwarz asked him lie did or did not wake up In tho
Not with my knowledge" va. the reply.
on cross examination 10y Mr.. sohwarh. IIebonthal
testified h, Ina "Ie" he wore soldiers can. but
when an examination OF tho cell was made 0n
Saturday morning no cap was found but IN one OF te
cells were tho fragments OF battered aud blood stained
Derby hat. the crown Of which was entirely gone ne
Mns
him In tho cell. IN reply TO question BY Mr. schwartz
ho said ,-, f.,
told Mr. stevens that should not be surprised II
the people should that niger out OF the lookup and
hang him The talk In the house caused To make tho
remark did not thInk that he was In danger then,
but Thought they would take him away from me, II
should try TO take him before Justice OF the Peace that
night ,.- - $1,000. g.,
DR. william II. Beach took the stand after q recess for
dinner uIs testimony was a technical account OF the
result Of the postmorem examination mhuo ny hlmsoh
md nis brother r. NJ. Beach on sunday.
Thomas stewart Herbert was tho next occupant or
the stool and gave his testimony In usOnE erky
vo,cn When IL was finished and read over to him ho
sted tbn Sonlro TO write his saying have
never written II yet" . ,.,.
The coroner began by warning him that he need not
answer any question which might tend TO crlmhate
himself IIo quickly broke In with Tho assertlOh'
Amt got mono to criminate me-"
Mr. swartz then got him to account for all the Nom,
hers OF hs family who 1.-Two at home. JOh the oldest
sop had BEEN Visiting br0thorn'law Al EDetoh dur
d., hut n n and he ana the OtncT