The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-05
STURGIS STRETCHED.

THOMSON, Ga, Jnne 3.-[Special. For
some time the citizens OF this place have been
much annoyed by series of burglaries and
attempts to enter houses, which baflled their
most strenuous efforts to discover the perpe-
traitors.
About year ago some one entered the resi-
dence of Miss Jennie Collins, on White Oak
street, and took therefrom sum of money.
Later Mr.. w. c. Worrill's house was entered
and his daughter robbed of about $50.
About two weeks ago, Mr.. A. L. McLean's
residence was entered. Tho would-be burglars
entered the room of young lady visitor, and
upon her awakening, threatened her life IL she
gave the alarm. She screamed, and they
JUMPED THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW,
and made good their escape. The next day. q
negro. by the name of Mack Bacon, was ar
rested on suspicion, but the evidence was not
conclusive enough and he was released. He
was soon afterward whipped and ordered to
leave town.
Late at night last week some one tried to
enter the room occupied by two young ladies
at DIR. W. M. Pittss residence. They were
discovered, and the doctor promptly went to
the window, bat the scoundres had gone.
few nights later the residence of Judge +.
s. Harris was visited. They went to the win
tors, but no attempt was made to enter.
Other residences were visited by those dar-
ing burglars, and the whole town has been in
n state of excitement
PULLED FROM UNDER A BED.
On Monday night the daring scoundrels
were at last cornered. and the manner in
which it was accomplished is best told by the
following excerpt from the McDutiie Journals
Mrs Willie burnside, of Augusta, Is visiting her
mother, Mrs Basford, in this place About /
o'clock on Monday night she awoks, and was sur
had been extinguished, and q window was OPEN
She arose quietly, lighted the lamp and discovered
pair of feet and legs under her bed With re-
markabe nerve.and GOODNESS she went into another
room awoke her sister, and sent for assistance for
the ladies and children of the family were alone in
the house, while she herself returned 10 her room
and, with heroic courage. sat down on the bed
within a few inches of the hidden burglar. In
few minutes M9ssrs. D. f. Irving Campbell Will
Hanson and John Arlington arrived and promptly
pulled the scoundrel from his hiding place. He
proved to be Allen Sturgs, colored, about 20 years
county. Being questioned he confessed TO being
one of gang of negroes in Thomson and vicinity,
who were banded together for the purpose of com
hitting any sort OF rascality He said that himself
and his gang had committed all OF the crimes we
have named, and gave the uames of his accompllces
Allen was placed in Jail and warrants issued
for the following: John Ramsey, Charlie Nc
Nair, Afford Reese and Sam Jones.
THE COMMITMENT TRIAL.
A commitment trial was held on Wednes-
day last. and all were bailed out except Allen
of the superior court.
There has been much diversity of opinion as
to the proper course to be pursued
in the matter. Some were in favor
of taking the law in their own hands
and making an example of Allen,
while others favored allowing the law to take
its course.
Since the commitment trial, Allen has con-
fessed to going to the rooms of several young
ladies, and watching them dsrobe for the night
1t is hard to say exactly what his motives was
for entering Mrs. Basford's residence. Whether
he only went rs a sneak thief or contemplated
some more serious crime, is question, and
from his own confession it is natural TO suppose
he had in view something more than the mere
stealing of money.
DANGLING TO LIMB.
Everything has moved along very quietly,
and most people were surprised on awaking
this June Sunday morning to learn that
band of determined men had silently come
into the quietly sleeping town, and, after
breaking into the jail, taken Allen Sturgis
and hanged him to an oak tree Just on the
outskirts OF the town. The place where he
was found hanging is on a little emnence, just
beyond the colored Baptist church, by the side
of the public road
Everything was done with so much system
and done SO quietly that even tho night mar
shall was not aware of it, There is no excite
ment here over the occurrence, and every ono
seems to be satisfied that Alen hasbeen dealt
with as best suited his crime.
A great many persons have visited the scene
this morning, and many more will go to see
him hanging there today.
The coroner was notified and held an inquest
on the body. Following is the verdict:
We, the jury, find that Allen sturgls came to his
death on Saturday night. June 3D. 1883, by hanging
by parties unknown to us.
While 1t is quite often the case that lynch
ing parties are rather hasty, In this instance
they seem to have deliberated woll over tho
matter and acted with discretion. There IL no
doubt Of Aliens guilt, and there is no doubt
but that his dead body hanging by the public
road this Sabbath morning will prove a good
warning to both white and black that the men
of Thomson and McDufie know how to act
when the emergency arises. If the negro had
have been allowed to stand trial by jury
there is not the shadow Of doubt but what
he would have boon sent to the penitentiary
But what good would have been accom-
plished? Practically nothing, as his class Of
criminals, white or black care no more for
serving term In the penitentary than they
would for the bite Of q MOSQUITO.
Even the colored people approve Of the
step taken, and say he only had justice melted
out 10 him. The mother of this negro would
have nothing TO do with the body. and would
not even let it be carried TO her house. The
negroes will have absolutely nothing to do
with it. 1t is now in the hands Of tho cor
oner and constable, and they are in communi-
cation with the medical college of Augusta
preparatory to turning the body over to that
fraternity, in accordance with the law, which
provides in such cases. This is the first lynch
ing that ever took place in McDufie county.
As n rule our people are conservative and law
abiding, and 1t was only repetition OF at
tempts TO commit these peculiar outrages that
caused our people to lose their heads, and re-
sort to lynch law.
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