The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-16
AN INFURTATED MOB.
EXCITING EVEN AT IUKA, MISS.
LATE FRI Y NIGHT.
Enraged at Failure &C s,ye a Revolt
ing Crims the Mo, Two Brake
men Accused OF Completely in an AL
legged Murder Out.

About two weeks ago the publication
was made Of tragedy on the Memphis &
Charleston Railroad, between Margerum,
Ala, and Iuka, Miss.
A white man named Whitehurst was
found cut in two, as il by train, and
would have passed into oblivion as going
that way but for the testimony OF a man
named Stewart
Stewart is laborer, employed in the
gravel pits along the Charleston Road,
beyond luka, and was stealing ride on
the freight train, OF which Conductor Ed
Hamm had charge. Whitehurst was q
tramp, also stealing ride, and in company
win stewart. The latter, as in one sense
an employe OF the road, was tolerated by
the trainmen, but Whtehurst had been
put OIL two or three times, only
TO board it again in time 10
move along. Stewards story is that.
by some means, he was induced
TO leave the. coal car on which he and
Whitehurst were travelling. He claims
that he had hardly gotten out OF view
when he heard two pistol shots. II was
therefore charged by him that Conductor
Hamm had shot Whitehurst, and that
Swan Burroughs and Alfred Casey, the
two train brakeman, had thrown tho fell
low OIL in such manner that the next
train would pass over and cut him in two.
When the body was discovered next day,
II was mutilated, and, from appearances,
by train going in the opposite direction
from that OF Conductor Hamm. Stewart
was alone in this statene nt, but il was
sufficient to cause the arrest OF the two
brakemen, and the conductor would have
been similarly treated, but for the
fact that he took a vacation
and went to the southern part OF Mssis-
sippi on visit to relatives. Few people,
however, believe the story OF Stewart.
Friday night there was q mob at Iuka,
collected 10 avenge another shocking
crime, the particulars OF which are as fol-
lows; Some four or five years ago q daugh-
ter OF one OF the most respected and prom
lnent citizens became deranged and was
sent to the State Insane Asylum for treat
ment Not improving but growing worse
until she became an imbecile, she was re-
turned 10 her grief-stricken parents, who
wished TO assume the care OF their
once beautiful and bright child in her
sad aflliction. Three days ago this
girl gave birth TO child, a mulatto. The
crime was charged to a negro on the place
and he confessed. lie was arrested and
hurried of to Jail at Iuka, since which
time the irate and determined citizens of
Huntsville have been making every effort
TO get at him. The jail was sieged but
nothing rs TO him WIS accomplished, for
some time, rs the Jail was heavily guarded
by the Sheriff. The black brute is forty
years old and has most horribly ropul-
sive countenance.
As perseverance, wins far more frequent
~ than II fails, so il was in this instance.
The mob about midnight gained admission
70 the jail through force. They found
that the negro for whom they had come
together had been secretly removed By
the Sheriff Enraged at their failure they
seized the two negro brakemen accused OF
completely in the murder OF Whitehust,
dragged them out 10 tho cemetery, where
preparations had been made 20 hang the
other negro. The two men, feeling that
their last hour had arrived, screamed for
mercy along the entire route. The rope
was placed about the neck Of one OF them,
and lie was strung up. While this one
was dangling in the air, his companion In
peril ayailed himself OF an invita-
ton and made what he termed n
plain and full confession. IL was
to the effect that they, with
Conductor Hamm, had row with White.
hurst over his travelling TO huntsville on
their train. In the midst OF the row White
hurst drew his knife and started at them,
when the conductor pulled his pistol, shot |
and killed him and threw him of the ca.
bose onto the track, so that the next train |
might run over him. The negroes further |
said that Hamm then told them he would |
Kill them II they ever informed OF his act. |
The mob, at the suggestion OF the leader, |
cut the hanging man down before life |
WAS extinct, and carried both back TO Jail |
10 hold as witnesses against Hamm. |
The greatest excitement prevails, but there |
Is no probability that the mob will resort |
10 any further violence. While there Is
some disposition nj luka 10 rely upon the |
story Of the negroes, II Is generally be. |
licyed by those outside the excited circle |
that II was merely last ruse 10 save their
own necks from the mob.
Friends OF Conductor Hamm are at no |
loss to account for Stewards story Of the
tragedy. lie was one OF great gang Of |
laborefs who continually annoyed train
men, and Mr.. Ilamm was exceedingly /
yigilant In driving them of his train. In |
this he incurred the mortal enmity OF tho
gang. They further point TO the fact that
there was no coal car on the train, despite
the statement that the tragedy was
enacted on one. They also re-
between the cXlorted confession aud
occurred on the caboosc and the latter on
Ia n Ne Al 81
friends at present are mainly directed
coward keeping him away from Iuka until
ihe excitement incident 10 the lynching
Zee has subsidized. After this has oc.
~irrcd they arc anxious that ho stand
-rInl unI La nrnniIInh N ihnu nrn cnrlnir |