Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-05-14
LYNCH LAW AT CENTREVILLE
A Mob Hang a Black Brute
to a Peach Limb.
HE WAS CONVICTED OF RAPE
And Had Just Been Given 81
Years Time.
The Indignant Citizens Force the Jail
and Haul the Covering Criminal QUIT
Riddied with Shot Before the Hang
ing.

Special Correspondence Of Gazette and journal
CENTREv1LLE, Mp, May 12.-This town
IS in great excitement, caused by the
lynching of Asbury Green at / o'clock
TINS morning. His case had been tried al
this present term of court, where he was
charged with having committed rape upon
Mrs Tolston Of Kent Island. His lawyer,
ME- Harley, made an earnest plea for his
client, and used to the utmost the indif.
terent evidence to establish an alibi, but
the evidence was all against the prisoner.
Mrs. Tolstons intimate acquaintance with
him, because of his having been employed
for months by her husband and her direct
statement as to the time, place and person,
left no room for any doubt in the matter.
The prosecutor closed his speech at $40 D.
M, the jury retired, and returning at 6
O'Clock, reported they found the prisoner
guilty.
By the law of Maryland this meant
hanging, or Imprisonment from is
months to q years, at the discretion Of the
court. The judge sentenced him to q years
Imprisonment in the penitentiary and re-
manded him to prison.
Ever since the trial began there have
been rumors that if it was proved Green
committed the crime he should die the
death, no matter what penalty the court
placed upon him; but the more sober
minded deemed the rumors as the rash ut
terances of the rasher element.
Last night, however, it was evident early
IN the evening that something was in the
air. Men were whispering together IN
groups, and il was evident they were under
strong excitement. The sheriff had put six
eXtraguards on duty to prevent any attempt
upon the Jail; but al | o'clock an organ
lzed mob of ABOUT 800 men, armed with
rifles and shotguns, bore down upon the
Jail, uyerpowered and disarmed heguards,
forced their way into the jail, and then
into the cell, where the frightened prisoner
stood pleading for mercy.
Without giving him time to dress a stout
rope was quickly fastened around his
neck, and he was snatched down, and
dragged out Of the Jail into the street. The
poor wretch.s piteous appeals were an
swered by pistol shots, varied by an occa-
ssional shotgun. Out Broadway they dragged
him, while part of the company went on
before to select tree.
They did not go far,only to the peach
orchard of Mrs. Il. 3. Nunam, about6O0yards
from the Jail and court house, and there
the almost lifeless body was strung up to a
little limb of peach tree about two inches
in diameter, with his feet not over foot
from. the ground. While still dangling in
the air few more shots were fired into
the body, and the crowd dispersed.
YOU. correspondent was early at the
place Of execution this morning. The tree
selected stands about 80 feet from Steam-
boat avenue, in full view of the street.
Ills only clothing was a torn shirt, and
very much worn pair of drawers which
were forced down into tangle about the
feet, leaving the body bare from the waist
to the ankles. His right shoulder is badly
bruised, and bleeding from contact with
the ground while being dragged His
head has several wounds from pistols and
guns, from which the blood is oozing, His
right, hand is drawn up to the left side Of
he throat in the vain endeavor to free
himself from the fatal moose. While his
half opened eyes and slightly prutruding
ongue go to make up the most horrible |
picture.
At this writing the body still hangs as
he lynchers left him; but the coroner has |
summoned his jury and it will soon be re- |
NEGROES THREATENING.
While the rumored threats of lynchine.
n case of failure of the court to hang
ireen,, were still in the air, the negroes
we're threatening vengeance in case any
ynching was attempted. Now, as the
whites have carried ont their threat, il re-
mains to be seen whether the negroes win
tempt to carry out any such foolish
cheme as retaliation. This morning negro
1en and women are muttering Yery loud.