The record-union., 1891-10-10
Summary Justice Melted Out to a
Negro Fiend in Omaha.
INDIGNANT CITIZENS STORM THE
COUNTY JAIL
The Object of Their Search. the yic-
tim of Whose Assault Died From,
the Effects of His DastardIy Treat
ment, Taken From His Cell and
Hanged in Public Street.
Special to tho Rrcorp-uN1oN.

Special to tho RECORD UNION.
OMAHA, Oct. 9.-Public sentiment.
which was wrought up highly here to-
day by the execution of murdcrcr Neal,
was reused to higher pitch when a re-
port became current that littlo Lizzie
Yates, the 5-year-o victim of iustful
assault by Joe Coe, a disreputable negro,
had died. I'VE will hang the nigger''
was soon heard on every side, and it was
evident that the people meant what they
said. Tonight there suddenly came the
sound OF great crowd OF men hurrvinr
along the paved streets toward tha
County Jail, and in q remarkably short
time that building was surrounded. There
was no organization apparent. No leader
seemed to control the crowd. Yells filed
the air, hundreds shouting at once what
to Go. The mob stood irresolute for some
tune, and meanwhile few policemen
and force of Deputy SherifIs was con-
centrated.
A rush was then made for the South
street door Of the Jail, but the crowd was
stopped by y .glittering revolver in the
hands of Police Captain Cormack. who
asked what they wanted.
I'VE want that nigger," was the reply.
"and we will get him. Get out of tho
way
IF you take step this way viii kill
you,' said the Captain, and his nerve had
due effect. The crowd retreated.
Then sledges were brought and the east
door assailed. This was built of strong
steel lattice, and once inside four similar
doors must be broken through. Nothing
daunted, they attacked the door with
sledges, but it was hopeless task. The
crowd soon rushed down to the power
house OF the cable road and dragged up
heavy steel rails, while others cut ali the
telephone wires
Then Ex-Governor Boyd appeared,
pushed his way through the crowd to the
door, and shouted 'It will be a dis
grace to Omaha, and l implore you to be
quiet and desist from your unlawful
efforts. Let the law take its due course"
Ills words were cut off by a man who
shouted: YOU'RE not Governor here.
Get out. Go attend to your opera house,"
and smash went the steel rail against tho
steel door. In five minutes the door was
open and the second one assailed.
During this time Omaha's police force
OF ninety men was gathered, but con-
centratlon was impossible. The officers
were lost in the crowd. Some one sug-
gested that the fire department be called
ont and hose turned on. But il was not
the kind of mob that melts. The tiremen
came and laid the hose whereupon the
crowd carried the hose up and drove the
tiremen away. They were after the
niger
1t did not take the crowd long after the
second door was passed to effect an en-
trance to the huge steel cage in which the
cells were located. There, wrapped in a
blanket, was the trembling colored
wretch for whom the lynchers sought. A
howl of wild eXultation was sent up by
the leaders, who called for tools to cut
into the cage. Yell after yell of triumph
went up from the outside, and soon
sledgeS and cold chisels were in the
hands of those nearest the cage.
In the meantime the police. under
Chief Seayy, undertook to mass at the
Jail entrance. The crowd surged up,
picked up the police and carried them to
the edge of the yard. There they stayed
Then the work went on.
Inside the cage the negro begged and
pleaded. He insisted that he was charged
with burglary. ID you, we will burg
larry you" came the response. He prayed
ror. His shrieks for mercy We're answered
with blows that brought his executioners
nearer
At this time the door was open. Then
with one last yell of terror the negro was
seized by the hands of the men eager for
his blood and thrust through the corri-
dor. Here men to identify him were
called for. 1t was determined to make
no mistake. So on pressed those who
knew him, and his doom was sealed. Coo
got thousand curses, and blow for ev-
cry curse.
There is driveway fifty yards long
leading from the jail to the intersection
of Seventeenth and Harvey Streets. This
is paved with rough granite, and over it
the unfortunate wretch was dragged by
his captors. Since he reached the door
he had not spoke word, and in all
probability was unconscious, if not dead,
by the time the street was reached. A
rope was thrown over trolly wire of the
electric car line, and in minute, high in
the air, there was swung the lifeless from
of the colored fiend.