Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-15
CRAZED FOR BLOOD.
An Execution at Omaha Followed by
q Particularly Brutal
Lynching.
Governor Boyd Insulted in an At
tempt to Quell the
Riot.
The Victim of Popular Rage a Negro
Charged With Criminal
ASsault.I


by the execution OF Murderer New, was
aroused to hi CHER pitch when the report
became current that little Lizzie Yates,
the 5.year- victim of a lustful assault
by Joe Coe, adisreputable egro, had died
well lynch 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 hurryiug along the
streets toward the county jail, and in
remarkably short time that building was
surrounded. There was no organic alton
apparent; no leader seemed to control the
crowd. Yells filled the air, hundreds
shouting at once what to do. The mob
stood irresolate, and in the meanwhile
few policemen and a force of deputy
sheriffs was concentrated. A rush was
then made for the South street door Of the
Jail, but the crowd was stopped by gilt
tering revolver in the hands of Police
Captain Cormack who asked what they
wanted. 1--WE want that niger" was
the reply, land we will get him. Get out
of the way"
IF you take step this way I'll kill you,
said the captain, and his nerve had the
due effect. The crowd retreated. The
sledges were brought and the east door as
sailed. This was built of strong steel lat
tice and once inside four similar doors
must be broken through. Nothing daunt-
ed, they attacked the door with sledges but
it was a hopeless task. The crowd soon
rushed down into the power house and
dragged up heavy steel rails, while others
cut all the telephone wires. Then ex-
Governor Boyd appeared, pushed his way
through the door and shouted: cit will
be disgrace to Omaha and l implore
you to be quiet and desist from
your unlawful efforts. Let the law
take its course" His words were cut off
oy a man who shouted: "You are not
governor here. Get out; go attend
your opera house, and smash went the
steel rail against the 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
concentrate was impossible. The
officers were lost in the crowd. Some
one suggested that the fire department be
called out and the hose turned on, but it
was not the kind of mob that melts.
Firemen came and laid the hose. where
upon the crowd carried the hose up and
drove The firemen away. They were after
the ''nigger."
1t did not take the crowd long after the
second door was passed to effect an en-
trance to tne huge steel cage in which the
cells were located There, wrapped in a
blanket, covered the trembling wretch
for whom the lynchers sought. A howl of
wild exultation was sent up by tho leaders,
who called for tools to cut into the
cage. Yell after yell of triumph went up
from outside and soon sledges and cold
chisels were In the hands Of those nearest
the cage. In the meantime the police I'M
der Chief Seavy, 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 sta. ed. Then the work went on. In
side the cage the negro begged and
pleaded. He insisted that he was charged
with burglary. Cd you, we will
burglary you, came the re-
Spouse. He prayed and cried
and rolled on the floor in terror.
His shrieks for mercy were answered
with blows that brought his executioners
nearer. At this time the door was open.
Then, with one last yell Of terror the ne
gro was seized by the hands of
men eager to shed his blood and
thrust through the corridor. Here men
to identity him were called for. 1t
was determined to make no mistake. So
on pressed those who knew him and his
doom was sealed.
Coe got a thousand curses and a blow
for every curse. There is a driveway
fifty yards long leaning from the Jail to
Seventeenth and Harvey streets paved with
rough granite and over it the unfortunate
wretch was drag ed by his captors. Since
he reached the door he had not spoken a
word and in all probability was
unconscious if not dead by the
time the street was reached. A rope was
thrown over the trolley wire of the cleo.
tric Car line and in minute high in air
swung the lifpless form