The Helena independent., 1891-10-10
A LYNCH|hG At OMAHA.
Bestial Brute Is Dragged From
Jail In the Nebraska Me-
tropolis.
The Relentless Fury Of the People
When Stirred by Abhorrent
Crime.
AL tho Peace OHicers and the Fire Departs
ment We're POwerless to Save
the Scoundrel.

OMAHA, Mob, Oct. 9.-Public sentiment,
which was wrought up highly here to-day
by the execution Of murderer Neal, was
reused to higher pitch when the report
became current that little Lizzie Yates, the
tive-year- victim of the lustful assault
by Joe Cos, q disreputabe negro, had died.
I'VE will lynch the Niger" was soon
heard on every side, and it was evil
dent the people meant what they
said. Tonight there suddenly came the
sound of great crowd of mon hurrying
along paved streets toward the county Jail,
and in a remarkably short time that build
ing was surrounded. There was no organ
ization apparent. No leader seemed to
control the crowd. Yells filled the mir,
hundred4 shouting at once what to do.
The mob stood irresolute for some
few policemen and force Of
was then made for the South street door Of
the jail. but the crowd was stopped by
glittering revolver in the hands OF Police
Captain Cornack, who asked what they
wanted. I'VE want that damned nieger,"
was the reply. "and we will get him; get
out of the way'' IF you take a step
this way will kill you" said
the captain, and his nerve had
due effect. The crowd retreated.
Then sledRes 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 bat it was hopless task. The
crowd soon rushed down to the power house
of the cable road and dragged up several
steel rails, while others cut the telephons
wires. Then ex-Gov. Boyd pushed his
way through the crowd to the door and
shouted. 1T will be disgrace to Omaha
and implore you to be quiet and desist
from your unlawful efforts Let the law
take its due COURSE" His words were cut
governor here; get out; go attend to your
| opera house." and smash went the steel ratl
against the steel door. In five minutes it
was open and the second one assailed. During
this time Omaha's police force Of ninety
mon was gathered but concentration ,E. n; wss "a
| crowd. Some one suggested that the fre
department be called out and the hose
turned on, but it was not the kind Of 9 mob
that melts. Firemen came and laid the
hose, whereupon the mob carried the hose
up and drove the fremen away. They were
after the ''niggsr."
Itdid 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 are located. There, wrapped in .
blanket, cowed the trembling 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. Yells
| 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 Seavy,
| undertook to mass at the jail entrance.
The crowd surRed up, picked up the po-
| lice 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. Damn you, We
| will burglary you," came the response.
He prayed and cried and rolled on the floor
! in terror. His shrieks for mercy were an
swered with blows that brought his execu-
| tioners nearer. by this time the door was
| open. Then with one last yell OF terror the
negro was seizsd by the hands of 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 mis-
take 80 on pressed those who knew him
and his doom was sealed.
Coe got q thousand curses and a blow for
every curse. There is a driveway fifty
yards long leading from the Jail to the in
streets. This is paved with rough granite
and over 1t the unfortunate wretch
was dragged 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 an electric car line,
and in minute high in the air there swung
the lifeless form OF the colored tiend.