The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-02-26
A COON GETS ROASTED.
The Fearful Fate of a Negro
Who Perpeirated an Out
rageOus Crime.
He Is Bound to a Stake, Satur.
i ated with Oil and Burned
to a Crisp.
The Victim of His Fiendish Deed
Lights the Fire That Sends Him
to Perdition.

ST. Louis, Feb. pa special to The
Republic from Texarkana, Ark, says;
Ed Coy, the negro brute who on last
Saturday committed fiendish assault
on Mrs. Henry Jewell, a respectable
farmers wife with fve-months-old
child at the breast, at her home three
miles southeast of this city, this after
noon answered for his awful crime by 6
horrible death by fire. In the presence
of 5000 people he was burned at the
stake.
When Mr.. Jewell left home Saturday
last, after dinner, to come to town fol
the transaction of some necessary bust
ness, he left his young wife with hel
cooling babe in her arms in the best o.
health and spirits, not dreamin wher
he kissed her goodbye of the terrible
fate that awaited her during his alb
sence. Shortly after the husbands de-
parture negro appeared at the door
and asked the whereabouts Of Mr.. jew
ell, and the unsuspecting woman in.
formed him that he had gone to town.
The negro gave his name as Davis, and
said that he had some hogs to sell tc
Mr.. Jewell A considerable converse
ton was held between them, and the
woman thus had good opportunity
while not under excitement to note the
general personal appearance of the ne
gro. After the negro had gone Mrs.
Jewell concluded to visit neighbor
half mile distant, and went out to
lock the door, when the negro, who
was in hiding, sprang from his place Of
concealment,
Seized Her by the Throat,
and, after a desperate struggle, sue
ceeded in accomplishing his diabolical
purpose. He then dragged the fainting
woman into barn, where he kept her
for an hour. Finally yielding to her
pleadings, he left her and disappeared
in the woods.
When the husband returned home he
lost no time in giving the alarm and in
a short time scores of men were scour
ing the country in all directions, and
during the night two negroes answer
ing the general description given by
Mrs. Jewell were jailed here, but when
taken before her she pronounced them
both innocent, and they were discharged.
Saturday morning message came to
town from w. B. Scott, a farmer, living
five miles from town, saying that Coy
was at the house of Ed. Givens, ne
gro living near him, and asking men to
come out and arrest him.
An armed posse went Immediately to
the place and escorted the prisoner to
town, arriving here about 8 o'clock.
Coy was Immediately placed under
a heavy escort and taken before his vic
tim, who unhesitatingly pronounced
him the man. 1t was resolved that no
action should be taken until all the par
ties who were out should return. The
last of these came in at about Q o'clock,
when a consultation was held in the
room by the leaders, who decided on
hanging as the punishment. Coy was
accordingly led out and march to the
place of execution. Arriving there,
some one threw rope, but the 5000
people present set up shout
"Burn Him, Burn Hint"
and it was clearly to be seen that death
by fire alone would appease the wrath
| of the surging multitude. The route to
| the suburbs was then taken, and when
| just over the Iron Mountain railway
track, in front of low, level opening, a
halt was made. A single stump, about
ten feet high, seasoned and strong,
stood alone in the center of the spot and
thither the wretched negro was
dragged. Without more ado the negro
was then made secure to the stump
with iron fastenings, and kerosene was
poured literally over him. A shout
went up ''Let his victim apply the
MATCH" "Let Mrs. Jewell set the fire.
In response to the call Mrs. Jewell
emerged from the crowd, and her APP
pearance was greeted with cheers which
almost shook the ground. The crowd
fell back at her approach, making a
pathway for her. Leaning upon the
arm of male relative on either side
Mrs. Jewell walked unhesitatingly for
ward to where the negro stood pinioned
struck parlor match with her own
hand and with perfect elaboration
Fired the Negroes Clothes
in two places. In a second the poor
wretch was one mass of consuming
flames, but even in death his wonderful
nerve, exhibited ever since his capture
never forsook him, and while suffering
the tortures of fire he actually called tt
the men Of the assembly, and in cleal
voice requested them: "Move back, Sc
the ladies can see." He referred to the
negro women, large number of whom
witnessed the execution. Coy made
but little noise pending his horrible
death in the flames, except to groan ani
gruut, and died in about twen4y min
utes after the application of the torch
The negro said he believed that he was
going 20 be put to death, but was limo
cent of the crime. His denial was
however, given IN such manner al
carried conviction of guilt with it.
Quite anumber of persons favored hang.
ing, but these were in hopeless minor.
| ity, and were easily ridden down by
those whose desire it was to strike ter.
Tor to the hearts of negroes by making