The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-10
AT MEMPHIS
THREE NEGROES TAKEN OUT AND
SHOT TO DEATH.

The Jailer Called to the Door and
Overpowered - Members of the
Masked Mob Then Rushed in and
Secured the Prisoners They Wanted.
Less Than a Hundred in the Mob.
MEMPHIS. March 9.---Three negroes were
taken from the Jail here at 3;25 O'Clock this
morning and hurried of by mob, which
was not large. There were twenty-seven
in the jail charged with an assault with in
tent to kill. for ambushing and shooting
down the four deputies who tried to arrest
a negro Saturday night at the curve for
a minor offense. There were but seventy
five in the mob, all being masked. The men
rushed in the Jail and secured Calvin
Mcdowell, Thomas Moss and Win Stuart,
the leaders Of the negro gang, and taking
them out of jail quickly disappeared with
them. Daylight disclosed the dead bodies
of the three rineleaders about quarter Of
a mile north OF the jail. The mob passed
entirely through the yards Of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio company and taking the
negroes up Wolf river, near the old water
works, shot them to death.
ROW THE MOB GOT IN.
The mob gained admission by the old
trick of two men ringing the bell and
answering the challenge by giving the name
Of we'll known officer. Hugh Williams of
White Haven, aud saying they had a pris-
oner for the jail. Watohman O'Donnell
opened the outer door and the two men
pushed in. When O'Donnell saw that they
were masked and attempted to draw pistol
they seized his arms. and Immediately others
OF the party came through
the gate. O'Donnell was bound
with rope and two men
left to watch him, the others making their
way through the Jail. The men wanted
were soon found. Nobody else was mo-
Tested. The negroes were gagged and
bound.
THE KILLING.
When they reached an open field near
Wolf river the gags were removed and for
the first time they were allowed to speak.
AS the gags were removed Moss said: "If
you are going TO kill us, turn our faces TO
the west" The words were scarcely out Of
his mouth when the firing began, and the
negroes were shot to pieces The mob turned
about as soon as it had completed its work
and at the first crossing separated and dis
appeared as quietly as it had assembled.
The bodies of the dead negroes
were brought to Wolsh's UNDER
taking establishment about 7:30 o'clock
this morning. In less than fifteen minutes the
place was surrounded by about 200 negroes.
All were afraid to talk, however, on ac-
count OF the near proximity Of the whites.
but on the edge of the crowd were heard
many mutterings aud curses. One negro
aptly expressed the feeling of majority of
his race by saying: 'If those niggers stand
this, wes doneup. suah." The inquest was
held at 10 O'Clock this morning and the
bodies were then sent TO their hoIues at the
curve At 10: Is o'clock word reached the
CITY that the negroes were assembling in
large numbers at the curve. Judge Dubois
Immediately equipped 100 men with VIM
chesters and they left for the locality.
STORY OF THE SHERIFF.
Sheriff McLendon was seen this morn>
ing in his Office He said: Yesterday aft
ernoon and again last night was cut in
the curve neighborhood, with some of my
deputies, seeing what could find out and
looking for some negroes implicated in the
trouble; did not get home till 1880
o'clock last night"
Had you heard no rumors of trouble
being expectedp asked the reporter.
mot a word. | was at the jail late last
night, but never gave a thought to any,
thing like this. 1t never entered my miud.
II it had, this thing would not have hap
pened. My oath Of Office compels me TO
protect the prisoners under my charge aud
l have always done it,"
WILL TRY TO ARREST THE LEADERS.
"Are you going to take any steps toward
arresting the rinRleaders of the mobp'
81 suppose so. Yes, of course; my oath
of office demands it. and will take a posse
out and do all l can"
The following verdict was rendered by
the coroner's jury: I'VE find that tho de-
ceased we're taken from the Shelby county
Jail by masked mob Of men, the men be-
ing overpowered and taken to an old field
and shot to death by parties unknown by the
jury"
All has been quiet at the curve to-day, all
though the city was full of alarming rumors
to the contrary.