The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-11-22
JUDGE LYNCH AGAIN.
DUNCAN M'PHATTER PUT TO DEATH
By 4 MOB
For Killing Officer of the Law Who
was Reading a Warrant OF Arrest to
Him-Duncan Caused a Row.

Charlotte, N. c., November 1S.-(Spe-
cial)-Last Tuesday Deputy Sheriff
Melvin Livingston, of Richmond
county, accompanied by Mr.. Nc
Grit. left I4aurenburg, armed with
warrants for the arrest OF
Duncan and Arch McPhatter, two ne
gro men charged with raising a disturb
ance and fighting at the polls on election
day. for the purpose Of having the vote
of n certain precinct in Spring Hill town.
shin thrown out when the returns were
made. This scheme was concocted by
third party leader, by the name of Cooley,
and it is said be prevailed on those two
NEGROES to Go the dirty work.
When Livingston and McGrit reached
Nrcphatter's house, Duncan Mclhatter
apneared at his door with a gun III his
hand. McGrit covered the negro with
nistol and Livingston proceeded to read
the warrant While Livingston was read
ing the paper, Mr. McGlit saw Arch Nc
Platter draw Winchester rifle and point
It at Liyingston's head. McGriC turned
TO shoot Arch Mcphatter and as he did
so. Duncan McPhatter struck Livingston
with the butt of his gun and knocked
him senseless to the ground
Arch McPhatter turned to where Lily
lncston lay and pointing the barrel Of
the gun at Liyingston's neck, fired. The
ball took effect i'll LivingSton'S neck and
death quickly followed.
Both OF the negroes then opened fire
upon McGrit, but without effect MI
McGrit ran TO his buggy, after emptying
his pistol. to get q gun. Whcreup0n the
negroes ran and made their escape.
AS soon as the news of tie tragedy
reached Laurenburg, Sheriff Smith, OF
Richmond county, with Il posse Of fifteen
men, started in pursuit of the murderers
They went to McPhattcrs house and
surrounded the cabin. AS they did SO
Duncan Mcphatter jumped through
window and ran. About thirty shots
were fired at him but he escaped unhurt
into q swamp near by.
At night the same posse went to Arch
NcPhatters house and found him con-
cpaled in a bed. When the negro rose
from the bed he began firing and Sprang
through the door. 1t is thought that Arch
Ncphatter was shot twice, but he made
good his escape.
Richmond county has been in an intense
state of excitement since the murder, and
ND to yesterday at noon all trace OF
the men was lost sight of. The posse,
however. did not give up but kept roam
iDr through the woods and swamp IN
pursuit Of them.
.,a.iure Of Isl9ncan.
About o'clock yesterday afternoon, when
they had all become tired and worn out,
q shot was heard to ring out III a swamp
that was surrounded by the men III pursuit
and a voice was heard to say: Don't
shoot, l will give up. Come and take me-.
The band of men ut once went to the spot
and found Duncan McPhatten lying on the
ground, wounded in the leg and arm The
negro was taken at once to IaurenburS
and placed in the lookup and guard OF forty
armed men surrounded the calaboose. At
12:45 O'Clock this morning quiet deter
mined crowd of at least two hundred men
boarded Captain W. j. Halls train at Lau-
renburg with the inteutiOn of carrying the
prisoner to Rockingham 10 be jailed. Cap
tain Hall says that there was not drunken
man in the crowd: that all was q'iet, and
the ladies in the car did not know the mob
was On board.
Hanged to Limb.
When the train reached Laurel Hill, the
leader said that he thought it best to make
quick work of the murderer and suggested
that they stop at Laurel Hill and swing
him to limb. The suggestion was received
with general satisfaction and the crowd got
off Of the train to accomplish their work
They proceeded only a few hundred yards
from the station, rope was procured and
IN twenty minutes alter the tram had pro-
ceeded on its western journey Duncan Nc
Ihatten was pleading with God to rescue
his sinful soul.
He acknowledged the crime and said that
tie leaders of the third party were the
cause of the murder and that they should
be punished.
After he had finished his talk he was
placed on a horse. The lash was applied to
the animal and it jumped, leaving the ne
gro's body dangled at the end of the
rope.
Loaded With Lead.
The crowd loaded their guns, stepped off
short distance and as the command fire"
was given 200 bullets pierced the negro's
body.