Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-22
BURNED AT THE STAKE
The Horrible Death of n Negro Criminal In
Arkansas

The Horrible Death of n Negro Criminal In
Arkansas.
A special dispatch to the st. Louis Republican
from Texarkana, Ark, says: Edward Coy. col
ored. who on last Saturday assaulted Mrs.
Henry Jewell, respectable farmers wife, with
ive-months- old child at: the breast, at her
home, three miles southeast of Texarkana, was
burned to death at the stake on Saturday after
noon in the presence Of 5000 persona When
Mr.. Jewell left home on Saturday last, after
dinner. to come to town for the transaction Of
| some necessary business he left his young wife,
with her cooling babe in her arms. in the best
of health and spirits. Sh ortly after the hus-
bands departure a negro appeared at the door
and asked the whereabouts of Air. Jewell and
the unsuspecting woman informed him
that he had gone to town. The negro
gave his name az Davis aud said that he had
some hogs to sell to MIR. Jewell. A considerable
conversation was held between them and the
woman thus had good opportunity. while not
under excitement, to note the general personal
appearance of the negro. After the negro had
gone Mrs. Jewell concluded to visit u neigbbor,
half q mile distant. and went ont to lock the
door, when the negro, who had been hiding:
sprang from his place OF concealmeus. seized
her by the throat and assaulted her after q
desperate struggle. lie then dragged the faint
ing woman into the barn. where he kept her
for about an hour, assauiting her repeatedly
Finally, yielding to her pleadings, he left her
and disappeared in the woods When the
husband returned home he gave the
alarm and in short time scores OF
men were searching the country In all
directions. During the night two negroes
answering the general description given by
Mrs. Jewell were arrested. but when taken
before Mrs Jewell she pronounced them both
innocent and they were discharged. On Thurs.
day negro answering tho general description
of Coy was arrested and brought here over the
Texarkana and Fort Smith railway. Mrs.
Jewell pronounced him not the man, although
the hat and suit OF clothes he wore looked ex-
acty like those Of her assaiIant. The prisoner
explained this by saying that he and Coy had
been together on Sunday and Monday, and at
the latter request they had snapped clothes,
Coy saying that they were after him for some
minor offense.
On Thursday afternoon bloodhounds we're
teiesraphed for, and they arrived Thursday
night from Hot Springs. Friday morning the
dogs were taken out to the vicinity where the
negro was known to be, but efforts to use them
were greatly retarded by heavy rainfall on
Thursday night and Friday. On Saturday
morning Coy was arrested five miles north of
Texarkana. About fifty mounted guards at
tended the prisoner to Texarkana, arriving
about clock Coy was Immediately placed
under heavy escort and taken before his VIC
tim, who unhesitatingly pronounced him the
man. In Mrs. JEWELS presence he said to her:
''iro these the clothes the man had on?" mo,
I you are the rascal that assaulted me !" came
the instant rejoinder.
On Saturday afternoon crowd Of thousand
people secured Coy from his captors. Up
Board street they marched with him to the
Iron Mountain ronnd house. A large stake, to
which had been fastened some guy wires, was
what they wanted, and it was found here. Up
TO this they brought the cringing negro, and,
In twinkiing. he was securely bound to it.
One of the mob advanced with can of coal
oil, which had been secured from neighbor-
ing house. and the crowd then knew what fate
was in store for the negro.
where's Mrs. Jewell?" was the cry from
many throats.
"Here!' responded few voices on the edge
of the crowd.
Bring her forward" was ordered BY a man
who seemed to be master Of ceremonies.
The woman made her way through the crowd,
which willingly made way for her. and in a
minute was in front of the frightened negro.
Without a word the spokesman placed in her
hand torch.
Mrs. Jewell looked at the negro the torch ane
the spokesman and falteringly turned to thd
crowd
mo, no; apply it," was the cry as the woman
was seen to faiter.
The torch was applied instantly by the
woman, who Immediately turned and made her
way through the crowd. The flames licked up
around the negro's legs and he was soon en-
veloped all the while yelling Justify. In seven
minutes he was dead. after the most excruc at
ing agony. The good people OF Texarkanai de.
pIore the necessity OF MOP law. but the opinion
Is general that Coy has been rightly served.