The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-22

Gnu "ooiu nave CerTl6u OUT gnelr tnr6aCS
but for Rev. DR.. w. G. Campbell and
Capt. Robert B. Moorman, who made
earnest speeches to the multitude and
implored them in the name of common
humanity and decency to desist from
the terrible and outrageous undertake
ing. At last they agreed not to do SO,
and at Captain Moorman's suggestion o
wagon was called, the musilated body
of the victim was put in and was
driven of toward the river amid the
deafeniug cries of 1000 people, saying.
Take him and burn him!'
BURNED TEE NEGRo's BODY.
On, on went the 1aad mob bent on
their s!ckening' scheme towards the
Roanoke river until they reached spos
about 500yards above the narrow guage
railroad bridge, where they halted and
proposed in suitable place to enact
the deed they came there for. Several
cedar trees were cut down and piled up
making hastily improvised funeral
pyre on which was placed the dead body
of the lynched negro.
detail was sent out after oil and
light wood who soon returned
with two gallons of coal oil and several
goods boxes, which were added to the
pile, and in short time the arrange
ments were complete. At 10 O'Clock to
the minute the match was struck and
fire set to the pile OF infiammable
material which sent its lurid flames and
dense volumes Of dark smoke high
toward the heavens.
The flames roared and cracked, leap
ing high in the air, while all around
stood 1000 people, men, women, boys and
children. on foot, in buggies and car
riages and on horseback, and numbers
Of them shouting ovor the pitiful scene.
In short while all was over and all
Smith, the would-be murderer, was a
pile of white ashes and q few bits OF
bone.
Hundreds of the visitors gathered
close around the human bonfire Ind
cast in pieces of wood, determining to
add something towards the cremation.
Smiths sister, a girl Is years of age,
stood by and witnessed the terrible fate
OF her brothers. remains.
The mob dispersed, leaving in squads
and alone, most of them coming back to
town and renewing their threats against
the military, the mayor and all the city
officers. There were calls for an indig-
nation meeting to be held in the after
noon at the Academy of Music and also
at night, but the subsequent concil-
committees advised against such meet
ings.
Calls were issued for railroad mems
meetings, Masonic and Red Mems meet.
1ngs, and meeting of the employees of
the Roanoke Machine Works, to be held
at the shops later in the day.
The conservative and conciliatory
ground taken at all of these meetings
did much to allay the sanguinary spirit
which pervaded the city, and caused
mum bers of the citizens to return to
their homes.
In the absence of Mayor Trout from
the city, according to law the reins of
government fell to the hands of the
president OF the city council, R. A.
Buckner. who early Yesterday morning
issued the following proclamation:
MAYORS OFFICE,
ROANoAKE, Va, Sept. 81, 1893.
TO the Citize MS of Roanoke:
1t is with profound regret that the
deplorable circumstances of last night
existed which caused the sacrifice of in.
nocent lives and to prevent the possibil-
lty OF renewal Of violence and further
loss OF life, hereby appeal to the sober
Judgment and law-loving sentiment of
all the people Of this city and call upon
them to aid me in preserving order and
in securing thorough and searching in
vestigation of the causes which led to
those unhappy results. And 1 hereby
pledge that every effort will be made to
bring to- justice any one who may be
liable for the wrongful death OF injury of
any citizen.
1 hereby call upon all citizens to at
once return to their homes and resume
their usual occupations. The welfare
and prosperity of our city absolutely
depend upon the preservation OF peace
and good order.
R. A. BUCKNER. Acting Mayor.