The herald., 1893-02-02
BURNED AT THE STAKE,
An Awful Lynching Affair at
Paris, Tex.
Fearful Vengeance Wreaked on
a ColOred Fiend.
Tortured With Redhot Irons for
Fifty Minutes.
Then Saturated with Kerosene and Set
on Fire-A Black Brute's DiaboI-
ical Crime and It's Ter
rible Expiation.


PARIS, Tex, Feb. 1.-Henry Smith,
the negro ravisher OF 4year-old Myrtle
Vance, has expiated in part his awful
crime by death at the stake. Ever
since the perpertration of his hineous
offense this city and the entire sur
rounding country has been in wild
frenzy OF excitement. When the news
came last night that he was captured at
Hope, Ark, and identified, the city was
wild with joy over the apprehension of
the brute. Hundreds of people poured
into the city from the surrounding
country, and word passed from lip to lip
that the punishment of the fiend should
oe death by fire. The whisky shops
were closed, unruly mobs were dis
persed, the schools dismissed by a
proclamation from the mayor and
everything
DONE IN A BUsINEssLIKE MANNER.
The law was laid aside and citizens
took into their own hands the inhuman
beast and burned him at the stake.
Never before since the days of the
Spanish inquisition has there been such
terrible punishment meeted out to any
man.
THE HISTORY OF THE CRIME.
Thursday last Smith picked up little
Myrtle Vance, aged 80 years, near her
father, Policeman Henry Vance's, resi-
dence and, carrying her to pasture near
the outskirts of the city, first viciously
assaulted the innocent babe, and after
90 fuIr GAr -
little limb in each hand and literally
tore her in twain. Then, covering the
body with leaves and brush, lay down
and through the night calmly
SLEPT BY THE SIDE OF HIS VICTIM.
Friday morning Smith went to the
mouse OF his wife and forced her to cook
MIN breakfast. After eating it he left
Town. The child's remains were found
Friday afternoon, and when the news
OF the atrocious crime spread the whole
town turned out in the chase. The rail-
roads put up bulletins Offering free
transportation to all who would Join in
tae search. Posses went out in every
direction and not stone was left un-
turned. Smith was tracked to Detroit
on foot, where he jumped freight train
and left for his old home in Arkansas.
Yesterday he was captured near Hope,
ARK, and was fully identified. This
morning he was brought through Texar-
Kama where 5000 people awaited the
traln anxious to see the man who should
receive
THE FATE OF ED COY.
at that place speeches were made by
prominent Paris citizens, who asked
that the prisoner be not molested by the
Texarkana people, but that the guard
be allowed to deliver him up to the out
ragged and indignant citizens of Paris
Along the road the train gathered
strength from various towns, people
crowding upon tho platforms and tops
OF the coaches to see the lvnching oi
the negro who was go soon to be deliv-
cred to the infuriated mob. Arriving
here at II O'Clock the train was met by
surging macs of humanity, 10000
strong. The negro was placed upon a
carnival float,
IN MoCKERY OF KING
upon his throne, and, followed by an
immense crowd, was escorted through
the city 30 all might see the inhuman
monster. When the. procession had
marched through the principal streets it
halted in the open prairie, about 300
yards from the Texas and Pacific depot
Hare Smith was placed upon scaffold
feet square and 10 feet high, securely
bound, within view of all beholders.
Here he was
TORTURED FOR FIFTY MINUTES
by red-hot iron brands thrust Dagainst
his quiverng body. Commencing at
his feet the brands were placed against
him inch by inch until they were thrust
against his lace Words to describe the
awful torture inflicted upon Smith can
not be found. The story appalls one
with it's
FEARFUL, AWFUL TERROR.
The negro for long time after start
ing on the journey to Paris did not
realize his plight. At last, v hen he was
told that he must die the most awfu
death by slow torture that human mind
could conceive, he begged for protection
He was willing to be shot and begged
Marshal Shanklin of Paris to do it, but
was told he was to be burned to death.
HIS AGONY WAS AWFUL.
He writhed and appealed in mental
and bodily pain in antlc patton. Scarcely
had the train reached Paris than the
torture commenced. His clothes were
torn off piecemeal and scattered in the
crowd, the people catching the shreds
and putting them away as mementoes.
The child's father, her brother and two
unces then gathered about the negro as
be was fastened to the torture plat
orm and
THRUST HOT IRONS INTO HIS FLESH.
1t was horrible. This man was dying
oy slow torture in the midst of the
'moke from his own burning flesh.
Every groan from the wretch, every con
iortion of his body was cheered BY the
crowd of 10000 people.
The macs OF spectators was 800 yards in
diameter, the scaffold being in the cen
er. After burning his feet and legs,
lot irons were rolled up and down
smiths stomach, back and arms, Then