The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-02-17
THELYNCHING
Of the Negro, Smith, at Paris,
Tex, Recalled.
The Horrible Story of a Minister Re-
garding the Affair.
A Biood-Curdling Narrative of His Own
Heroism - Graphic Description of a
Much-to-&Se Depiored Deed by an
Eye Witness, Rev. }. T.. King.

NEW YORK, Feb. 15.-Rev. ]. p King,
of Texas. whose report of the lynching
of the Negro. Smith, at Paris, Tex,
brought about the formation of the
Anti-Lynching league, at the Union
Colored Methodist church, in West
Thirty-second street, barely escaped
death himself, in his efforts to save the
prisoner. He has come north to start a
crusade against Negro lynching.
To reporter Rev. King said in re-
gard to the lynching of Smith: Il was
ridden out of Paris on a rail, because
was the only man in Lamar county to
raise my voice against the lynching of
Smith. l opposed the Illegal measure
before the arrival of Henry Smith, as
prisoner, and | was warned that |
might meet his fate if l was not care
full, but the sense of justice made me
bold. and when saw the poor wretch
trembling with fear, and got so near
him that l could hear his teeth chatter,
l determined to stand by him to the
last.
Il hated him for his crime, but two
crimes do not make a virtue, and in the
brief conversation | had with Smith
was more firmly convinced than ever
that he was irresponsible.
For days before the murder of the
little Vance girl Smith was out of his
head and dangerous. He had just I'M
dergone an attack of delirium tremens,
and was in no condition to be allowed
at large. He realized his condition. for
/ spoke with him not three weeks ago,
and in answer to my exhortations he
promised to reform. The next time l
saw him was on the day of his execu-
tion.
"'Drink did it. drink did it he
sobbed. Then bowling his face in his
hands he asked. Is it true, did l kill
her? Oh, my God, my Godt For mo-
ment he seemed to forget the awful
fate that awaited him, and his body
swayed to and fro with grief. Some
one seized me by the shoulder and
hurled me back and Smith fell writhing
to the ground in terror as four men
seized his arms to drag him to the float,
on which he was to be exhibited before
he was finally burned at the stake.
81 followed the procession and wept
aloud as / saw little children of my own
race follow the unfortunate man and
taunt him with jeers. Even at the
stake children of both sexes and colors
gathered ia groups, and when the
father of the murdered child raised the
kissing iron with which he was about
to torture the helpless victim, the chill
dren became as frantic as the grown
people, and struggled forward to obtain
places of advantage.
'It was terrible. One little tot,
scarcely older than little Myrtle Vance,
clapped her baby hands as her father
held her ON his shoulders above the
heads of the people.
"'For Gods sake 1 shouted, send
the children home
Ono, no. shouted a hundred mad
dened voices, let them learn a lesson
81 love children, but as | looked about
the little faces, distorted with passion,
and the bloodshot eyes of the cruel
parents who held them high in their
arms l thanked God that I have none
of my own.
GAS the hot iron sank deep into poor
Henry's flesh, hideous yell rent the
air, and, with sound as terrible as
the cry of lost soul on the Judgment
day, 20, 600 maddened people took up
the victims cry of agony, and a pro-
longed howl of maddened glee rent
the air
mo one was himself now. Every
man, woman and child in that awful
crowd was worked up to a greater
frenzy than that which actuated
Smiths horrible crime. The people
were capable of any new atrocty now,
and as Smiths yclls became more and
more frequent it was difficult to hold
the crowd back, so anxious We're the
savages to participate in the sickening
fortunes.
Suddenly Smith, forgetful of his
agony, called with all his might, God
forgive them and me-.
For an instant hush spread over
the people. ] could stand no more. and
with a superhuman effort. dashed
through the compact mass of humanity
and stood at the foot of the burning
scaffold.
's'In the name of God. cried, I
command you to cease this torture
The heavy butt of Winccster rifle
descended on my head, and fell to the
ground. Rough hands seized me, and
angry men bore me away, and L was
thankful.
Sat the outskirts of the crowd I was
attacked again, and then several men,
no doubt glad to get away from the
fearful place, escorted me to my home,
where l was allowed to take small
amount of clothing. A jeering crowd
gathered without, and when ] appeared
at the door, ready hands seized me and
l was placed on a rail, and with curses
and oaths taken to the railway station
and placed on a train AS the train
moved out, some one thrust a roll of
bills in my hand and said: God bless
Won, but it was no use"
The Annexation Question.
WASHINGTON, Feb. lit is possible
the president will send a message to
congress on the Hawaiian question on