Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-10-12
ALL READY TO BURN HIM.


SAVANNAH. oct. 9-For 10 minutes last
night it looked as though there would he
lynching at the Central railroad station in
this city.
Saturday night March Walker. Il negro,
assaulted deaf and dumb white girl, aged
10. named Young. The assault was com
mittcd at the girls home in the heart of the
city and only a block from police hcadquar
tiers. The crime was discovered soon, but
it was several hours before it was
reported to the police. The whole detec
tive force was put on search for the negro,
hut without success. Yesterday the police
received word that negro who, it was be
lieved. was the guilty man. had been cap
tured at Bloomingdalc, 90 miles from here.
and would he brought to the city ON the
evening train, The news got ont in some
way, and at once plan was made to take
him from the police, drag him out of the
city and burn him alive. The leaders in the
movement made their arrangements very
secretly and the authorities had no l;nowl
edge that mob was gathering.
Shortly before s o'clock men began to
gather at the central station in crowds, and
in a few minutes mob of about one thous-
and armed men We're III possession of the
depot Some had shotguns, but the ma
.iorty simply carried pistols. The chief of
police knew nothing of this. but fearing that
there might be violence sent squad of II
men to the station to meet the two detect
ives who had gone after the negro
The police We're unable to force their way
to the track. The sergeant held them to-
| gether with their hands on their pistols
ready for a charge. When the train en-
tered the station the mob surrounded it. As
the detectives stepped off. a score of pistols
were thrust into their faces. There was wild
excitement The squad of police drew
their revolvers and passed through the
crowd to the assistance of the detectives
The detectives drew their pistols.
Where is he yelled the crowd way
ing their weapons wildly.
He was the wrong man and we turned
him loose. = called out one of the detectives.
There was howl of dcrsion. All that was
needed was the discharge of single pistol
to have precipitated riot. The mob was
furious, but ii was true that the detectives
had put the negro oil the train outside the
city. He was the wrong man The cars
were searched. but no negro coulG he found.
The detectives made their wa, to the
police and the squad hurried back to head
quarters TO be ready there for any emer-
geucy. \ large part of the crowd hurried
to the county Jail, thinking the negro might
have been taken there. Here again they
We're disappointed. After being satisfied
that the officers had told the truth. the mol
slowly dispersed. Extra guards were pro
vided al the jail in case Of repetition OF
the trouble The negro who was arrestcc
really was innocent. On the way to the
city he was identified and let go. Had h'
reached the city he would have been lynched
despite any proteStation of innocence. A
quiet search is being made by members o
the mob for the real culprit who is nov
thought to be hiding,,in the city. The feel
ing against the negro is 50 strong thai hi
death will DE quick and horrible if he fall
into other hands than the police.