The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1893-02-17
THE LYNCHING
OF the Negro, Smith, at Paris,
Tex, Recalled.
The Horrible Story Of a Minister Re
garding the Affair.


Much-to-Be DepIored Deed by an
Eye Witness. Rev. }. =. King.
New YORK, Feb l4.-Rev. j. T. King,
of Texas, whose report Of the lynching
of the Negro. Smith, at Paris, Tex,
brought about the formation of the
Anticipating league, at the Union
co,c--t Scthoai-- church, In West
Thirty-second street. barely escaped
.Aeath himself, in his efforts to save tho
siscncf. - mas come norm to'start .
crusade against Negro lynching.
To reporter Rev King said. in re-
gard TO the lynching of Smith: 81 was
ridden out Of Paris on rail, because !
was the only man in Lamar county TO
raise my voice against the lynching OF
Smith. opposed the illegal measure
before the arrival of Henry Smith, as a
prisoner, and | was warned that ]
might meet his fate II | 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 could hear his teeth chatter,
] determined TO stand by him TO the
last
~ hated him for his crime, but two
crimes do not make 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 wa. out OF his
head, and dangerous He had Just un-
dergone an attack of delirium IRENE ms,
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 ]
saw him was on the day Of his execu.
ton.
Drink did IL, drink did it. he
sobbed. Then bowling his face in his
hands he asked: Is il true, did l kill
her? oh, my God, my Godr For a 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 end Smith fell writhing
TO the ground in terror as four men
seized ais arms to drag him to the float,
on :, Inch lac was 10 ve exhibited before
he was finally burned at the stake.
~ followed the procession and wept
aloud rs 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 in groups, and when the
father of the murdered child raised the
kissing iron with which he was about
! TO rurture the helpless victim, the chill
dren became ms frantic as the grown
people, and struggled forward TO obtain
places of advantage.
1T 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 ! shouted, send
the children home
"'No, no. shouted a hundred mad
dened voices, let them learn a lesson
/ II 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. thanked God that ! have none
OF my own.
AS the hot iron sank deep into poor
Henry's flesh, n hideous yell rent the
air, and. with a sound as terrible as
the cry OF lost soul on the Judgment
day, 10000 maddened people took up
the victims cry of agony, and a pro-
louged howl of maddened glee rent
the air.
mo one was himself now. Every
man, woman nnd child in that awful
crowd was worked mp TO a greater
frenzy than that which actuated
| Smiths horrible crime. The people
we're capable of any new atrocity now,
and as smiths yells became more and
more frequent it was diff cult TO hold
the crowd back, so anxious were the
savages TO participate in the sicliening
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 superhuman effort, dashed
through the compact mass of humanity
and stood at the foot of the burning
scaffold.
"'In the name of God cried, 4
command you to cease this torture
The heavy butt of Wincester rife
. descended on my head, and fell to the
ground. Rough hands seized me, and
Apngry men bore me away, and I was
thankful
"At the outskirts Of the crowd was
| attacked again. and then several men,
no doubt glad to get away from the
fearful place, escorted me to my home,
| where | was allowed 10 take a small
amount of clothing A jeering CROWD
gathered without, and when ! appeared
at the door. ready hands seized me ant
was placed on rail, and with curses
and oaths taken TO the railway station
and placed on a train. As the trair
moved out, some one thrust a roll o
bills in my hand and said: God bles
| you, but II was no use"
Il