The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-02

PARIS. Tex, Feb. L-Henry Smith, the negro
ravisher of 4-year-oli Myrtle Vance, has ex.
plated in part his awful crime be death at the
stake Ever since the perpetrariosl OF his awful
crime the people of this city AID entire sur
rounding country have been i'll Wild frenzy OF
excitement The news came lase night that he
had been captured at Hope. Ark, and identified.
Inc people were wild with JOY. at the appre-
henslon OF the brute. Hundreds of people
poured into the city from the gdjes ming country
today, ana the word was passed rom iip to lip
that the punishment OF the iend should be
death by fire.
Tho whisky shops were closed. unruly mobs
were dispersed, the schools d <mssed by a
proclamation from the mayor ard everything
done In business-lihe manner The law was
laid aside and the citizens took Fnto their own
hands the inhuman beast and tsirned him at
the stake. Never before since tl.s days of the
spanish inquisition has there beeis such terrible
punishment dealt out to any man
On Thursday last Smith picsed I'D little
Myrtle Vance, aged So years, near the residence
OF her father, Policeman Henry Vance, and
carrying her to pasture near the outskirts of
the city. at first viciousiy assaulged the inno-
cent child, and, after satisfying his fendish
passion. took one little limb in each hand and
literally tore her in twain. AMI then, covering
the body with leaves and brush, sle lay down
and slept calmly through the nigat by the side
OF his victim.
On Friday morning Smith went 10 the house
OF his wife aud forced her to cooE him break.
fast. After eating it he left town. The child's
remains were found Friday AFTERNOON, and when
news OF tn. atrocous crime spread the whole
town turned out in chase The railroads hung
up bulletins offering free transportion to all
who would join in the search. Posses went out
in every direction and not a stone was left un-
turned Smith was traced to Detroit on foot
where he jumped freight train AMI left for his
Old home in Arkansas. Yesterday ne was capt.
ured near Hope. Ark, and was fuzzy identified
This morning he was brought tn cough Texar-
kama where 5000 people awaited the train,
ANXIOUS to see the man who shout: receive the
late OF Ed Cory. At the depot speeches were
made by prominent Paris citisena, who asked
that the prisoner be not molested b. Texarkana
people, but the guard be allowed to deliver him
up to the outraged citizens of Paris, Along the
road the train gathered strong delegations from
various towns. the people crowding upon the
platforms and tops of the coachea, anxious to
see the lynching and the negro who was soon to
be delivered up. to the infurated ylob. Arriv-
ing here at II O'CLOCK the train was met By q
surging mass OF humanity, 10000 ssrong.
The negro was placed upon a casnival float,
in moekery of king upon throae. and. fol-
through the city, SO all might see the inhumau
monster.
When the procession had marched through
the principal streets it halted or the open
rraire about so yards from the Texas Pacific
depot Here Smith was placed on n scaffod six
!eet square aud ten feet high afad securely
bound within view of all beholders
Here he was tortured for fifty minutes BY red
hot iron brands thrust against his quiveriny
Commencing ia hya p1s
were placed against him inch by incsl until they
were thrust against his face. Thea kerosene
was poured upon him and cottoa seed hulls
placed beneath him and set on fire.
Words to describe the awful torture inflicted
upon Smith cannot be found. The story ap-
pals one with its fearful, awful terror. The
negro for long time after starting on the jour-
ney to Paris did not realize his pligh;.
At last, when he was told he must die the
most awful death by slow torture that the
human mind could conceive, he begged Tor pro-
lection. He was willing to be shot, and wanted
Marshal Franklin, OF Paris. to do IT, but was
told he was to be burned to death.
His agony was awful. He wFithed and
pleaded in mental aud bodily pain Ia anticipa-
ton.
Scarcely had the train reached Pass than the
torture commenced. His clothes were torn Off
piecemeal and scattered in the crowd, people
catching the shreds and putting thsm away as
mementoes.
The chiid's father, her brother and 1wo uncles
then gatherei about the negro tse was fast
ened to the platform and thrust hog irons into
his Quirering flesh. 1t horrible. this man
dying by slow torture in the midst OF smoke
from his own burning flesh.
Every groan from the wretch, every contor.
ton OF his body was cheered by a thitsiy packed
crowd of 1900 people The mass OF human be-
ings was GO yards in diameter, t5e scaffold
being III the center.
After burning his feet and legs hot irons
were rolled up and down Smiths stor7 ach, back
ami arms. Then the eyes were burned out, and
irons thrust down his throat.
The men OF the Vance family having wreaked
verg .ancc, the crowd piled all kincEa of COM
busube stuff around the sea fold, poared Oil on
il and Sc; it afre. The negro rolled snd wrig-
e.ed and tossed out of the mass. snly to be
pushed back by the people nearest hif.i.
He passed out aga Il, and was ropcd snd pulled
back Hundreds OF people turned away, but
the majority OF the vast crowd looked salmly on.
In ICES time than IL takes to relate II the tor
turcd man was burned 10 n crisp, anCE in a little
while thereafter nothing was left OF the whole
funeral pile but pieces OF charcoal. which be-
fore night.all were carried away By curiosity
seeker.
People were here from ever part of this sec
ton Every train thai came in Was zoaded %
its utmost capacity, and there were deyaands a.
many points for special trains TO bricg people
here to see the unparalleled punishme.lt of the
fend for his crime, and the news OF Ele burn
ing went over the country Ike wi.dfre. AT
every country town anyiis doomed 'ot.h the an
nouucemenL
lti stated that Smiths motive for che crime
was that once when drunk and diss,FdeIiy he
was arrested by Policeman Vance, WHO was
compelled 10 Use club on him. Fog this tie
negro swoce vengeance aud seyera! times as
sau.ted Vance. The climax OF his ie-atishness
came Thursday, when he committed zhe awful
crime ior which he paid The last penalEy. Vance
is prosiratei with grief, and his wEa lies at
deaths door from nervous prostratiOn
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 1.-The Tunes f5eglo crot'
Austin special says: Gov. H0gs telegsapaed TO
.ne oftic ais at Lamar - protect the negro Henry
smith, from mob violence, and after hsaring of
smiths fate he wired them 10 take tl.s names
OF tie parties principally concerned in the
affair for prosecution.