Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-08
History of the Crin1a.

In many respects the crimes of Lee Harris and Abe Mitchell were remark able. The cruelty and ferocity displayed and the sang froid with which all their work was done are remarkable.
 Last winter and spring numerous com plalntS were reported to the police of robberes and hold ups. In the latter part of January James F. Thornton was Killed as he was returning from this city in his wagon to his home in Ensley City, where he kept a grocery store. Harris and Mitchell confessed to killing him and robbing the wagon. Thornton attempted to draw his pistol but his as- sailants were too quick for him and both the negroes fired and killed him.
 few days afterward two ladies driV- ing in buggy were held up and robbed about 20 feet from where Thornton was killed. The negroes were very polite to the ladies and did not molest them other wise than by taking their money.
 Shortly after MT. E. Y. Daniel was shot and dangerously wounded. MT. Daniel is farmer and lives near East Lake. He was present yesterday at the hanging and seemed to enjoy the hang ing fully as much as his assailants.
 MT. James Stiff was attacked by high way robbers while coming home from the Mary Lee furnace and made to give up what valuableS he had in his possession.
 MT. J. U. M. Barnes was also assaulted one Sunday night by four negroes, who demanded some whisky, MT. Barnes be- ing a North Birmingham distiller. The demand being refused the gang opened fire upon him and it was by the merest chance that MT. Barnes and his son es- capped assassination.
 In March Pleas Merriweather, a negro keeping store on the Northsde was found dead in his store being fearfully butchered up. Two men were also held up and robbed in the North Highlands about this time. These outrages, fol- lowing so closely one on the other that it was thought to be the work of one gang, but no one could obtain any clue. Finally the matter was taken up by Capt. J. B. Donelson, after all the others failed. A better man could not have been found, for if there is any one on the po- lice force who has the tenacity, shrewd ness, persistence and keennesS to ferret out and bring to light evil and evil doers, that man is Captain Donelson. Never too tired. lax or thrown off the scent, he, like the Vidog and Lecog of France, never knows such a thing as fail, and it was only few days after he began his investigation before the murderers were safe behind the bars.
 Harris and Mitchell were landed in jail on the 1st day of April, and on that same day they had made afull confession of all the crimes enumerated above. This confession was accompanied by such details that thsre could be no doubt of its authenticity. The grand jury began it's session on the following week and on the 17th of April they were brought out for trial. They were con victed on the 23d of the same month ana were hanged yesterday. This is the quickest work in the history of the state.
 Notes.
 Mrs. Tibbs a sister of Mrs. Thornton, was in the enclosure and witnessed the death struggle of the men who had wid- owed her sister.
 Sheriff Morrow had all plans and ar- arrangements carried out promptly and quickly and the consequence was that the hanging was done without the slight est delay.
 The sheriffs of Etowah and Escambia counties were present to witness the hanging and get dots for use in their own bailiWjckS