The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-30
a HORRIBLE AFFAIR.
A Negro Rapist Confesses the Crime and
Is Burned to Death

fs Burned to Death.
GALVESTON, Tex, Oct. ga special
to the News from Kilgore, Tex, saws:
At point about four miles from TYLER,
Mrs. Bell, who had been visiting her
mother short distance from home, was
on her return, when she met negro
named Henry billiard, who outraged
and then murdered her.
The ground shows that she struggled
for her honor and the conditions of the
body told of cruelty that has only
been equalled by Jack, the Ripper {"
After outraging her the negro deliber-
ately cut her throat and then, taking
his knife. ripped up her body. A posse
was quickly organized and, aided by q
hound, tracked the negro to within four
miles OF this place, where they found
him asleep in cotton pen. The negro's
clothing was still covered with blood,
which no had attempted to wash off.
Soon after the officers had him hand
cuffed mob of some hundred men,
heavily armed, arrived on the scene,
and demanded the i'm % ediate surrender
OF the prisoner, which was readily
given. The mob then left for the scene
OF the murder. whore they arrived this
afternoon at o'clock.
The crowd continued to gather at. the
NSoh0 VI oh0 hOEElUlo CElu6 uuGll n6RFlY
1000 citizsns OF Tyler and vicinity we're
there. A few moments before the fend
was brought TO the place meeting was
held and committee appointed 10 in
vessiRase his identity. Witnesses were
summoned and closely Intercepted.
The result WAS thorough iden tific ation.
In few moments an officer APP
preached from over the hill, followed
by 300 determined and weli-armed men.
When near the scene the officers were
overpowered and disarmed and the
negro, Henry billiard, brought before
the committee. He made q full con-
fession in substance as follows:
III was coming down the road and saw
Mrs. Bell in the road. She wss scared
of me and l knew that IL / passed
her she would say 1 tried to rape her
and concluded that | would rapa her
and then kill her. cut her throat and
cut her in another place and left"
He wrote q note to his wife and gave
1t to the sheriff. thread as follows: II
am arrested by Wig Smith. You know
what they will do with me. If do not
see you any more, good bye"
After his confession and through
Identity, vote was taken as to the
made OF punishment
1t was unanimously agreed to burn
him, and it WAS agreed shat he should
suffer the penalty on the public square.
The line OF march was taken up towards
Tyler, and at o'clock the line entered
the main plaza where no less thsn z, 900
people were asae bled Large crowds
OF )adies and children were Assem- bled
also.
A scsffold was erected in the centre
OF the square. Wagons laden with
kindling wood, coal oil and straw we're
driven to the scene and placed in DO.
sition. The negro was then given an
opportunity to speak, but his words
were inaudible, but when he offered up
his last prayer his words could be heard
for sever al blocks. He WAS then dashed
to the coon rail that extended through
the platform.
Mr.. Bell, husband OF the murdered
lady, applied the match and the flames
shot upwards, enveloplng the brute in
sheets OF fire. He begged for mercv
and it was melted out to him Just as he
was mercifu1 to the Innocent WON IN
whose soul he had sent to Heaven at
this hour yesterday. 1t was determined
to burn him at once, but the fire was
quenched and then after few moments
was started again.
From the time the match was applied
until his death WAS exactly fifty min
utes. Hundreds of negroes Witnessed
the execution and representative me-
groes expressed their endorsement Of
the punishment. The officers were
powerless and the sheriff wired the
governor, but his message was too late.
All business houses and factories closed
and the big cotton belt shops were
deserted.