The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-30
The Tyler Criminal Caught and
Horribly Punished.
THOUSANDS SEE TT.
Negro Placed Amidst Infiamma-
BILE Materials and Roasted.
Burning Was in the Public
Square at Tyler.

TYLER, Texas, Oct. 30.-Mrs. Leon.
ard Bell, the I9-year-o1d wife of
farmer living four miles from here,
was assaulted and murdered Monday
night by Henry billiard, a negro.
Mrs Bell had been visiting her
mother and about dusk started to walk
home, a distance of half a mile
Shortly afterward her mutilated body
was found quarter of mile from
her home, at the side of the public
road. There were evidences of a
terrible struggle, as the body was al
most nude. The fend, after assault
ing her, cut her throat from ear to
ear and completely disemboweled her.
A posse was quickly organized, led
by Deputy Smith of Tyler, who with
lanterns in hand and aided by a hound,
tracked the negro to within four miles
of the spot, where, at a. m, they
found him fast asleep in cotton pen.
Soon after the officers had him hand
cuffed mob of some 200 men, heavily
armed, arrived on the scene and de-
handed the immediate surrender of
the prisoner, which was reluctantly
given. The mob started for the scene
of the murder, where they arrived
esterday afternoon at o'clock. The
scene of the horrible crime until
nearly 1000 citizens of Tyler and vi
+ entity were there.
A few moments before the fend was
brought to the place. a meeting was
held and committee was appointed
to investigate his identity. Witnesses
were summoned and closely ques-
toned. The result was a thorough
Identification. In a few minutes an
officer approached from over the hill,
followed by 300 determined and we'll
armed men. When near the scene the
officers were overpowered and dis
armed, and the negro, Henry billiard,
was brought before the committee
| He made full confession, and wrote
a note to his wife as follows:
81 am arrested by Wig Smith. You
know what they will do with me. If
1 don't see you any more, good by
"HENRY."
After his confession and thorough
| Identification vote was taken as to
the mode of punishment 1t was unan-
imously agreed to burn him alive, and
that he should suffer the penalty on
| the public square. The line of march
was taken up toward Tyler and at 4
o'clock the head line entered the main
| street, where no less than 1000 people
were assem- Large crowds of
women and children were congregated
on the awnings surrounding the pub
lie plaza Wagons. carriages. tire S
and buildings ere converted I'M G
grand stands and were thronged at
4:30.
A scaffo1d was erected in the center
of the square. Wagons laden with
kindling wood, coal oil and straw We're
driven to the scene and placed in
position. The negro as then given
an opportunity to speak, but his words
We're inaudible. When he offered uE
his last prayer, however, he could be
heard for several blocks. He was then
dashed to the iron rail that extended
through the platform.
Mr.. Bell, the husband of the muir
dered lady, applied the match and the
flames shot upward, enveloping the
brute in sheet of fire. He begged
for mercy and it was melted out te
him in the measure he gave his vic
tim. It was determined to burn hin
at once. but the fire was quenchet
after the last piece of wood was
burned. In few minutes the fire
was started again. From the time the
match was applied until his death wa'
exactly fifty minutes.
The L & G.. N. train was crowded
with the people from towns north
Hundreds of negroes witnessed the ex
ecution and representative negroe:
expressed their Endorsement of the
punishment. The officers were power
less and the sheriff wired the Governor
but his message was too late. All bus
mess houses closed and the big Cotton
Belt shops were deserted.