Evening journal., 1895-12-30
THE DEEDS OF DEMONS
A Helpless Woman Burned to
Death by a Mob.
AN OLD MAN BRUTALLY MURDERED


Tho Terrible Ending OF Kentucky Scan
daI-A Furious Mob Set Fire to House.
and n Woman Perishcs In tho Flames.
Tho Man Riddied with Bullets.
LEBANON, KY. Dec. 30.-Within two
miles of this city last night a relentless
mob burned to death woman and rid
died with bullets her gray haired para
mour. Tho hlackened and disngured
corpses Of the victims, Mrs. Thomas West
and William Deveers, were found in tho
ruins OF the woman's homo by the IA
year-old daughter Of the murdered man.
Tho tragedy was ono Of the most brutal
ever enacted under the grewsomo sway Of
dread Judge Lynch. Despite the pleadings
for her fathers life OF half clad, fright
enod child and the prayers and tears Of
The III and helpless woman, the mob went
through with Its work with cold bloodod,
cruel elaboration, and only left when GER
tain that both man and woman woro dead.
The affair was the outgrowth OF the old
story of faithloss wife and vongeful hus-
band. Several months ago Dovoors a
middle aged widowor, was accused by
Thomas West, prosperous farmer, of in
quarrel throughout the fall until West
instituted divorce proceedings and do
clared that Deveors must die. The,mon
mot In Lebanon. West snapped his revolv-
yer, which missed fire, and Davoers killed
him on the spot On the plea Of self de-
fenso the murderor secured bail and scan
dalized the neighhorhood by Immediately
taking his two daughters and moving IN
TO Vests house. The relatives of the muir
derod husband swOro vengeance, which
came In a terrible and brutal form.
A band OF mon rode up to the West
homestead and demanded admittanoo.
The House Itlddied with Bullets
"Tom West Is dead Now it's your
turn, the spokesman called, and Doveors
and the woman awoko, 20 find their house
surrounded. Mrs West rushed 60 a dark
oned window and began wild, hysterical
plea for mercy A dozen bullets answered
her cries, and the demand for immediate
surrender was repeated. Devoors, too,
asked for a hearing, but his request was
greeted with a shower Of shots.
oven give you ten minutes to opon
up. Then you burn, said the mob's lend
or, and his mon quietly retired from tho
| door. A hurried consultation was held in
side the house, and then, white and terror
| stricken, the little girl OF Devoers was
| thrust out TO plead with the mob. Glad in
| her nightrohe bnrofooted and unproteot-
| cd, she hravoly walked out into the moon
| light and sobbed out a prayer for her
| white haired fathor's life
"Got out. You 'ro liable to got shot your.
self, " a ruillan said, and tho panic strick-
en- child fed 60 the cabin OF negro neigh
Dor.
Mrs. West then appeared nt the door
and made a last appeal for mercy. lt was
unavailing, and in another moment The
house was fred Tho shrieks Of the i'm.
prlsonod wretohes failed TO move theil
torturers, who ns tho flames reached ths
living room, could see the man and wom
an in tho agony Of death by tho fire.
just before the roof fell the woman wn'
seen TO reel across the room and plunge
headlong into tho fireplace among the
burning Goals, and thoro she died. Wild
with pain, Deyoers at the last momoni
made dash for liberty, but score ol
bullets stopped him half dozen steps
from tho door.
The little girl led her negro protector to
tho scene and there tho bodies acOrchod
beyond recognition, were found, untouoh.
4 ed by the lynohers There Is but little
doubt that the members Of the mob will
be captured, as they were without masks
and made no attempt at secrecy.
Another Tragedy May Follow.
It Is not improbable that tho scenes Of
the inhuman affair will be reenaoted IN
the vicinity shortly, as the outrage has
aroused tho most intense indignation
among the people Of the county. Because
Of the fact that Vests relatives had
threatened vengeance there Is a strong be-
lief that they are responsible for the
crime. Tho uncertainty, however,, as 10
just who was implicated has so far pre-.
vented further trouble.
The child of Doyocrs who was a wit
ness 10 the tragedy Is dangerously III a,
the result Of tho fright and exposure, but
upon her recovery she may be able It i
hoped, TO identify some OF the lynohors.
The night was brilliant with moonlight
and the unmaskod faces OF the members
of the mob should bo easily identified a.
soon as the child is able TO appear In court
Mrs. Vests corpse was oharrod almost
beyond human semblanoo. Overcome by
the flames, sho had fallen into the large
old fashioned fireplace OF the living room
and tho head was almost burned from
the body. Dovoer's body was pierced by
at least 20 bullets. Before his desperate
dash for liberty he had been frightfully
burned and would probably have diet
without the gunshot wounds. His hail
and beard were burned off, his clothes
were in charred shreds and his face biis
tered and blackonod.
No arrests have so far been made, bu
developments are expected.
Justice Nave yesterday began an In
quest upon the bodies Of the victims. Sew
erai witnesses have been examined, bu
nothing tending to incriminato any ont
was developed. The investigation will b'
continued today.
| Deyeers formerly lived In Knoxville.
1 Died In His Pew,