Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-10-30

Galveston, Tex, October pa spe-
cial TO the News from Kilgore, Texas,
says: At point about four miles from
Tyler was enacted one of those horrible
tragedies, the very recital Of which
causes the hearer to shudder and calls
for quick and certain vengeance.
A Mrs. Bell, who has been visiting
her mother, a short distance from
home, was on her return and was met
by a negro named Henry Hilliard.
What occurred can only be told by
the negro himself and the evidence
given by the dead body of the lady.
The ground showed that she had
struggled for her honor and the con-
dition OF the body told Of the cruelty
that has only been equalled by Jack
the Ripper"
After outraging the body, the negro
deliberately cut her throat and then,
taking his knife, ripped up her body
A posse was quickly organized, led by
Deputy Sheriff Smith, of Tyler, who,
with lanterns in hand and aided by
hound, tracked the negro TO within
four miles of this place, where they
The negro's clothing was still covered
with blood, which he had attempted to
wash of.
TYLER, TEXAS. October 2a-The negro
who so brutally murdered Mrs. Bell was
captured this morning about 4 o'clock.
three miles from kllgOre.
lie offered no resistance. Soon after the
officers had him handCuffed mob of 200
On
and demanded immediate surrender of the
prisoner which was readily given.
The mob then left for the scene of the
murder. where they arrived this after
noon at 3 o'clock. The crowd continued 10
gather at the scene Of the horrible crime
until nearly 2o0o citizens of Tyler and Vi
cinity were there.
A few moments before the hend was
brought to the place a meeting was held,
and a committee was appointed TO invesu-
gate his identity. Witnesses We're sum-
moned and closely interrogated him. The
result was a thorough identification. The
negro, Henry Hilliard, was brought before
the committee and made full confession,
in substance as follows:
II was coming down the road and saw
Mrs. Bell in the road. She was scared OF
me and I knew that If | passed her she
would say / tried to rape her, and l con-
cluded that I would rape and then Kill
her. I cut her throat and cut her IN an
other place and left"
Re wrote a note to his wife and gave it
Il am arrested by Wig Smith. You
know what they will do with me II L
don't see you any more good-bye:,,.-
After his confession and the thorough
Identification. n vote was taken as TO the
mode of punishment II was UNANIMOUSLY
agreed TO burn him and ii was agreed that
he should huffer his penalty on the puohc
The line of march was then taken up
toward Tyler and at o'clock the head Of
the line entered the main plaza, Where
no less than 1000 people were assembled.
Large crowds of ladies and children We're
congregated on the awnings surrounding
the public plaza. Wagons. carriages,
trees and buildings We're converted INTO
grand stands and were thronged at 4:SO
o'clock.
A scafCold was erected in the center of
the square.
Wagons laden with hndling wood coal
oil and straw were driven up 20 the scene
and placed in position. The negro was
then given an opportunity to speak. but
his words were inaudihle. hut when ne
offered up his last prayer on earlh, he
could be heard for several blocks.
He was then lashed to the iron post Ihat
extended through the platform. Mr. beIl'
the husband Of the murdered laIy, aP-
plied the match and the flames shot up
ward. enveloping the brute IN shee's ol
fire. - ..,..,1
He begged for mercy and 1t was meted
out to him just IS he was mercHul lo ny
pure innocent woman whose soul ne hlu
sent TO heaven at this hour yesterday
II was determined not 70 burn MN MN ,,is ht
once. and the fire was frequently quentt,n- t,,
ed and started again. From the time tne
first match was applied until his DEATH
was exactly fifty minutes.
The l. & G. n. south bound tram was was
crowded with people from the lo"HS
Hundreds Of negroes witnessed the eX-
oou+ion. and representative negroes eN-
pressed their endorsement OF the PullsH-
The officers were powerless and the sner-
ife v-fred the Governor, but his messaSe
was too lateAl business houses anu ,.C,. Iac-
tories closed and the big Cotton Bel1 shopS
v,.ara deserted.