The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-11-08
NEGRO ROASTED ALIVE.
Awful Vengeance Meeted Out for a Das-
tardly Crime.

tardly Crime.
Tyler, Texas, Oct. 3l.-Mrs. Leon.
ard Bell, the 19-year-old wife of a
farmer living four miles from here,
was assaulted and murdered Monday
night by Henry Hilliard, 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 d 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 hound.
tracked the negro to within four miles
OF the spot, where, at a. M, they
found him fast asleep in a cotton pen.
Soon after the officers had him hand
cuffed a mob of some 200 men, heavily
armed, arrived on the scene and de-
manded the immediate surrender of
the prisoner, which was reluctantly
given. The mob started for the scene
of the murder, where they arrived
yesterday afternoon at o'clock. The
crowd continued to gather at the
scene Of the horrible crime until
nearlv 1000 citizens of Tyler and vi
cinity were there.
A few moments before the iend was
brought to the place. a meeting was
held and committee was appointed
to in uocti ia b;c ~
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 800 determined and we'll
armed men. When near the scene the
officers were overpowered and dis
armed, and the negro, Henry Hilliard,
was brought before the committee.
He made a full confession, and wrote
a note to his wife as follows:
u am arrested by Wig Smith. You
know what they will do with me. If
! don't see you any more, good by.
'.HENRY.''
After his confession and thorough
Identification vote was taken as to
the mode Of punishment It 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 :, 200 people
were assembled. Large crowds Of
women and children were congregated
on the awnings surrounding the pub
lie plaza. Wagons, carriages, trees
and buildings were converted into
grand stands and were thronged at
4:3O.
A scaffold was erected in the center
Of the square. Wagons laden with
kindling wood, coal oil and straw were
driven to the scene and placed in
position. The negro was then given
an opportunity to speak, but his words
We're inaudible. When he offered up
his last prayer, however, he could be
heard for several blocks. He was then
lashed 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 a sheet of fire. He begged
for mercy and it was meted out to
him in the measure he gave his VIC
tim. It was determined to burn him
at once. but the fire was quenched
after the last piece of wood was
! burned. In a few minutes the fire
was started again. From the time the