Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-07-08
CALLS FOR VENGEANCE
From the 25,O0O Negroes Following
Benefits Remains to Grave.
Alleged That Bennett Was Innocent-The
Lynchers still Unknown.

Lake City, Fla July THE funeral
of Rev. Robert Bennett, the young Negro
preacher who was dragged from the pulpit
by white men and. Iynched at O'Clock,
Thursday morning, was most remark
able spectacle. The inquest was held,
Thursday afternoon, and then the mutt
lated body of Bennett was taken to the
homo of his mother and prepared fol
burial Thursday night negroes began to
gather at Bennett's home to attend the
funeral, which was fixed for Friday after
noon.
At noon of Friday, there We're more
than 20, 600 negroes In the vicinity, utter
ing lamentations and calling for ven
geance on Bennett's slayers. At 2 o clock
the funeral procession started for the
cemetery of Hope Henry church, from the
pulpit of which Bennett had been drag
ged. The coffin was of spotless white,
and was borne by six stalwart negroes.
In its wake followed thousands of negroes,
singing ana calling upon the Lord.
The church was three miles from Ben
nett's home, and when the coffin reached
there the rear Of the procession was just
moving from the Initial point. The ser
Dndle, over whose sleeping form the
lynchers dragged Bennett from the pulpit.
The Rev. Dud dley was bitter against the
lynchers. He said that if certain white
men should get to heaven and find negroes
there, they would lynch the colored saints
unless God prevented. He prayed God to
blast every member of the mob, and a
mighty Amen from the mass of negroes
emphasized the petition Then the coffin
was borne to the grave. The sky had been
overcast and storm threatened.
As the coffin was lowered into the grave,
Rev. Dudley shouted, 80 God, avenge
this innocent man." Hardly had the
sentence been completed when a stroke of
came from the skies and played
on the coffin in the grave. The negroes
were at first awed and then shouted, 1t s
Il sign God will avenge.' Negroes say that
no thunder followed this lightning flash.
The grave was then filed and the negroes
dispersed quietly, saying, 1.-The matter
is in God s hands now.
Opinion is general that BENEFIT com
mitted no assault on Miss Padgett, as
alleged. He had worked for the girl S
father two years. The assault is alleged
to have been committed June /, yet Ben
nett remained in Suwanee until June 60
and then came to this county. Soon he
went back to Padgett S. and remained un
til July /, when he again came home
There are many rumors in regard to the
affair.
One generally believed Is that Bennett
had discovered the secrets of band of
white law breakers, and was lynched to
prevent him informing. Another story is
that he was lynched for white man S sim
White citizens are determined to probe the
matter and Constable Walker. who had a
warrant for Bennett, and accompanied
the lynchers, will be arrested
A diabolical feature of the tragedy de
veloped, today. Bennett was killed and
mutilated near the church, and the body
was placed in wagon and driven to his
others home. Constable Walker entered
and told the mother they had Bennett.
but would not harm him The mother
blessed Walker for his kindness to her
boy. although his mangled corpse was
then at the gate. The lynchers then drove
two miles further and hanged the mutt
lated body to tree