The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-06-13
To the Public.

my action as Sheriff ut the time of the
recent and unfortunate lynching of the
colored man. Will Howard. This
criticism seems to have been INDUCED
in by parties generally. regardless of
color or political aftiliation. They
have found expression in editorials
and in correspondence in the local
papers. Thus far | have permitted
/ them to 90 unnOticed. for the reason
that was. within myself. fully
conscious that | had done my whole
duty. and that no apology was either
necessary or proper. This letter is
not to be treated as an apology for
anything that | may have done in that
connection. or may have failed to do,
but thinking that possiblya true state
ment of the facts from me would dis
abuse the minds of some who have
mistakenly criticised. have con-
cluded to give my own version of the
affair. | conscientiously tried to do
my full duty as | understood it.
Following is Il brief statement of
the facts:
After the arrest of the unfortunate
negro on Il charge. which is always
heinous. he waived an examination
and was committed to the jail at about
three O'Clock in the afternoon. | gave
the matter no thought further than |
would that of any other prisoner com
mitted to jail: relying upon the good
record of the citizens of the county.
Later in the evening, however. | heard
intimatiOns that possibly there would
be an effort made to lynch the prison
er: such a thing never having occurred
in the history of the county. and
knowing the people as | did. | could
not believe that there was any serious
inclination by a sufficient number to
carry it ont. However. as matter of
precaution. | Immediately consulted Il
number of my friends, regardless of
political utilization or color. as to the
prOba bility of such threats being car
ried into force, and asked them to
keep me posted as to any concerted
action looking to that end. These
were men of good standing. and men
who knew. as well or better than |, the
temper of the public. From them
received the information that, in their
judgment, there was no danger: of
course they were mistaken as well as
myself.
AT about o clock | noticed cOngre-
eating on the public square and
around town. strangers. and in knots
of three and four consulting among
themselves. and in undertones. This
first gave me serious alarm. and | at
once notified my deputies, as we'll as
Il number of other citizens. to hold
themselves in readiness to assist me:
first to get the prisoner away. or if
necessary, to defend him in case of
assault. should suchcontingency arise |
In the meantime | sent Il horse and |
buggy about a mile from the city that
might have it ready for Use if it be- !
came necessary to spirit the prisoner
away. Dark came on. and felt then |
that would be able to convey the |
prisoner safely from the Jail to where |
the horse and buggy was located. and !!
made an effort to do so. but to my as |.
tonishment. ! found that my every /;
movement was watched, and that men /
were stationed in such manner as to /
preclude my getting away without de- /
lection: however. myself. deputy and |
prisoner made an attempt. leaving the /
Jail yard by a circuitous route. when .
those determined upon having the /
negroes blood attempted to seize the ,
prisoner. | ordered my deputy to fire !
several shots in order. if possible. to /
the mob. which he did. but .
il did not have the desired effect. y /
number Of men seized The prisoner. .
and no less than three, at the point OF
pistols. demanded his surrender. which
left me nothing to do but To submit 10 .
the inevitable. Ii i possible. and even
truc that / and my deputy could nave
kil}eda nUmbcr of maIwhow"re press .
ing the NEGRO. oG' such ;.rtion. in my
Judgment. :c..t aa.. resulted. not III
saving ;ne negro, au. adding mo-.