Evening journal., 1896-02-27
ROBBERSWERE HANGED
Bank Raiders Lynched by a
Furious Mob.
DEsPERADO's WONDERFUL NERVE.


The Careers Of the Noted Outlaws, Foster
Crawford and Younger Lcwis, Alias Tho
Kid, summariIy Ended-Thc Texas Code
of Justice.
WICHITA FALLS, Tex, Feb. 27.-Foster
Crawford, the noted outlaw. and his com
panion, known as the Kid, tho two men
who attempted to rob the City National
bank and killed Cashier Dorsey, were cap
turod and brought 70 this city and lodged
in jail. which was later attacked by mob
of several thousand persons. After show
Of resistance on the part OF tho authorities
the mob battered in the jail doors and
forcibly took possession Of the prisoners.
Tho two men were taken to the bank
which they attempted TO rob and an i'm
provised scaffold was erected. The first
impulse Of the half orazed mob was to
burn the prisoners but tho calner counsel
prevailed, and it was decided to hang
them.
Yells Of Hang the Kid flrstp went up.
Then others, "No hang the Oldest flrstV'
The Kid refused TO say word, and those
having him in charge yanked him up on a
box. The scene was weird one One had
on high heeled boots, black pants and a
deep red flannel shirt, which added grew
somo brillianoy to the scene In q moment
the rope was about his neck, and man.
who some say looked like one Of the men
whose horses had been taken, fixed one end
ncross the crossbar.
All this time the Kid was jeerinR at the
audience, laughing and cursing. He mover
uuivored Ho was asked TO say what he
wanted and was told he would be given a
hearing.
He said "That's all right. If you arc
impatient, swing me up now. / amt
afraid TO die Pull the ropoP'
A voice in the audiences You're going
TO die now. Tell US your name"
The Kid said with an oath: Il don't
care II l do. IL Is Younger Lewis, and my
father and mother reside in Neosha, Mo. ="
"Any. messageS" from voice In the
crowd.
The Kids Last Message.
"well, tell my father was not scared a
bit, that / died like norvy man. Say,
you fellows, go and look in that dugout
and you will find $40, 600 there.
The Kid, or Younger Lewis, as he at the
last moment said he was continued chat
ting and laughing with the crowd, poking
fun at them and oursing for a moment,
and then some one yelled, "Time is up"
The Kid said; "I am 20 years old and
robbed that bank. / am dead game and
ready to die. Go ahead.
In an instant he was pulled up above
the throng He never quivered or kicked.
He Just went up in the air and was left
hanging there, dead. Mon on the frontier
for years and years said that no nervier
man ever died. He was the coolest man In
all the great throng.
All the while Crawford was spectator
of the scene He began to weaken and
confessed, giving some valuable informa-
tion. He placed the responsibility for the
crime ON tho Kid.
The mob pulled him Off the improvised
platform next 60 the bank he attempted
10 rob- and his head was about on level
with the dangling foot of his companion.
Finding the rope too short ho was lower
cd to the platform, and another rope was
sent for.
He asked for Captain Burnett. The latter
was a spectator in the crowd. He went tc
Crawford, and he had long talk. Craw-
ford has worked on Burnctt's ranch fol
years and long was a trusted man. He be-
gan stealing his employers stock, howev'
er, and associating with territory outlaws.
Tho two parted company. Crawford con-
fessed TO the robbery. but denied the mur.
der He was small man, poorly clad,
with red face and short, clipped mustache.
Whom they began TO look for a second
rope, he begged for whisky. 1t was Civ
en- him. He talked and then begged fol
more He then addressed tho crowd in
Comnnche, English and Spanish. Thos'
who understood say his utterances wer'
incoherent The rope soon arrived, and i
was put about his mock. Ho.fell either il
a faint or from tho effects Of the liquor hi
had drunk He was soon strung up along
with his companion, and thoir bodies wer
left dangling in midair.