The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-25
A MERITED FATE.
MISS KiTTiE HENDERSON'S ASsAlL.
ANT HANGED BY MOB.

ANT HANGED BY A MOB.
The Black Brute's Victim Witnessed the
Proceedipgs-How He Was Captured
1rom tho Officers Who We're EndesvorinE
to Spirit Him Away.
On Sunday Bob Brachett, on his
way to Ivy township from Asheville,
met pretty Kitty Henderson, a daugh-
ter of we'll to do and respectable far
mer living near Weaverville, eight
miles north OF Asheville. He choked
her into inssnsibility, outraged her
person and left her unconscious. In
few hours bands OF men were looking
Tor negro answering the mesgre de.
scripticn Miss Henderson was able to
give in moments OF consciousness,
but it was not till Tuesday that he was
found 80 miles away at the home of
negro preacher, in bed. He made no
resistance and confessed he was the
man wanted. He was at once taken
to the home of his victim and the
young lady reafirmed positively that
he was the man.
The crowd outside had by this time
learned of the negro's Identification
and loud cries were raised against
him. Deputy Mcdonald stated to the,
crowd that the negro would be taken
to Asheville. II will pledge myself
that the commissioners will call court
the first of next week for his trial,
said the officer, and with his captured
negro stepped out of the house.
As the negro stepped from the door,
Miss Henderson appeared on the step
and exclaimed: II prayed in my help
Iessness that God would spare my life
and send friends to avenge me and
now they have come to help me. You
may hang him or burn him" and she
fell back into her mothers arms, half
unconscious.
Cries arose, Hang him., Burn
him."
Deputy Reynolds broke inlo the din
with the remark: "Men, if you hang
him, you are all known and will be
tried for murder"
''That's all right" replied the mad
dened crowd, 1--WE will take care OF
that" But there was waver of hest
tation when Walter Vandiver, pro.
minent citizen of Weaverville, rose ID
his stirrups aud with a few ringing
words asked the men to save the fair
name of the county from such crime.
In the hesitation of the moment the
negro was thrown on horse back OF
the deputy and the 300 men of. the
neighborhood falling behino, the Off.
Ger and prisoner came into Asheville,
where, through crowd numbering
perhaps 1000, he was taken to the
county Jail. On the way in the negro
acknowledged that he was Miss Hem
derson's assailant.
The mob broke into the Jail and
commenced to batter down the steel
doors that led to the cells. The doors
soon yielded and it was then discovered
that Bracket had been spirited away
by the officers. All the other prison.
ers in the Jail were liberated. Pursuit
of the officers was at once commenced
and q crowd caught up with them at
Terrell station, on the Southern rail-
way, Is miles east of Asheville, early
this morning.
Bracket was taken from his pro.
tectors, but the mob could not agree
as to the disposition of him. Some
wished to hang him there, but the
stronger party decided to take him
back to the vicinity of his crime. It
was :35 a m., when the party started
out afoot, leading the negro, now
nearly exhausted aud seemingly only
half conscious, though he had not been
| ill treated. Breakfast was had with q
farmer, the negro having his share,
and then the walk of some twelve
miles was resumed. The route was
through deep ravine, between tower.
ing mountains.
At noon Hemphlll schoolhouss was
reached, and there the party was In
formed that the Asheville militia had
been called out and were on their way
to meet the mob. After consultation,
Miss Klttie Henderson, the neg.o's
victim, was SAINT for, four and q half
miles away, that she might see her
assailant hanged. When she arrived,
the negro was strung up SO quietly
that half the hangers on who, had
gathered from the country round did
not know that it had been done. No
shots were fired. and the mob dispersed
after half hour, leaving the body
hanging. -,
At no time was it possible for the
militia to haxe interfered. This is the
third lynching in Buncombs county
in twelve years.