The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-28
THREE HUNDRED DETERMINED MEN
Took Three Black Murderers From jail
at Ante Tuesday Night-They
Were Found Dangling From
Trees Early Yesterday.

wife. Inc DOuleS Oh the TWO Ioruler
hang to the limbs of Il stout oak in the
woods about half mile from the house
in which they butchered their victims.
The body Of the negro last named has
over it,
Three hundred men approached the
court house last night, the greater part
on horseback and some on foot, and i'm
mediately began securing about for the
deputies SO they could get the keys.
After delay of ten minutes commit
tee of the enraged men forced deputy
to deliver up the keys before he had
time to make an attempt to hide them.
The work of getting into the prison was
simple with the keys, though one lock
was smashed because the men did not
care to wait much longer to hunt the
key.
johnson saw his executioners coming
and slipped on his shirt, so that when
they opened his cell door he would be
ready. Joiner was told that he would
be taken, too, and Immediately set up Il
wall that could be heard on the outside.
He swore he was innocent. but the men
who were to take charge of him threw
him down in moment and tied his hands
behind his back. Johnson asked one of
the men who was tying his hands if
they meant to burn him or not. He was
told the crowd meant to do so. As to
Williams, he claimed that he shot his
wife accidentally while endeavoring, at 1
O'Clock in the morning, to kill rat with
winchester. He was jeered at and
told that rat killing was bad practice
and people should be hanged for it. He
| saw his fate was sealed and said nothing
more, going quietly with his captors.
The three negroes were led out into the
court yard green, where the horsemen
| surrounded them and waited little
while until the captain of the squad an
nounced his readiness to depart Before
going the captain thanked the people and
said they were there for business only
and that if any one wanted to join in and
take hand in the execution they were
welcome.
The three captives with long ropes at
| tached to their necks, were led by the
horsemen to the Little Zion church. on
Oak street. in this place, and there it
was decided to hang Williams to n tree
that had done duty before as a galows
One OF the men climbed up the oak and
fastened the rope, while another slipped
the moose over the unfortunate mans
head. While this was going on johnson
said to the men about him that if they
hanged Arch Joiner, whom he had impli.
Gated in previous statements they would
be killing an innocent man, as the men
who helped in it were not in the county
For his pains he was given a ran over
the head with a heavy piece of rope,
which Quoted him for the time.
Williams was told to pray and did SO.
after which he was ordered to get upon
horse. He became contrary and II
was necessary for some of the mon 70
iift him upon the back of the animal
Inc horse was led from under tho
negro, who was left hanging to the limb
OF the tree. Many shots were fired into
the dangling body.
a rain storm was prevailing when the
line of march was taken up. and tho
progress was slow and extremely diso-
greeable
Joiner and johnson walked about
mile, when johnson declared he wou,d
go no further, that he was exhausted
a wagon was procured and both negroes
hustled into it. The rain came down in
torrents and the night was dismal which
combined with the great apprehension of
every one as they walked slowly along,
muffled up in big overcoats, was enough
to fill the hearts of the negroes with
deepest awe. There were probably 200
men in line, all exceedingly orderely and
quiet.
When Independence was reached a halt
was made, and those who desired were
given an opportunity to view the negroes,
after which the march was again re-
sumed, this time in southeasterly direc-
ton from Independence, over rough and
'"PP,iJ 'oou', epc ihiu StiH IulllHB III IOr- !
rents. When within two miles of the
house formerly occupied by the Coltons,
some of the crowd set up a yell and |
much Dromiscuous shooting was INDUCED |
in.
Just before reaching Colton's place q
few lines of Nearer My God, to Thee"
was hummed to doleful tune. Arriving
at the place where the FIVE murders were
committed johnson and Joiner were or
dered to jump out of the wagon. Joiner,
had in some way loosened the rope on his
hands, and, watching his opportunity,
made q daring break for freedom. He
got off few feet when some one grabbed
him and short tussle took place. Others
dashed to the rescue and Arch was soon
subdued and rope placed around his
neck, johnson seemed sulen and said
nothing, nor did he endeavor to escape.
Joiner set up piteous moan and beg
yed his captors to shoot him, as he pre-
'erred death by being shot to any other
method. He then requested to be per-
nitted to fight johnson, saying that John =