Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-06-07
A FLORIDA LYNCHING.

News WaS received AT 81. augustine
Fla, Saturday evening of the lynching
at or near Orangedale, st. Johns
county, on the ST. Johns river, of a me-
gro named Isaac Barrett, for attempt
ing 10 murder the entire family of Fl. j.
Hu@son, on THURSDAY, at midnight.
Barrett entered their house at mid
night and struck Mr. Hewson fearful
blow on the head with heavy club,
knocking him senseless. Mrs. Hew
sou was awaker ed. AS she turned over
3 ,rrett struck her blow, smashing
| ner forehead in Their little son, aged
ell ven years, came running in, awaken
ed by the noise, and the negro attacked
nim, flooring him with a blow that
, cracked his skull.
The intruder then went into the next
ROOM and, finding the girl getting up,
attacked her, forcing her hack on the
bed The girl fought heroically for her
ife and shrieked for help. The negro
chok ed her and she scratched his face
terribly. In the struggle the wash
stand was knocked down and the ne
gro, fearing that some one vas coming,
jumped through the window and
fled. After the girl regained conscious
oess she went into the other room
aud tried to aid her parents. Soon af-
ter knock was heard and Bartlett,
who had worked on the place, came
and asked if aid was wanted, saying
a.. hsd heard some noise. He came in
and aided the girl. She did not recog
aize him as the intruder. He remain
ed till morning aad then went for aid.
Saturday st noon the neighbors
came, and after some sharp work Bar
rett was srres ed, as ali the clews lead
70 his cabin. He was taken in wa
goa by Capt Patterson and William
Brentin. As they were going a ong to
ward the magistrates Office Barrett
jumped from the wagon and seized
gun as he did so. Leveling it at their
heads, he swore TO kill them if they did
not turn the wagon back and return.
They did so.
Soon afterward two other men were
met, but, being unarmed, they could
do nothing except argue with Barrett.
TIE negro had worked himself into
rage, and several times he raised the
gun AS if to shoot them, but he was
paciied, and as soon as be was of his
guard Mr.. Brentin leaped out of the
wagon on his back, and in second re
wes q prisoner. They tied him and
put him III the wagon. Seeing that his
game was up, he admitted the assaults
upon the family saying that he was sorry
tlat he did not kill them all. He said
ne intended TO kill his would.be captors
also as soon as he got near the river
The men went along little further to
ward Orangedale, when suddenly a
band of men, masked, appeared with
uplifted guns and compelled halt.
Barrett cried out defisntly at first,
but seeing the stern faces of the men, he
wited and cried for mercy. He was
helped out and the band marched
out to the woods with him. The negro
shouted with all his might, praying and
cursing by turns. The men compelled
Capt. Patterson to return the way he
came and to ask no questions.
Late Saturday afternoon it was learn
ed that Barrett's body adorned live
oak tree near the river.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hewson are badly of,
the latter's life being in jeopardy. The
boys life is despaired of. The girl was
in Mysteries all day, and was in critical
condition Saturday night.
Popular opinion, while against lynch
ing, has approved mob law in this in
stance owing to the aggravated nature
of the crime. Barrett worked for Hew.
son and had always been regarded as
quiet negro. In his confession he stated
that the fact that old man Hewson
owed him money, and that Mrs. Hew-
son had called him "nigger," caused
! his murderous attack.