The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-28
THE LITTLE 14-YEAR-OLD Girl
AVENGED AT HAWESVILLE.
VILLAIN TAKEN FROM THE OFFICERS
Hanged in the Courthouse Yard--No MASK:
Used and no Questions Asked The fiend
Confesses Two Similar 0fenses
prouar
Regulation Prayer .

ing the progress of a protracted revival
in a nearby church, not a mask to be
seen, and in the presence of 500 infu-
rated people, Raymond Bushrod, a ne
gro, this evening at o'clock was made
to pay the penalty of a vicious assault
on the person of 14-year-old Maggie Rob
erts. He was swung from a limb in the
courthouse yard
Bushrod was from Rockport, Ind. Sew
eral months ago he was taken in and
treated kindly by Willis Clark, a farmer
in the upper part of the county, only 10
betray Clark and steal his watch. For
this he was released two weeks ago from
the county Jail, after having served q
sentence of 1876 days. He was in town
yesterday and drinking. In the after
noon he set out afoot, going west on the
Texas Railway.
Three miles below town, near Petri
Station, he encountered Maggie Roberts,
daughter Of Ben Roberts, a prominent
farmer He ran her down and assaulted
her. In addition 10 this, he beat and
bruised her with an iron coupling-pin
and left her on the railroad grade to die
CAPTURED AND LODGED IN JAIL
The news of the revolving outrage
spread, and searching parties were sent
in every direction. Guards were sent to
every skih for twenty miles up and
down the river, and his escape to Ind
ana was well nigh impossible. Failing
In his attempt TO cross at Tell City, he
made back over the railroad. and was
captured in hiding under the waiting
station at Falcon, a mining town four
| miles below the scene OF the crime.
/ Bushrod was captured by a crowd of
four men, VINO brought him quietly to
/ Hawesyille and surrendered him to the
jailer, while the town was deserted
searching for him.
/ In the meantime the officers got wind
/ of mob, and he was secretly guarded
in the grave yard on the hill until morn
ing, when he was again locked up. But
the people had been determined all day.
They came to town afoot, on horseback
4 in wagons, and in trains. They were
impatient for darkness to cover the
ground
! 1t was rumored that militia would az
rive at $40 o'clock from 0wensboro for
Bushrod's protection. The angry crowd
would not stand this, and they placed
trusty sentinels en- the hill overlooking
/ the railroad to give warning If the sol
diers were sig ted TAey failed to
come, but at this time the officers
thought it opportune to play a ruse. The
mob now already furious, were led to
lbelieve that Busbrod had escaped from
the rear Of the jail to a passing train,
land a hot pursuit followed. The train
was followed only a square when an at
tempt to spirit Bushrod over the hills
and out Of town was discovered The
mob rushed back to the jail and. as he
rerf fa7 I'm,
and the officers were made to yield
IMOB'S MARCH TO COURT HOUSE.
The excitement at this time was in
tense Cannelton, Ind, had outpoured
upon Hawesyille, and promptly at 8
o clock the march to the court square.
but few steps away, was begun. The
mob halted in front Of a great, shady
poplar, with limbs overhanging the most
public street in town. Some delay was
caused for want of a rope, but soon
brand-new, half-:nch plow-line was fur
nished and everything was in readiness
for the first lynching in Hancock county.
| In the meantime Bushrod was given
an opportunity for confession and pray.
err. His confession was complete. Tie
stated that he was guilty, and this was
the third offense, one successful effort
having been made upon his 60-year-old
aunt. After offering up long and fer
vent prayer, the signal to haul was Civ
en-, and with pinioned arms and legs, he
was jerked into the air. The applause
as he went up was deafening.
| In about four minutes he was pro-
nounced dead. and Cornoner Mitchell,
viewing the body, cut it down, and sum-
moned jury, whose verdict was that
Bushrod came to his death at the hands
lof unknown parties.
After great deal OF idle curiosity was
gratified, the crowd and mob quietly
dispersed, and there are not tonight
three men in Hancock county that are
ready to say that wrong has been
done.
NO LEGAL ACTION LIKELY.
No action by the authorities against
any member of the mob is likely. Dur
ling the entire time of the lynehing not
less than 200 women were on the hill
land hillside overlooking the public
square, and when Bushrod's dangling
form went up, cheers from them rent the
lair. In fact, the women gave a double
assurance to the ones engaged that the
Iproper punishment was being melted out.
All through the day Bushrod gave evil
ldence Of intense anguish. He fully real
lied that his dealt was close ut hand.
and he gave some evidence Of sorrow.
In the march to the place of lynching
lit was almost impossible to prevent his
being killed by infatuated men. Twice
he was knocked down, and it is believed
by some that he was unconscious when
Istrung up.
ANOTHER LYNCHING PROBABLE.