The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-01-24
LYNCHED! f.
Gene Washington
STRUNG UP TO A TREE
On Main Street Officers We're
OVerpOwcTcd
By AN ARMED MOB
OF Enrdged Citizens Who Took
the Law in Their
Own Hands.
ANOTHER RAPlST SENT DANGLING INTO
ETERNITY.
The TERRIBLE LESSON or LAST
SPRING AGAIN REPEATED.

At about $50 o'clock last night Gene
Washington, the negro arrested Friday
for eriminally assaulting the young
white lady 4 i.2 miles north Of town
Thursday, was '1ken from the Jail By
an armed mob and hung 10 the limb Of
a tree on Main street, almost In front Il
the first national bank, one Of the most
public places In town.
When Washington was arrested the
officers received intelligence FROM
BenehIey that an Irishman had just
passed through that place on his way
to Hsarne, aud upon hearing the des.
cripiion Of the negro who committed
the deed he declared that he had been
with the negro Walking the railroad,
only short time time before. and that
the negro had left him saying he was
going 10 a house near by 10 &c, some
water or something to eat. The place
proved 10 be the same at which the
outrage occurred and the hour when il
was done also oorresponded with that
given by the Irishman, who lefl his
name In case he should be wanted ami
proceeded.
Today Sheriff Mum went mp to
hearne and returned with the Irish.
man who readil, identified Washing.
ton from among a about to1en other
negroes, none Of whom be knew. Tho
lrishman not only recognized the negro
AT once, but described a torn pocket
on the inside Of his coat, which was
found by the officers.
When the train reached town Il va,
me, at the depot by a crowd WIN
had gathered from the country on all
sides and now followed 10 the jail.
As soon as II was announced that the
lhshman had definitely and beyond all
question identified the negro demands
were made for the prisoner. At this
iuncture, about 3 O'Clock, there weis
probably 500 people about the jail,
several hundred Of them armed TO thr
teeth. Jadge W. G. TaliaIerro, who
was present, mounted the jail step,
aud addressed the crowd. He told
them court would meet here six week
hence and he would guarantee the Law
to be speedily and effectively enforced
and begged them to let the law take Ia
course. Speeches were made by ShoIif
Mum, Judge Hartman, County Attor.
ney Board, Judge Bheiz, J.. 4. Butler,
R.w.CAu and 7. P. Boye,i, all MAKING
pleas TO maintain the majesty Of the
law. sheriff Num- told the people h.
loved them and would lay down his lii,
In defense Of their homes, but thai
they had elected him sheriff aud It Wa
bis duty 10 protect his prisoner and h,
would do It 50 long as be had the pow.
er, 80 help him God. The mob listened
respec fully, but was determined, and
when Judge TAliAferro, the last speak
er, had finished, made a rush on the
door. The sheriff and deputies fred
from the inside, no one being hurt, but
the mob hetitaled for time and run.
ners were sent out for achievements.
Dunng this interval Judge Taliaferro
telegFaphed the governor, stating the
situation and saying that he had called
for aid In defending the prisoner and
was unable 10 secure II, and asking for
military aid.
Bye O'Clock the mob had increased
largely, and numbsr Of penoas. law