The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-01
SIX NEGROES HANGED
The Mob Was Composed Principally
Of Negroes.
FOR MURDER, OUTRAGE AND ARSON.
An Aged Negro and His Daughters
Were Victims.
FOR MURDER, OUTRAGE AND ARSON.
ALL HANG ON THE SAME TREE.
The Men Lynchcd Were Regarded "a
Bad Lot and the Community
Finds Nothing TO Condemn,

From parties who left Sunuyside late
The Post man learns that at o'clock p.
III. the six negroes were cut down. Five
were buried in one grave right under the
tree which served as a gallows. Fayette
Rhono was claimed by his people, who will!
give him decent burial
While the four Thomas boys are guilty
by their own confession, there seems some
doub, as TO The guilt OF Fayet,e Rhoau ana
VIII Gates. At least many seem to think
that these. We're Implicated by the state
monts Of tho Thomas boys. which might be
untrue ehcre was Il seventh man cap
turcd by the mob, who ms yet is not ac-
counted for Ills name is Willie Williams
and what fate has overtaken him no ono
knows. Constable Tucker pinckney and
Deputy Frank 1ipscomb arrived too lato at
sunnysidc to protect the prisoners, Had
thoy gotten there In time lynching might
have been avor,ed. as they are officers who
know no fear.
Hampstead. Texas, April So.-Danglins
from tho limbs OF n large oak tree arc
the bodies Of six negroes linn and lifcloss.
The scene Of this horrible picture is ono
mile north of Suunyside and sixteen miles
from here. The large tree Is on tho public
road from sunnysidc to Pattison and for
years TO como This tree will bo pointed at
by passersby as IL tree with tho record OF
having held at one and tho same time tho
bodies of six men executed by popular
fury. commonly called Judge Lynch
Such a scene as the one looked upon today
remembered and dreamed about iIundreds
OF people from all over the county are
surEins back ana forth, but always with
that one tree as the center of attraction.
on this tree there are hanging Fayette
Rhoan u years old, WIN Gates, 80 years
old; Louis Thomas. 90 years old; Aaron
Thomas. 10 years old: Jim Thomas, II
years old. Benny Thomas. 10 years old.
The last four are brothers.
These men and boys were thought to DO
guilty of heinous crime committed tho
night before within one mile OF tho place
OF their execution.
Henry Daniels. an old negro, lived there
in little hut with hs stepdaughter, Marie.
and 7-yenr- old child. Wednesday night
the house was broken open, Marie Daniels
and the 7-yoar- old child were ravishcd and
old man Daniels dubbed TO death, trying
TO protect those In his charge.
Then old man Daniels and his stop
daughter wero thrown into the house and
the child was thrown into tho woll.
Tho house was act on fro and tho deviiA
capable Of such crime left thinking that
they had covered their inhumnn deed from
the sight Of tho world
Yesterday morning all was excitement
at sunnyslde. The fire had not attracted
much attention. but when Daniels and his
people did not show UP tho charred loca-
ton OF the house was searched and the
terrible truth was soon only too plain.
Tho burned remnants OF human bodies
left no doubt In ono direction. while the
blood stains about the promises indicated
the commission OF murder.
The local officers went to work with
will and were ably assisted by the best
citizens of the noishborhood. The blood
hounds from stecles plantation were Sc
cured and they were not long In finding
the right track. Before night they went
straight into the place where the Thomas
boys resided. and one by one they were
secured.
They confessed, duplicating others. who