The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-12-24
THE ANTl.MoB ASSOCIATION.
Gov. McLaurin Sits Down on Ohio
Cranks.

The following correspondence be-
tween an Ohio crank and Governor
McLaurin will be read with interest
by every true Mississlppitn. The
crank's letter Is printed verbatim that
the Governors recommendations may
be fully understood:
The National Anti Mob and Lynch Law As
sociation, Springfield, Ohio, Dec. 10, iss'.
Gov. A., J. McLatrin, Jackson, Miss.
Dear Strive are very sorry that
Mississippi is in control Of mobs and
lyncherS. The affair at Weson is GER
certainly 4 disgrace to Mississippi and
to the civilization of this government.
The civilized nations Of the world
look at us as barbarians from the fire.
quent OccuranCe 0f mob rule. Mob
law Is never right, and where law
ends anarchy begins and no mans life
is safe. We received u letter from
you sometime ago and you stated that
you would do all in your power to pre-
vent mob and lynch law in Mississippi.
We cannot but believe that you win
keep your word. We have tile assur-
ance FIR IN most OF the Governors of the
United States to cooperate with us in
putting down Judge lynch, and give
the law a chance. Among them are
Governors O'Tcrrel, OF Virginia and
Atkinson, OF Georgia, aud your honor
ed self. W. are seeking to get string
ent laws enacted in every State
against lynch law.
Hoping TO hear from you soon, we
remain, yours truly,
SAMUEL E. HUFFMAN,
Secretary.
No, SO Lagonda avenue.
Following is Governor McLaurin's
reply:
JACKSON, Miss, Dec. 16, 1897.
Samuel Z. Huffman, Secretary, Springfield, Ohio.
Sir-Y0urs OF the 10, Is received, in
which you say: 1--WE are very sorry
that Mississippi is in control Of mobs
and %lynchers. The affair at Wesson
is certainly IA disgrace to Mississippi,
and to the civilization OF this govern
mcnt." suppose you mean by 1--WE"
the "Anti-MOb and Lynch Law Asso-
ciation," Of Springfield, Ohio. 1t is a
matter of great surprise to me that
the first sentence Of a letter Of the
secretary OF what purports to be a
civilizing association, signed by the
secretary officially, should contain an
insult to the people of a State distin-
guished for the gallantry and chivalry
OF its men and the virtue and fidelity
OF its women.
In Simpson county, in this State.
Mr.. Smith, a farmer, after gathering
his crop, was working a few miles
from home at d mill, TO supplement
his years earnings on his farm, and
when he returned to his home after
dark he was alarmed to see that there
was no light in his humble house, and
upon striking a light, he discovered
his little four-y ear-0ld girl hid under
the cover on a bed, who asked him il
them niggers was gone" In the hal
he found the l~ifeless body of his wife
with her skull crushed, fonr Of his
children lying dead around her, on the
dead body Of one OF which his crawling
infant was asleep. The alarm was
given by the frenZied husband and
father, 4 negro named Stewart whose
guilt was clearly indicated was arrest
cd. and he implicated other negroes
who were arrested, proven not guilty
and released, while Stewart was shown
TO be guilty beyond all doubt, and was
slain by Smiths Infatuated ncighbors
This no more makes Mississippi a
State Of mObbers and lynchers that
the lynching affairs, numbering anC
cutting of the heads Of girls, and
burning Of million dollar court houses
which you occasionally have IN Ohio
make yoiI n State of hpathens Mr.