The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-24
SWIFT RETRIBUTION.
Short Shrlft Made Of Negro BY
Bryan Citizens.
THE MOB WAS DEAF TO ALL APPEAL.
A Gallant Defense OF the Prisoner
Made BY the Sheriff
THE CROWD MAS DETERMINED
THE CROWD MAS DETERMINED
Eugene Washington strung Up 10 =
Tree In the Main street Of the
CITY OF Drymn--iror Outrage.

Bryan, Texas, January ca Eugene wash-
ington. the negro arrested yesterday for
the rape OF Miss DE Hart on Thursday near
wood tree on Main street In tho city OF
Bryan. 1t being one OF tho most public
places IN the city. His death is the work
o. an Infatuated mob at 80 this evening
composed OF the best citizens OF tho coun-
ty. who are determined TO protect the yir.
tue OF tho women of Braaos county from
the lust of the rare fiend. In the search
for tho rapist It was learned by the Of
ficers that an lrlshman passed through
Bcnchley late on the afternoon of the rape.
On being told about It, he said that me-
gro suiting the description given by tho
young lady OF her assailaut had walled
with him on the railroad that evening and
left him near the house where the crime
was committed and said no would so by
there and get some water. A search was
Immediately made for the Irishman and ha
was located at Hoarnc. Sheriff Mum went
M after him at noon today and returned on
tho $40 train with him.
An immonso crowd WAS at the depot when
the sheriff arrived and followed him to the
Jail. Many of the crowd wero we'll armed.
The freshman was taken inside the Jail
and positively identified Washington
among some dozen other prisoners Aside
from his Identification OF the negro by his
appearance he told the officers one OF tho
pockets of the Negroes coat was torn, and
upon examination Il was found to be MS he
said
As soon o. Il was announced that tho
freshman had positively identified the ne
gro, the mob outside demanded the pris-
oner.
Just at this time Sheriff Mum and Coun-
ty Attorney Board appeared in the Jail
peal to the mob, imporing them TO let tho
Law take It's effect. At the conclusion OF
telling them that they were niF fricnds
that he loved every man In the crowd. but
was his sworn duty to protect his prisoner.
even with his life, and that he would do
1t, so hclp him God.
Speeches were then made by County
Judge Harmon, Treasurer X. w. Carr. J.
E. Butler, Esq, Colonel T. p. Boyett and
others, District Attorney Taliaferro then
appeared and made a most eloquent and
earnest appeal TO the mob to let the law
take Its course. He assured them that
court would convene now within ELK weeks
and that tho prisoner would surely meet
his Just deserts. The mob listened to him
with great respect, hut would not heed his
advice, and at tho conclusion of his re-
marks made rush for the door.
At this time the guards on the inside OF
tho Jail began firing into the air and It
had the effect Of stopping the mob for Z
sufficient time TO patch up truce between
the officers and mob. During the interim
fifteen or twenty Of Bryans best citizens
went to the Jail and demonstrated with
the sheriff not to prolong the struggle:
that 1t would only result IN the sacrifice OK
the lives OF good citizens, Tor the mob was
determined aud had purchased dynamite
with which to bio wup the Jail II necessary
lie refused TO heed them, where'lpon Troy
locked the door and overpowered him and
his guard and the mob rushed In aud SEE
cured the prisoner. He was taken into the
court house yard, and vote put whether
to hang him or burn him. The first vots
was for burning. but they reconsidered ana
decided to hang him.
At this point The Post reporter made ma
way through the crowd TO where tho negro
was and found him on his knees praying -
God to forgive poor sinner.
The crowd then proceeded TO Main sIreet
, tContinucd ON fifth Pngel