Richmond planet., 1899-08-12

ALEXANDRIA, Va. Aug. 8.-Gragged
for third of o mile through the streets
OF this city, with q rope around hfs
neck, o bowling mob of 2.OOo people.
hooting and jeering and discharging
firearms about him, Ben Thomas, q
cOlored youth of twenty years, was
hanged tonight at midnight to = lamp
post on LeadbeAter corner. Indignant
citizens in this tragic manner meted
out punishment for an indecent assault
committed yesterday on Lille, the
ht-year- old daughter of Mr.. Edward
Clarke. The affair was accompanied
with many revolving incidents, and for
the second time within two years tkis
ancient metropolis of the Old Domin~
ion. almost within the shadew Of the
National Capitol, has contributed Z
genuine lynching sensation for the
country.
Certainly but once before during
many years, and that when the colored
man Mccoy was lynched for q similar
crime, has excitement run high in
AiexandriA. The assurance Of n lynch
rumors that eolOred men were prepar-
ing to offer armed resistance il an at
tempt WAS made to take Thomas from
the Jail. The assault Was the absorb
ing topic of conversation. Early in the
day citizens began TO arm themselves.
The stock of firearms and ammunition
in this city was exhausted. and expe-
diticns were made to Washington to
increase the supply.
coYGREeArKD ON srRKKT CORNERS.
The enraged citizens began to con-
gregate in small groups about the
street corners almost as soon as it
grew dark. These groups gradually
made their way about IL O'Clock to-
wards the jail. The talk was openly
made that the colored man was to be
taken from his cell by the mob. At
the same time there were excited re-
ports that colOred men were gather
ing on the outskirts OF the city TO make
an invasion. However, by IL 80 o'clock
fully 600 determined men had gath
cred about the Jail. Their presence
was marked by q notable calm, and
there was comparatively little demon
stration, save for the occasional firing
of a shot or an exclamation to "give
him up"
AS the mob grew and its determine
tion was apparent, some of the promi-
nent citizens of the place appeared
and tried to persuade the gathering to
dieperse. Finally, when it was plain
that demand would soon be made
for the opening of the jail, Mayor
Simpson addressed the excited men,
counseling delay until to-morrow,
when he promised to immediately call
the Grand Jury. and secure q trial in
couJt. "If they do not tomorrow find
an indictment and declare Thomas
guilty, will myself lead you to lynch
this man." declared the Mayor.
This did not appease the men who
were determined on Thomas life. The
mob surged up to the door Of the Jail,
Mayor Simpson being whisked away
from his place as though he was moth.
ing more than q feather. The officers
on guard in the jail refused TO deliver
the prisoner. A long, heavy plank was
jammed against the door, which quick
lV gave away. In the melee that fell
lowed the entrance into the jail, which
ia the corner OF Princess and st Asaph
sIreers, Chief OF Police James Webster
was knocked over and considerably
though not seriously, hurt.
BROUGHT OUT WRONG NAN.
The search for Thomas began at once
The first man taken out into the eorri-
dor was John Dogan, colored. He was
found to be the wrong man, and mo-
ment later, Thomas was rushed before
the howling throng. Several policemen
declared: This is not the man." al
though the rope wse at that moment
around Thomas neck. He had been
thrown to the floor Of the corridor.
The protests of sthe policemen were sc
vehement that Thomas was given
opportunity to get Hp, remove the rope
from his neck, and walk away, he
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