Richmond planet., 1899-10-14

The coloxed citizsns of Chicago sent
Detective LOUIS P. LIE Vim to Georgia
to investigate the facts relative to the
burning of SAN HosH, at Newman,
Georgis-
Mrs. Ida B. Wells-Bsrnett publishes
the report n full and while we are late
in presenting is to our readers, it will
prove to be interesting Information.
The full text of the report is as fol-
lows:
About three weeks ago was asked
xo make an impartial and thorough in
vestieation of the lynchings which oc-
curred near Atlanta. Ga, not long
since. I left Chicago for Atlanta, and
spsnt over a week in the investigation.
the facts herein were gathered from
interviews with persons met in Grif-
fin. Newnan, Atlanta and IN the Vicln-
itv of these plscss-
found no difficulty in securing IN
tarviews from white people. There
was no disposition on their part to con-
ceal nny part they took in the lynch
ings. They discussed the details OF
fhe burning of Sam Hose with the
f-SaSom which one would talk about
- sfternoon's advertisements in which
he had very pleasantly participated.
WHO WAS THE vIcTIM7
Who was Sam Hosef His true name
-ss Samuel Wilkes. 6e was born in
Escor Ca. where he lived until his
father died. The family, then con-
aisting OF his mo her, brother ana sis-
Ter. moved to MaE5hal, where all work
I'd and made the reputation or hard
working, honest people. Sam stuoieo
ard WAS soon able to read and write,
~nd WAS considered q bright, capab le
man His mother became an invalid, +,
and ss his brother was considered al
rooat an irabecile, Sam was the main
stsv Of the family. He worked on diff
ferent farms, and among the men ne
Torkad for WAS B. Jones, who SITTER
wsrd ca0tured him and delivered him
over 70 the mob ct Newman.
Sann's mother partly recovered, and
"a his sister married. Sam left ana
vent to Atlanta 30 better his condition.
He secured work near Palmetto Tor a
man named Alfred Crawford ana
worked for him for about two years.
nm to the time of the tragedy. will
Dot call it a murder. for Samuel
Wilkes killed Alfred Crawford in self.
defense. The story you have read
ahout a Negro stealing into the hoose
and numbering the unfortunate man at
his supper has no found ation IN lac.'
TonallT untrue is the charge that L
ter numbering the husband he assault
al the wife. The reports indicated
that the murd erer Was stranger, VINO
had to be identified. The fact Is ne
had worked for Crawford over year.
THE CRIME COMMITTED.
waa there a murderP That Wilkes
killed Crawford there is no doubt, but
nnder what oircumstances can never
he provep. i asked many white people
of Palmetto what WAS the motive.
They considered it useless question
A sfnigger'' had killed white man
and that was enough. some sAId 4
was because the young nlggers ole
not know their places. others that shey
were getting too much education
while others declared that it was al
dua to the influence OF the Northern
~o;g,(ers." ". w. Jackson, OF New.
uau' said: 'sIf I had my way about il
I would lynch every Northern 'nigger
that comes this way. They are &c the
hotton of this" John Low, OF Lin.
coin. Ala, said: my Negroes would
die for me simply BECAUSE keep .
strict hand on them and allow ns
Northern Negroes to associate will
them"
Upon the question Of motive thex'
wax no answer except that which wa
made by Wilkes himself. The dis
matches said that Wilkes eonfesset
hoth co the murder and the alleged as
sault upon Mrs. Crawford. But Meth
ar OF these reports is true. Wilkes di(
cav that he killed Mr.. Crawford, but hI
did not 1T any time admit shat he as
ssalted Mrs. Crawford. This ne denies