Richmond planet., 1899-08-12

proceeded down st. Assph street for a
third of block and hid in the vesti-
bule of the residence OF Mr.. Sineox.
Itwas not long before lynchers COZ
vinced themselves that the escaping
prisoner was the one they wanted. Sew
eral men darted after him and dragged
him from the vestibule. The rope WAS
again placed about bis neck, the thor.
oughly frightened culprit moaning and
yelling all the time. In the scufIe
that attended these proceedings near
~ ell the clothing was torn from his
body.
Then the strange procession started
down st. Asaph street. Several citi-
zens held the rope by which Thomas
was being led to his doom, and the
thousands Of SPECTATORS were following
close behind. Down st. Asaph street
to King street the mob moved rapidly
TO LeadbeAter's corner, before con-
venient point was found for the execu-
tion. There were policemen protest.
ing against the summary punishment,
but thsitrsSEds were anheeded.
In 15&z4 llHg the rope was thrown
over tEVnP post, willing hands pull
ed at the loose end, and in q few mo-
ments Thomas' life went out. The
body, after it had been riddled with
bullets, was removed to an undertak-
er's establishment where it was view
ed by thousands.
Soon Afterward the mob dispersed,
and there was little disorder about the
city. The colored people of the city,
who had threatened resistance, were
thoroughly coweds and no demonstra-
tions were made on their part.
RxcrrEMENT KARIy nDkY.
Considerable excitement reigned in
the lower end of town early this morn
ing. This was the forerunner of to-
nights lynching, and was occasioned
by the appearance Of q large and well
organized body of colored men, who
had gathered from various parts OF the
city when it becaHe known that Thorn
as was locked up at the police station
on the charge Of attempting to crimi-
nally assault upon Lille Clarke. The
colored men claimed that they had in
formation that an attempt would be
made to lynch Thomas, and they did
not propose to stand by and see one Of
their race lYnched. They openly avow-
ed their intention of protecting him st
all costs.
Lieut.. Smith reported the matter to
the Mayor, and was instructed to dis
perse the mob, and arrest ali who re-
fused to obey the law. The Lieuten-
ant returned, and with a squad Of po-
licemen composed OF Officers Bettis,
Beach, Young, Hall. Dean, Howson,
Spinks, Lyles, and Atkinson, met the
mob, and ordered them to disperse.
This they refused to do whereupon Al
fred Green. James Turley, Edward
Gibson, Alfred Mason, Harry McDon-
oIA al Rnn
John HAskins, James Alexander, Ed
ward J ayne, Richard Washington, and
Thomas Ely were placed und sr ar
rest. Several of the above when search
ed, were found to be armed with pis-
tolls, butcher knives, raZors and stones.
After the arrests were made the Ne
groes seemed to think that no attempt
would be made to lynch Thomas.
They slowly separated ard went to
their homes. The prisoners were TAX
en- before the Mayor this morning,
when T1rley, Gibs6n, Green, Mason,
and Mcdonald weE0 fined $50 ea3h for
carrying concealed weapons and incit-
ing q riot. The others were fined $40
each on the charge of melting riot.
After their cases had been disposed OF
the case Of Benjamin Thomas was call
| ed. There was q decided stir in the
| courtroom when Thomas was brought
in between two officers and lodged in
the dock. The witnesses against him
were Mr. and Mrs. Clarke and Lille
the eight-yeAr-old girl upon whom the
assault was attempted.
TESTIMONY OF THE PARENTS.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarke told OF sending
the little girl TO Thomas house sor ar
AK. and of her appearance when she re.
| turned. Lille was then placed upoI
the stand and detailed her visit to the
house. saying that when she called
Thomas was sitting inside the hall, oE
the stairs, She asked for the Ak and