The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-25

He overlook the lynchers with their VIC
tim at Palmetto and then ensued, with
only the moonlight to brighten the faces
of these grim men, the wierdest and most
dramatic scene this section has ever
known. Lige Strickland was halted di-
rectly opposite the telegraph office The
moose was adjusted around his neck and
the end of the rope was thrown over a
tree. Strickland was told that he had a
chance, before dying, to confess to his
completely in the crime. He replied: Il
have told you all 1 know, gentlemen. You
can kill me If you wish, but have moth
ing more to tell"
The negro's life might have been ended
then, but for the arrival of Major
Thomas, who leaped from his buggy and
asked for a hearing. He asked the crowd
to give the negro a chance for his life
here on the streets of Palmetto, and said
Gentlemen, this negro is innocent. Hose
said Lige had promised to give him $40 to
kill Alfred Crawford, and I believe Lige
has not had $50 since he has been on my
place. He has never done any Of YOU any
harm, and now l want you to promise ne
you will turn him over TO the baillff of
the town in order that he may be given a
hearing. I do not ask that you Eberate
him. Hold him, and if the courts adjudge
him guilty, hang him.
To this the mob replied that Strickland
had infamed the negroes in the neigh5or-
hood and had a bad reputation, having
been run away from East Point several
years ago. Major Thomas reminded the
mob that the negro had voluntarily told
of seeing Hose on the night of the muir
der. A member Of the mob replied that
Strickland had done this in the cunning
ness of his guilt, to establish his own
innocence. There were, however, those
who agreed with Major Thomas, and after
a discussion vote was taken which WAS
supposed to mean life or death to Lige
Strickland. The vote to let him live was
unanimous. Major Thomas then retired
some distance and the mob was preparing
to send Strickland in a wagon to Newman
when a member of the mob cried out:
'E:-c have got him here; let's keep him"
Tbs again aroused the mob and a mas
scnger was sent to Major Thomas to leave
Palmetto for his own good, but the Cd
gentlemen was not frightened. He Drew
himself up and said emphatically: Il nave
never tefore been ordered to leave u town,
and an not going to leave this one."
Ard then the major, uplifting his hard
t. sve his words force, said to the N C.
s,ngar: TELL them that the muse, IS in
my legs are not trained to running; tell
them I have stood the fire and lie; I'd
:he whistle Of the minies from a no lsond
Yankee r'fesl and 1 am not frightened
by this crowd"
Major Thomas was not molested.
Then, with the understanding that Lige
Strickland was to be delivered to the
jailer at Firburn, Major Thomas saw the
negro he had pleaded for, led off to his
death. The mob took the negro to u drive
near the home of Marshal ]. J. Givens
of this place, and again the moose was
adjusted around his neck. He WAS hauled
off the ground, but was let down 20 allow
him to confess. He refused TO do so ard
the iynchers were about to haul him Up
again when the son of Marshal Givens
came upon the scene and asked that the
lynching not occur so near his fathers
home. The negro was then taken to the
yard in the rear of DR.. w. S. Seelar's
home and tied up to persimmon tree and
left hanging.
A eoroners jury this afternoon held an
inquest at Palmetto and rendered the
usual verdict-death at the hands Of par
ties unknown.
Another mob is hunting the country for
Albert Sewell, who has been making him
self obnoxious by remarks concerning the
whites. There is not much prospect of
his capture, however, as he has been out
of town two days.