The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-08

Thirteen Men to BE Tried for Killing the
Postmaster-JudEe Brawley's Charge.

Thirteen Men to BE Tried for Killing tho
Brawley's Charge.
CHARLESTON. S. C., April THE Grand Jury
In the United States Circuit Court to-day re-
turned a true bill against thirteen white citi-
zsns OF Lake City. s. C. who are charged with
lynching. The band was arrested for having
killed Postmaster Frazier b. Baker. q negro.
Baker was appointed Postmaster at Lake City
and was warned by the white people to move
away. He refused and several attempts were
made to kill him. These did not prove sue
cessful and then q mob was made up to do the
work.
Baker and his family lived In q small franc
house. which was also used as a Post Office.
At midnight the mob gathered. poured oil on
tho place and set it on fire. Baker and one
child were killed by bullets fred from the
woods nearby and his wife and fve children
were badly wounded. The Office and every
thing RAJ destroyed. The Government pro-
ceeded against the mob. and thirteen o, the
men supposed to he rinGlsaders were arrested.
Two Of them. Newhall and Lee. turned state $
evidence. and told the details OF the affair and
gave names Of men in the party.
The Jury was out less than an hour to-day
and returned a true bill against alleged lynchers
Ward, Webster. Mcknight. Stokes. Goodwin.
Epps. JOINER. Kelly. Clark. AloRZo Rogers. Ed
win Rogers. Newhall and Lee. The trial will
begin Monday and will last two weeks. There
are 100 witnesses. The evidence against tho
prisoners is said TO be very strong. and a hard
fight will be mado by the Government for .
conviction.
In his charge to the Grand Jury Judge Braw W.
ley was severe. He went over the facts In the
ease and instructed.the Jury as to its duties,
A more heinous crime has rarely dark
ened he history Of the State. - said the Court.
ct would DO an everlastinG renroaeh TO- our
,hnrpAl 18th fhn admin lar nfinn ~ fhA lnupa
orlme. It was stated In the newspapers at tho
time. and 1T is probably true. that Baker was
pointed to serve. 1t Is not for this Court tn
EXPRESS any opinion on that point or to at.
tsmpt to measure the moral rssponsihility Of
conditions which aroused the, popular fury to
such an extent that that should be considered
tecuation of this dreadful crime. No consid-
Grafton Of that kind can furnish palliaAon or
excuse for the horrible offences charged in
Whatever reason may have existed for the
feeIine:nt the community on this subject. there
ing might manifest itself. and. other and legal
remedies for sT~Mch.complnlLts whether well or
III f9SS :. n The ye.y f0 oiII atd Of society
ments which IN every community require the
Wholesale restraints OF the law are allowed
charge public functions and kill and burn the
objects OF their displeasure.
The most tenn arate 0nt OF tho Of
fence charged IN this indictment. the lmplest
detail OF the circumstances attending the, ex-
So calculated to excite the horror OF ali Just.
minded men that the Court f~orhears to make
any further comment; 1t can have no opinion
charged until all the evidence which in dlo
Gourss OF law will he presented is before 1t.
the machinery Of the law which will enablo the
Government to present its proofs"