The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-25

preacher. who was implicated In the
Crawford murder by Sam Hose. was
found swinging 10 the limb of per-
simmon tree within a mile and quarter
OF this place early Monday. Before
death was allowed to end the sufferings
OF the negro his ears were cut of and the
small finger of his left hand was severed
at the second joint These trophies are
in Palmetto.
On the chest OF the negro was piece
OF bloodstained paper attached by an
ordinary pin. On one side OF this paper
was written:
New York Journal. We must pro-
tect our ladies. 23-99" The other side
of the paper contained a warning 10 tho
negroes OF the neighborhood. 1t read as
follows: Beware all darkies. You will
be treated the same way"
Before being lynched Strickland was
given a chance TO confess 10 the mis-
deeds OF which thA mob supposed him
10 be guilty. but he protested his inno-
cence to the last. Three times the moose
was placed around his neck and the
negro was drawn up off the ground;
three times he was let down with a warn
ing that death was in store for him
should he fail TO confess his completely
in the Crawford murder Three times
Strickland proclaimed his innocence. un-
I'll, weary OF useless torturing. the mob
pulled on the rope and tied the end
around the slender trunk OF the per-
simmon tree. Not shot was fired.
Strickland was strangled TO death.
The lynching OF Lige Strickland was
not accomplished without a desperate
effort on the part OF his employer TO save
his life. The man who pleaded for him
is Major w w. Thomas. an ex-state
senator. He did all In his power to pre-
vent the lynching OF the negro. and did
not discontinue his efforts until he had
been assured by the leaders of the mob
that the negro would be taken to Jail at
Fairburn.
one mile from the spot where this
promise was made Strickland was
hanged. The negro was a tenant on the
plantation OF Major Thomas.
When Sam Hose. the murderer Of AL
fred Crawford and the assailant of his
wife, made his confession. Immediately
prior TO his burning. he implicated
Strickland. Hose contending that he had
been offered money by Strickland TO kill
Crawford. 1t was known positively.
however. that Hose had made false
statements in his last confession. and
many of those who aided in his burning
were disposed to disregard his state
ment in regard 10 Strickland.
Late Sunday night about 10 men went
TO the plantation OF Major Thomas and
took Strickland from his little cabin in
the woods and left his wife and five chill
dren TO wait and weep over the fate they
knew was in store for the negro. Their
cries aroused Major Thomas, and that
sturdy old gentleman followed the
lynchers in his buggy. accompanied by
his son, determined TO save. If possible,
the life of his plantation darkey.
They overlook the lynchers with their
victim at Palmetto. and then ensued,
with only the moonlight TO brighten the
faces Of these grim men. a weird and
dramatic scene. Strickland was halted
directly 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 he had
chance before dying TO confess his COM
plicity in the crime. He replied
II have told you all know, gentlemen.
You can Kill me If you wish, but know
nothing 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,
and said:
Gentlemen. this negro is inIocent.
Hose said Lige had promised to give him
e. IL Il
believe Lige had $40 since he has been on
my place. He has never done any of you
any harm; / want you 10 promise me
that you will turn him over TO the bailiff
Of this town that he may be given hear
ing. / do not ask you to liberate him.
Hold him for the courts"
The mob replied that Strickland had
innamed the negroes in the neighbor-
hood and had a bad reputation. having
rua-away from Eastpoint several years
ago.
Major Thomas reminded the mob that
the negro had voluntarily told OF having
seen Hose on the night OF the murder.
one OF the mob replied that Strickland
had done this in the cunningness OF his
guilt to establish his own innocence.
There were some. however, who agreed
with Major Thomas, and after a dis
cussion n vote was taken which was
supposed to mean life or death to Strick-
land. The vote TO let him live was
unanimous. Major Thomas then retired
some distance and the mob was prepar-
ing to send Strickland I'm a wagon TO
Newman when a member OF the mob
cried out: I'VE have got him here; let's
keep him"
This aroused the mob and a messenger
was sent TO advise Major Thomas TO
leave Palmetto for his own good. but the
old gentleman was not frightened. RE
said emphatically: II have never been
before ordered TO leave a town. and am
not going TO leave this one"
And then the major, uplifting his hand
TO give his words force. said TO the mes