The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-17
GA|N By MASKED MOB
Palmetto the Scene Of a
Horrible LynChlng.
FOURDEAD, THREE WOUNDED
DsfanSeIeSS Negroes Shot by De-
tsrmined Men.
WERE CHARGED WITH ARSON
Governor Offers Reward for Arrest
Of LynCherS.
WERE CHARGED WITH ARSON

Palmetto, Ga. March 16-Twenty men,
armed and masked, rode into this little
town at an early hour this morning, and
put to death four negroes, fatally wound
ed one, shot another and broke the arm
Of a seventh man.
Two others who were of the crowd upon
which the bullets were showered, mirac-
ulously escaped.
These unfortunates were under guard
Of three men awaiting the hour of 9
o'clock when they were to have hearing
before a justice of the peace on the charge
of arson.
William Cotton, the leader of the nine
men, confessed some time ago that a con-
spiracy had been entered into which result
ed in two incendiary fires here in Febru-
airy, and on this evidence the men were
to have been tried, the dead ore:
WILLIAM COTTON, JR.
HARRISON HUDSON.
ED BROWN.
HENRY BINGHAM.
Fatally wounded, John Bigby.
Wounded. John Jameson, George Ia
tum, arm broken.
Ison Brown and Clem Watts the other
members of the gang, escaped injury. Aft
er the inquest they were turned loose, and
left on the train for Atlanta.
The town is quiet tonight, under the
protection of the Capital City Guards of
Atlanta and posse of seventy-five we'll
armed citizens.
MOb's Advent Mysterious.
The negroes were confined in the office
Of the johnson warehouse, a one-story
stone building, just across the track from
The Atlanta and West Point depot. They
We're arrested yesterday and tied together
with rope and were passing the night un-
der the protection of three guards sworn
in for that purpose. Their preliminary
trial was set for o'clock this morning
About ! o'clock this morning twenty
men, mounted and masked. rode up to the
Warehouse and dsmounted without wait
ing TO announce themselves to the guards
within, they easily forced the door of the
warehouse, and second later stood in
the office of the Johnson company where
the negroes were lying on the floor around
tne fire. The guards were covered by
NIhchesters, and, with hands up, were
marched to one side of the little room and
STOOD against the wall.
Appealed for Mercy in Vain.
The negroes, who were frightened into
Neuce by the bursting of the door, now
realized their peril. Scream after scream
"ent up from the victims as they saw the
s'eam of firearms in the dim light from
lAe fireplace. Their appeals for mercy
We're unheeded
Il snort, heavy set man, whose features
Were completely concealed by white
u'Hdkerchief, acted as leader. He cursed
u'c packs into silence for moment and
"'u ms men to get ready. After looking
at each negro he commanded them 10 get
'p lhe trembling crying wretches. lug
sHs at their ropes in vain effort to get
away obeyed the words of the mob's
l''1'r. last appeal for mercy went un-
u''ued and the word Fire rang out in
'ae l-ttle room.
Ine Volley filled the room with fire and
,iNohe, and the negroes fell in heap on
we moor The noise awakened the little
own, and as light began TO twinkle in
"""oWs mere and there, a second volley
a'ei the doom of those who were fortu-
nae enough TO escape the murderous fire
Vi The first charge.
Fired Into PROSTATE Forms.
AS jhe mob made ready TO depart three
Iour men with pistols sent bullets INTO
Prostfale forms ON the floor and in
s''r OF a few minutes after the masked
"'1o mad entered Johnson's warehouse on
.''Ir murderous errand they had COM
p'.'-a their work and were on their wav
10y on the backs of fleet horses
"'oh the citizens began to arrive at tho
mouse, being under the impression
''t 'he guards were being murdered by
~ negro prisoners. When the horror Of
dIlalr was known, Mayor Arnold tele-
-9ied Gov Gambler at Atlanta Of the
renee and asked for some militia. He
'." "eputlzed seventy-hve citizens TO pre
order, and arming them with rifles.
'ae town. P'i % u
Scene Was Sickening.
s,D'Eusht In the warehouse revealed
All t"Hg scene Blood covered The floor
t tae walls were indented with bulleia
,ON WmchesterS and other arms. Wives
, 'hlldren Of the negroes 10 whom the
OF the tragedy had spread on rapd
'Es' knelt by the bodies Of their dead
'l endeavored to console the wounded
cIles of the negro families filed the
'"' and sent a shock through the hear
ni,' 'ofs bent over the wounded and ad-
mustered to their wants AZ intervals un-