The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-07
BURNED ALIVE BY A MOB.
NEGRO PUT TO DEATH B5RBAR-
OUSLY ~ MArSpTLLE, XII.
wns Being Taken to Court to he Tried for
Murder to Which He Had Confesscd-
Mob Made Preparations to Take Hin
Tortured by Knives In Addition to Fire.

Tortured by Knives In Addition to Fire.
NASHVILLE. Ky. Dec @. Richard Coleman.
negro. IL years old, the murderer OF Mrs. Mary
Iashbrook In this county. on Oct D lasf. was
taken to-day from the officers bringing him
here for trial. aud burned at the stake. Cole
man had been in Jail a: CovinRton and hal
made confession Io was arrested short
time after the body OF Mrs. Lashbrook was
found. but the officials succeeded in spiriting
him away from this place. and IL was believed
the excitement had suhsided 10 nm extent that
would at least permit OF Il speedy trial with
conviction assured.
In his confession Coleman said that he met
Mrs. Lashbrook in the yard and seized her
She was strong and no was knocked down.
When he reGained his balance no picked up an
axe which was lying nearby and struck her on
the head. She fell forward and became I'M
conscious After he realized what he had done
he took up the axe again and chopped her
body. He then fed when James Lashbrook.
tho husband. arrived he found the body. A
party was organized 10 search for the MUIR
dcrcr.
At once Coleman was SUSPECTED. He was
missing. Sheriff Hodge was notified. Tho
negro had made his way to town aud was ar
rested tho following day. His trial was set for
this term OF court and yesterday six special
deputies were sworn In by tbs sheriff
aud sent after him. They were De-
tective Fitzgerald Constable Dawson. Chief
OF Pollce Dot-9,nn, James Robertson. William
Smms and James Mnckay They were OK
pec,ed 10 reach here last night at 10 O'Clock.
Relatives OF Lashbrook had a mob organized
several weeks ago and had kept the facts from
tho officers The member OF the mob were at
the station last night but were orderly that
the officials beloved the people were merely
! attracted by curiosity. However. when Cole
man could not be found on the train II WAS
feared no had been put of at some way station
aud that he would be slippcd into the Jail by
some other route. A body " men went to the
jail and searched IT, After this II guard was
thrown around the Jail andpickcts put out in
every direction,
Newspaper correspondents were forbidden
| to report the matter. II being thu intention OF
! the people - keen the knowledge OF the mob
| from Gov. Bradley. Friends NJ the Govcrnor
dared not send personal nsssSsagss '9T fear on
graph office was guarded and during the who'll,
night the town wT2s under the control
| was 70. arrive at 10 O'Clock this morn.
a Mns" fSs %w a RS.S snS we're seH
use tying TO save Tx i.i.,oi the negro, Men
| taken from tho train Coleman WAS found
He was in charge Of the six deputies. but the
|
prisoner. made no resistance, The mob seized
| him and dragged him out OF tho coach.
| Herbert Long, n relative Of Mrs, l.nshbrook,
hes idr himself with rage. burst through tho
! mob liz his hand wns n revolver. shouting
| shoot him The mob had another tate In store
| for him Long was seized aud thrust aside.
Tho crowd then organ zc with the leaders n
| charge OF the negro, who wna terror-str!cken
| and could not stand Ho wns dragged over the
road TO The place which ha been desiSnnted as
! the sreno OF execution. About half square
/ from the Court Hous" wasH saping. To this
| the man hound the wretch with stout cords.
| BRING the brush" shouted the leaders.
| Hundred. dragged forward fuel for the ryre 81
! The murderer. He had been shouting and
screaming in agony and writhed In vain to free
| himself from his bonds The brush was piled
| about him TO the middle Of his body-all good
| dry wood that would burn quickly.
| Fire IT. was shouted.
| Is believed thNt the husband OF the murdered
| woman was the first to touch the pile. Az the
| flames arose the ncgro's cries were renewed
! above the cracking hut the fury OF the mob
| was not appcG-eh. II had drawn back short
distance from tho snpng. suddenly Two
! fame, had not vet reached Co.emnn's head In
| rago they hacked out the ncRro's eyes. The
| men were soizsi and dragged back and the
| fire. was allowed to c0mr'rtc the work. Cole
| man kept atraining and Juggling to get away.
| Now and then he would seem 20 gather effort
! for ons supreme attempt and he would strain
! aud tug. hut To no avail Then he FOL! forward
unconscious and the flames finished their
! work.
Luke Pettus. u newspeper editor from Saynn:
| nah, Ga. who witnessed tho lynchinR. arrived
| in Lexington to- night and said:
| Coleman died u horrible death Oil was
| poured over his head and red pepper was
sprlnklcd into his flesh after the eyes were cut