Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-06
Awful Fate of Negro Murderer at
Maysyille, Kentucky.
dashed TO SAPLING and BURNED
Eyes Cut Out and Head Crushed
During the Ordeal.
LYNCHERS NOT DISGUISED

NASHVILLE, KY. December 6-Dick
coleman, the negro murderer of Mrs
Lashbrook, was taken from the officers by
| a mob of 1000 men today and burned at
the stake. The mob, led by the husband
of the negro's victim. dragged the Shrek
Ing criminal through the principal streets
OF the town, bound him to a small tree,
set fire to the brush and stood guard until
he was dead.
Coleman arrived at 1920 o'clock this
morning, under a special guard of depu-
ties sworn in by the sheriff, including De-
tective Fitzgerald. Constable Dawson
Chief of Police Donovan. all the police
force and two deputy sheriffs. When they
arrived at the court house they were met
by mob of fully 1000 people. headed by
James Lashbrook, the husband of the MUIR
dered woman
The officers vera coppelled to deIivar
their prisoner. and the mob went immedi-
atey up I'd street through the central por-
ton Of the city, followed by fully 5000 Of
the citizens of the town and county.
No Attempt at Disguises.
No attempt at DISCUSSES was made by the
members Of the mob. They worked in grim
silence. scarcely a word being spoken be-
yond the curt Commands of their leader. A
dozen men dragged Coleman from the
grasp OF his guards, and, throwing rope
over his head, dragged him through the
streets. The wretch shrieked constantly
for mercy. pleading for his life at every
step.
The mob carried Coleman to a small hol-
low near the railroad. where they bound
him tightly to young sapling. Then they
heaped huge pile of brush wood and tim
Der around him and fired the stack, while
he continued his cries for help. Some one
cut out his eyes. and In a moment his head
rolled around, and he was believed to be
dead. dozen torches were applied stimuli
taneously, and huge tongues Of fire swept
up and around the senseless body. As the
flames burst forth the immense crowd
broke in to cheers, which continued as long
as the fire burned. Before the roasting be-
gan Coleman was almost dead. The rope
had torn and lacerated his neck and his
face was terribly beaten up:
About $50 men were at the Chesapeake
and Ohio train last night expecting him.
but as he failed to come they waited for
him this morning.
Had Been In CovingtOn Jail.
Coleman had been Kept in the jail at Cow
il.gton, KY, since his arrest because of fear
of mob. violence at Maysville. His trial
was to begin at sMaysyille today. and Judge
Harbeson had ordered that he be brought
to Maysville Tuesday night. A telegram,
however, from Maysville caused the sheriff
to delay starting until this morning. Cole
man was in mortal terror when he was
handcuffed today to be placed In the train.
He begged piteously to be allowed to stay
in Covington until after his trial was ended.
1t was stated that relatives of the Lash
brooks were in Covington last night and
were on board the train today for the pur-
pose, it is supposed. Of giving information
in case any effort was made to change the
destination of the prisoner.
The crime for which, Coleman was burned
was the murder of Mrs. James Lashbroek,
by whom he was employed She was en-
ticed by him to enter d shed to see about
and assaulted her. The blow was struck
with an oak stave. 1t was not effective
and Coleman, amid her cries for mercy
went to the house and procuring razor
cut her throat. He was arrested and re-
moved to Covington to escape mob vio-
lence.
Made n Full Confession.
He had been employed on the farm, also
acting as house servant. He had the COM
plete confidence of the Lashbrooks who
were well-to-do farmers At the Covington
jail Coleman made full confession, which
left no shadow Of doubt of his guilt
Coleman was burned near the spot where
Chas. Collins was hanged forty years ago
for a similar offense. The place Is now
used for cricket grounds. 1t is already an
nounced that Judge Harbeson will call a
special grand jury at once to consider
Siioi 6cS az dlilSt lcdueTS OF the mob TODAY.
Before Coleman was burned blue vitriol
and cayenne pepper were thrown into his
eyes, and his face was smashed In with q
chunk Of wood.
Coleman said fifteen minutes before he
was set afire that he had nothing to say.
After the flames reached him he seemed
to regain consciousness and his death was
slow. Many women were present during
the burning. Just before Coleman died
he raised his head and is reported to have
said: If you takes the flames away I want
to say something then he sank back and
died.