The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-07

MAYsvII.LE. Ky, Dec. s.--Richard Cole
man, colored. confessed murderer Of Mrs.
James Iashbrook. wife Of his employer,
expiated his crime in daylight today ut the
hands Of moS consisting OF thousands Of
citizens by burning at the stake. after slf-
fering torture and fright beyond descrip-
ton. The dreadful spectacle occurred on
the peaceful cricket grounds Of this. ono
of the oldest and among the proudcst cities
of Kentucky.
Barbarities beyond belief.
Tho barbarities inflicted upon this young
negro by citizens OF one of the most highly
civilized cities of the state are almost be-
ycnd belief. and can only be accounted for
by the intense horror created by long con-
sideration OF the atrocious crime Of which
full confession had been made by Coleman.
story OF HIS Crime.
Just two months ago Richard Coleman,
the trusted employe of Farmer James
Lashbrook, In a moment OF depravity ana
savagery not equaled In the annals OF
crime, murdered the woman who had been
his benefactress. Coleman was not only
employed on the farm. but had been In
stalled as a house servant. and was trusted
implicitly by both Mr.. L.arhbrook and his
wife, On the day Of the murder Mr,
Lashbrook was at work some distances
away from the house. Coleman was lefe
in charge Of the house. Mrs. Lashhr0ok
had driven to Maysyillo and returned.
when Coleman asked her to enter the cs11ln
to look at some work at which he had
been engaged The negro locked the door
on the inside Mrs. I4ashbrook became
frightened and screamed. Coleman struck
her on the head. knocking her down, but
not stopping her cries. He then seized
razor and cut her throat. lie picked up
the bleeding body and placed i on the
bed. He then left the room, but, refurning
heard her still groanins. and with an az
he struck her repeatedly on the head Until
he was cure she was cead.
informed the Husband.
Without any show Of alarm or remorse
for his crime. the negro calmly washed the
blood from his hands and clothing ana
went TO where Mr.. Lashbrook was at work
In the field and told him that he had bet
ter comes to the house, az someone had
killed his wife. Mr.. Lashbrook DID not
take the matter seriously until Coleman M
sisted that his wife was dead. Even then.
so great was the confidence of Mr.. Lash-'
brock In Coleman. that no thought CO.
CURED that he was the murderer.
Coleman Partially Confesses.
II was not until after the officers ar
rived that suspicion was directed against
Coleman. Blood spots had been found on
his clothing, but he accounted for them BY
ba hol
That night, however. at Maysville partial
confession was obtained, and knowing the
result IL that fact should become known.
the officers quietly took him to Coving-
ton, KY, for safe-keeping. He was in-
dicted for the murder. Shortly after his
incarceration at Covington he made a conl-
plete and horrible confession OF his crime
to the jailer. The story OF his revolving
crime, including worse than murder, was
told without any appearance Of feeling by
the prisoner.
Mob IL Formed.
This confession becoming public, aroused
a feeling of Indignation against the pris-
oner among the relatives and friends Of
the victim, which made 1t morally certain
that the officers OF the law would be pow.
er,ess to prevent a summary vengeance
at inc IuSt SAI thc dntuok~..
tiles at Maysville did not act upon that
basis. There was no call upon the gov-
ernor for troops to protect the prisoner.
On Tuesday Sheriff Perrine, under orders
of Judge Harbeson. with four assistants.
went to Covington, expecting to return
with Coleman on Tuesday night. but after
reaching Covington the jai.er at Mays
vile wired him not to attempt to bring
the prisoner into Maysvlle at night.
Taken From the OAscers.
The trial was set for today. Sheriff Per-
rine determined to leave Covington by ths
train on the Chesapeake & Ohio. which
started at 1890 o'clock Wednesday morning
from Cincinnati and Covington Coleman
had been apprised Tuesday night to pre-
pare to return to the scene Of his crime.
He was instantly stricken with fear and
begged piteously to be permitted to remain
in Covington until after his trial. He said
he expected to die. but he dreaded the
vengeance OF mob. When he was hand
cuffed on leaving the Jail at Covington. he
was almost paralyzed, and had to be as
sisted to the patrol wagon. The crowd
about the jail there and at Covington der
pot added to his fear. On entering the
train he seemed unable to sit down until
one Of the guards forced him into eeat.
II developed that In the crowd at coving-
ton and even on the train there were s3me
Of the relatives Of MrA Lashbrook ready