The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-17
The Town Had Recently Been Twice
Almost Destroyed by Fire.
THE LYNCHING WAS SYSTEMATIC
The Guard Was Ovcrpowercd. the
Firing Done by Count and the Men
Departed Whence They Came.
Governor Candlcr Has Or
dcrcd Out the Militia
and All is Quiet.

PALMEIIO, Ia Mdlch W "th'S
men, armed and masked, rode into this
little town az an early hour this morning
and put 10 death four negroes. fatally
wounded one, shot another, and broke
the arm Of a seventh man. Two others.
who were Of the crowd upon which the
bullets we're showered, miraculously es-
capped.
These unfOrtunates were under guard Of
three men awaiting the hour OF o. clock,
when they were 10 have a 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 q
conspiracy had been entered into which
resulted in two incendiary fires here IN
February. and on this evidence the men
were TO have been tried.
The dead are-Wlluam Cotton Jr,
Harr SON Hudson, Ed. Brown, Henry
Bingham.
Fatally wouuded-John Bingby.
WounGed-John Jameson, George Tatum
(arm broken).
fsom Brown and Glenn Watts, the other
two members of the gang, escaped IN
jury.
After the inquest they were turneG
loose and left on the train for Atlanta.
The town is quiet tonight and under
the protection of the Capital city Guards
of Atlanta and a posse OF seventy-hye well
armed citizens.
IArROVIsED JAIL.
The negroes We're confined in the office
Of the Johnson Warehouse, "a one story
stone building just across the track from
the Atlanta and West Point depot Th.y
were arrested yesterday and, tied to-
gether with ropes, were passing the nlsnt
under the protection Of three guards
sworn in for that purpose. Their prellm-
mary trial was set Tor 9 o clock this morh-
ing.
About o'clock this morning. about
twenty-five men masked and mounted
rode up 10 the warehouse and dismounteo
without waiting 10 announce themselves
10 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 Tying
ON the floor around the fire. Tho guards
were covered by Wnchesters and with
hands mp were marched TO one side OF the
little room and stood against the wall.
The negoes who were frightened into
silence by the bursting in of the door,
now realized their peril. Scream AFTER
scream went up from the victims as lhey
saw the CLEAN OF firearms IN the aim
light from the fireplace. Their appeals
Co- mercy were unheeded. A short. heavy
set man. whose features were completely
concealed by a white handkerchief acted
as leader He cursed the blacks INTO
silence for moment and told his men TO
get ready After looking at each negro
bo commanded them 20 get up. The
trembling. crying wretches tuggng az
their ropes in 2 vain effort 10 get away,
obevod the words of the mob's leader. \
last 1une1t for mercy went unheeded
and tho word "hre" rang out in the little
room The v0iiey hued the room with
fire ana smoke and the negroes fell in "a
heap on the floor.
The noise awakened the little town. and
rs lights began 70 twinkle IN windows
Aere and there. second voley sealed the
doom on those who were fortunate enough
To escape the murderous fire OF the nrst
MADE TT CERTAIN.
A tho mob made ready 10 depart three
or four men with pistols sent bullets into
the PROSTATE forms on the floor and in-
side of ten miutes after the masked crew
had entered J0hnson's Warehouse on
their murderOus errand, they mad COM
pleted their work. and We're ON their way |
10 safety on the backs Of feet horses
Soon citizens began 10 arrive at the |
tfiNB hiHft tHN *''iF+ ''''f'' I
that the guards were murdered by the |
negro prisoners. When the horrors Of the |
affair was presented Mayor Arnold tele- |
phored Governor Gambler at Atlanta |
Of the occurrence. and asked FOR some |
militia. lie then deputized seveuty-hve |
citizens 10 preserve order, and armlng ]
them with rifles placed them on duty IN I
different parts Of the town.
4 SCENE OF BLOOD.
Daylight i'm the warehouse revealed n !
sickcning sight Blood covered the floor |
and the walls were indented with bullets !
from Winchesters and other arms. Wives |
and children OF the negroes. TO whom |
the news % the tragedy had spread on |
rapid wings. kBelt By the bodies Of their !
dead. and endeaVored 10 console the |
The cries of the negro fami-
les filled the room. and sent "a shock |
through the hearers. Doctors bent over /
he wounded and administered 10 their
wants at intervals until noon, when |
friends OF the injured came and removed
hem 10 their homes
Tire dead. whose bodies were horribly |
nangied, remained where they were uu-
an shortly after noon. when A coroners
ury was emoannelied. In the absence
" Coroner Dunlap. Justice of the Peace
,ommings summoned the jury and con-
lucted the inquest.
SYSTEMATICALLY DONE.
Clem. Watts. one Of the negroes who
miracuously escaped being shot was
he first witness lie said; "I was at the
warehouse and a crowd OF masked men,
lbout twenty. called upon the guards
. thcow up their hands. They made
hem leave the guard room. The leader
hen ordered his men to fire on the pris-
,ners. first counting one. two. three
rhe men afterwards loaded and fred
gain"
Guard Baker testified that the mob
HE'D the room and tho guards we're
orced 10 the wall. 1.-The leade- OF the
mob gave a count and the shooting be-
ran. They had pistols shot guns and
Vinchesters They did not stay over five
minutes. / don't know which way they
anne or which way they left"
J J. Morris. the other guard examined.
'aid: II was guarding the prisoners
bout o'clock. A crowd OF masked men
anne into the room by forcing the door
men. and ordered the guards back. The |
prisoners were commanded 20 llne up
nd then order 20 fire was given. which |