The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-07
NEGRO'S HlDEOUS CRIME
RICHARD COLEMAN MURDERED
HIS BENEFACTREsS.
CooLLY coNFESsf, TIL. DEED TO JAlLE
he Day Set for Trial He Was Torn from the
Officers by'a furious Mob, Bound
to a Stake and Roasted 10
Death

bCQNia
Maysyille. Ky, Dec. 6.-Richard Cole
man. (colored), confessed murderer OF
Mrs. James LashbrooS, wife of his EN-
ployer. expiated his crime in daylight to-
day at the hands Of a mob, consisting of
thousands of citizens, by burning at the
stake after suffering indescrbabe tor
tr~e.
The dreadful spectacle occurred on the
peaceful Cricket Grounds on Tie out
skirts of this city.
Just two months ago Richard Coleman,
the trusted enploye of Farmer James
I.ashbrook, murdered the woman who
had been his benefactor. Coleman had
been left in charge of the house. Mrs.
Lashbrook had driven to Maysyille and
returned. when Coleman asked her to
enter his cabin to look at some work on
which he had been engaged The negro
locked the door on the inside. Mrs.
Lashbrook became frightened and
screamed Coleman struck her on the
head knocking her down, but not stop
ping her cries. He then seized a razor and
cut her throat He picked up the bleed
ing body and placed it on the bed. He
then left the room, but returning, heard
her still groaning and with an axe he
struck her repeatedly on the head until
he was sure she was dead. The negro
washed the blood from his hands and
clothing and went to where Mr.. Lash
brook was at work in the field and told
him that he had better come to the
house, as some one had Killed his wife,
1t was not untl after the officers ar
rived that suspicion was directed against
Coleman Bloodspots had been found on
his clothing, but he accounted for that
by saying that he had heen killing cnlck-
ems. That night, however. at Maysville,
partial confession was obtained and,
knowing the result if that fact should
become known. the officers quietly took
him to Covington, KY. for safe keeping.
He was indicted for the murder. Short
" after his Incarceration at Covlngton,
he made a complete confession OF ms
crime to the jailer. The story of his
crime. including worse than murder, was
told without any appearance Of feeling
by the prisoner.
MURDERER SEIZED BY THE MOB
The trial was set for today. Messages
we're at once sent here by relatives OF
Mrs. Lashbrook. As the train
puffed slowly into the old sta
ton mob formed ON both sides
in two long hut closely huddled crowds.
Armed men stationed themselves at the
platforms Of all the cars and warmed the
frightened passengers to remain quiet
and not to interfere. The sheriff and his
assistants were strongly armed, and there
was some resistance as the leaders of the
mob jostled roughly against them and
demands were uttered from the outer,
fringes of the crowds for the prisoner.
Sheriff Perrine made a bold movement
and started walking swiftly but with no
Indications of panic from the car. A step
behind him followed the officers with
Coleman in their midst. seeking to con-
ceal himself behind the brawny forms of
his protectors.
As the officers proceeded the numbers
Of the mob were constantly swelled by
new arrivals and through the down town
business streets to the court house they
were closely followed Hundreds of
stones and other missiles were thrown, |
and revovers and rifles were freely dis
played. The prisoner was frequently !
struck and he presented a frightful APP
pearance. the blood streaming from
wounds ON his face and head. AT the I
court house mob OF over 1000 men,
headed by James Ilashbrook, the hus-
DaDus udu DHt'fl ldSlliY IOlhhcto. = We
mand for the prisoner was made. There |
was a brief struggle in which weapons |
were hastily drawn by the off GERS, and !
then the sheriff and his assistants We're
overcome by force Of numbers and the |
prisoner was seized by the leaders of /
the mob. The prisoner was dragged |
along nv ropes loosely attached to his /
body. He was the target again of hun- /
dreds of missiles and several times he
sank half-consoious to the ground while I
the crowd pressed forward, striking at
him with clubs, sticks and whips until I
his head and body were scarcely recog-
nizable. More dead than alive he was
dragged along and forced to his feet.
Scores Of women joined the men. The
wretch could be heard pleading for his
life. but the cry OF the prisoner was
answered with an oath and a blow.
BURNED AT THE STAKE
The place OF execution had been select
ed weeks ago. and all the other details
of the programme mapped out by the
leaders Of the mob. The prisoner was
strapped against a tree, facing the hus-
hand OF the victim. Large quantities Of
dry brush and larger bits Of wood were
piled around him while he was praying
for speedy death. James L1Shbrook, the
husband Of the victim. applied the first
match to the brrshwood A brother of
the victim struck the second match.