The record-union., 1899-03-17
MOB LAW IN GEORGIA.
FOUR NEGROES PUT TO DEATH
AT PALMETTO.
Were Under Arrest on Suspicion of
Starting Several Fires
of Late.

PALMETTO (Ga.), March 16.-Four
uead negroes lie in Johnson's ware
mouse. Beside them, groaning in agony,
are iiVe more OF their race, all victims
OF an assault made by the white men
OF this city at an early hour this morn
Ing. Ihe negroes, who were shot down
While begging for mercy, lie where they
fell ON the blood soaked floor of the
improvised Jail, where they were held
on charges of arson
Citizens are patrolling the main street
of the town and dispensing an occa-
sional group of muttering negroes. who
seem determined to get some form of
revenge for the slaughter of four of
their race.
The scene at Johnson's warehouse,
where the nine negroes were confined,
and Which is now filled with the dead
and dying, is revolving and miserable
one. Blood covers the floor, and the
blackened walls are indented with rifle
shots. Wives and children of negroes
collected by their side in the dimly
lighted room, piercing the air with
cries and means.
Mayor Arnold has summoned a guard
of seventy-five citizens to patrol the
streets and warehouses, and every citi-
zen seen on the streets is armed with
gun. The situation is believed to be
practically under control, owing to the
work of the Mayor
The Palmetto cotton mills shut down
for the day on account of the excite
ment
The mob was composed of 80 men.
Where they came from is a mystery, so
far as the people of the town know.
That some of the people of Palmetto,
but not the better class, We're in the
mob, goes without saying. Every face
was masked, and when the warehouse
was reached the special guard of five
men were covered without word In
minute the mob was in the big ware
house, and the fusillade opened The
frightened negroes sent up yell after
yell, begging for mercy, but it had no
effect on the mob. When its work was
finished the masked mob turned and
quickly disappeared as it had appear
ed, on horseback.
Two fires of incendiary origin have
occurred here this year, one on Febru-
ary 23d, and the other five days later.
destroyed. Nine negroes We're arrest
ed ON suspicion, and taken to Johnson's
warehouse to await preliminary trial.
which was to have taken place this
morning. Yesterday the leader of the
gang, Bud Cotton, is said to have made
written confession of the guilt of
himself and associates. He was the
first to die in the mob's bloody work
The negroes frequently have threaten
ed in the last week to burn Fairburn,
the county seat, and it is reported that
the mob came largely from that town.
The Capitol City Guards arrived at
IL o'clock. and were put on patrol duty
in different parts of the town. The citi-
zens are apprehensive of an uprising of
negroes tonight. At noon friends of
the wounded arrived at the warehouse
and were given those injured. Glen
Watts, one of those who had put in the
morning groaning loudly, was carefully
carried to a wagon and taken home
Upon his arrival there it was found
that he did not bear a scratch. John
Bigby is badly wounded and cannot
recover.
REWARD FOR APPREHENSION OF
MEMBERS OF THE MOB.
ATLANTA (Ga.), March 16.-Gov-
ernor Gambler to-day issued a proca-
nation offering a reward of $500 for
the apprehension and delivery of the
first member of the mob, and further
reward of 500 for each additional per-
son implicated in the killing of the
four negroes at Palmetto this morning.
The Governor said: 81 regard the out
rage as simply inexcusable. These
men had been arrested, as I am inform
ed, and proof was at hand to convict
them. The law was amply able to- pun