The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-24

negro TO Sheriff ]. L. Brown OF Coweta
county and get his receipt for same, that
no trouble would be had by Messrs. ]. b.
and ]. L. Jones of Marshaliville, his cap
tors, but Sheriff Brown refused to accept
the negro or give any receipt unless he
was first in Jail.
He was Immediately taken from the car
to the jail, where thousands of people
gathered. The papers were properly signed
and Hose placed in a cell to await proper
Identification, not that any doubt was ex-
pressed as to his being the right negro, for
he had several times confessed TO the kill
ing of Alfred Crawford. but all seemed
anxious for Mrs. Crawford to identify him.
Atkinson Hurried Away.
1t was here that ex-Gov. Atkinson at
tempted to gain laurels for his cap in
speech to the crowd. His remarks at first
were acceptable but when he announced
he had eyes and would assist in the prose
cution of every man present, if the law
was not allowed to take its course, he was
Immediately hurried away for his own
good.
The report then came that trainload of
soldiers was being hurried from Atlanta
to Newman, which caused the mob to act
al once, and the brute was forced from the
Jail, paraded through the streets of New
nan, followed by more than 1000 men, and
carried beyond the city limits TO answer
for his crime.
In marching through the city the home
of Mrs. McElroy, the mother of Mrs.
Crawford, was passed, and several ladies
were gathered in the yard, Mrs. McElroy
among them
The negro was carried to the fence when
very pathetic incident was witnessed.
Mrs. McElroy, in tears over the dastardly
crime and facing the william, asked: Sam,
why did You kill Alfred He answered
that Crawford had threatened him and he
knew of nothing else to do.
The Funeral Pyre.
Several questions were here asked and
answered. after which the mob proceeded
to pine grove just out of the city Hun
dreds Of men were seen with logs of
wood on their shoulders, while others car
ried oil and barrels.
and then made his final confession, in
which he said he killed Crawford, and
that he was paid 500 by Lge Strickland
for doing the job. He denied having com
mitted rape. He also denied knowing any
thing of the plot to assassinate six prom
inent men of Palmetto
His confession was simple and short, and
was only obtained by plain questions being
asked. He was locked 10 a pine tree by
a stout chain, and when the fire was APP
piled to his clothing so vigorously did he
pull at the bandages that his chains were
broken and he fell in a heap upon the
burning wood, where he tusselled with
life and death for more than fifteen min
utes.
AT O'Clock his lifeless body was being
consumed by the flames, and one hour lat
er the special for Griffin was leaving town
amid the shouts and cheers of the citizens
of that place.
Thus ends the life of the most awful
criminal in the history of Georgia
ss sN'IIOse's Many Crimes.
1t has been stated that Hose or, as his
captors cali him, and ii is his true name,
Tom Wilks, had, previous to his last crime,
confessed to committing rape upon a black
girl in Macon county, and also the killing
of DR.. and Mrs. Barrett, in this county,
several years ago. That he was wanted
in Macon county upon the charge of rape
is fact. but there is some doubt about
his Killing the Barretts.
]. 3. and ]. L. Jones, who captured him,
say he was with his mother, who works
on their place in Macon county, and they
had planned the capture, which worked all
right until they reached Griffin. Fearing
that he might be detected, they BACKED
his face, cut his hair, shaved him and COW
cred him with an oilcloth.
They are satisfied, and viii go to At
lanta tomorrow and claim their reward.