The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-12-07
A MONSTRNUS LYNCHING
Terrible Fate of a Self Confessed
Negro Murderer in Kentucky.
CRBMATBD IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

tim started the FIRE which Ended
His Life-No Attempt at Secrecy.
Mayville, KY, Dec 7.-Richard Cole
man, the confessed murderer of Mrs.
James Lashbrook wife of his employ
er. expiated his crime in daylight yes
terday at the hands of a mob, con-
sisting of thousands of citizens, by
burning at the stake after suffering
torture and fright beyond description.
Coleman was a trusted employe. Two
months ago, while Mr. Lashbrook was
at work some distance from the house,
Coleman asked Mrs Lashbrook to
enter the 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
stopping her cries He then seized a
razor and cut her throat. He picked
up the bleeding body and placed it on
the bed. He then left the room, but
returning and hearing her groaning
he struck her repeatedly on the head
with an AK.
The negro then washed the blood
from his hands and clothing and went
to where Mr.. Lashbrook 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 until
after the officers arrived that suspicion
was directed against Coleman. He
was arrested and taken to Covington
for safe keeping. Shortly after his
Incarceration at Covington he made
a complete confession to the jailer.
The story of his revolving crime, in
cluding worse than murder, was told
without any appearance of feeling
The trial was set for yesterday.
Coleman had been told Tuesday night
to prepare to return to the scene Of
his crime. He was stricken with fear,
and begged piteously to be permitted
to remain in Covington until after his
trial. On entering the train he seemed
unable to sit down until one of the
guards forced him into a seat It de-
veloped that in the crowd at Coving-
ton and even on the train there were
some of the relatives of Mrs. Lash
brook, ready to convey information If
any attempt was made to secrete the
prisoner
The prisoner, with his escort, arrived
here at 1920 O'Clock As the train
I
on both sides Armed men warned the
frightened passengers to remain quiet
and not to interfere Sberiff Perrine
made a bold movement and started
walking swiftly, but with no indica-
ton of panic, from the car. A step
behind him followed the officers, with
Coleman in their midst, seeking to
conceal himself behind the forms Of
his protectors. AS the officers pro-
ceeded hundreds of stones and other
missiles we're thrown, and revolyers
and rifles were freely displayed The
prisoner was frequently struck, and he
presented a frightful appearance.
At the court house a mob of over
| 1000 men, headed by James Lashbrook,
the husband, had been hastily formed.
The demand for the prisoner was made,
accompanied by threats from the lead
ers. There was a brief struggle, and
then the sheriff and his assistants were
| overcome and the prisoner pulled from
their midst. Through the center por-
| tion of the town the mob marched, the
| prisoner being dragged along with the
aid Of ropes loosely attached to his
| body. He was the target of hundreds
! of missiles, and several times he sank
! half conscious to the ground, while
| the crowd struck at him with clubs,
/ sticks and whips until his head and
/ body were scarcely recognizable. More
| dead than alive, he was dragged along
/ and forced to his feet. Scores OF wo-
/ men Joined the men, High above the
noise the wretch could be heard plead
ing for his life.
The place of execution had been Sc
lected weeks ago. At the cricket
grounds the prisoner was strapped
against a tree and large quantities of
dry brush and wood piled around him,
while he was praying for speedy death.
James Lashbrook, the husband OF the
victim, applied the first match to the
brushwood, and as a brother of the
victim struck the second match some
one was slashing at the prisoners
chest with a knife, Not a single shot
was fired, the purpose seeming to be
to give the wretch the greatest possible
amount and duration of torture. Pep
per was forced into his eyes after he
had been tied.
AS the flames arose Coleman's hor-
rors increased. and he made vain ef-
forts TO withdraw his lambs from the
fire, all the time begging for a drink
of water. The ropes were burned
and his body finally fell forward on the
burning pile, Even then, although II
was not certain whether he was living
or dead, the crowd used rails and long
poles to push his body back into the
flames. 1t is not certain how long
life lasted.
At the end of three hours the body
was practically cremated Members OF
the family of Mrs. Lashbrook had re-
mained to keep up the fire and keep the
body in a position where 1t would
continue to burn. Six-year-old chill
dren aided in feeding the fire.
There was not a single effort made tc
disguise or conceal identity. All the
leaders of the mob are we'll known
, and there are hundreds of witnesses
who can testify to their participation
in the tragedy. They are leading citi
zens in all lines of business, and many
are members of churches.
County Judge Harbeson will empane
a special grand jury at once to max,
speedy investigation and return in
dictments against the leaders. Tht
statement that Governor Bradley pro
poses to offer a reward for the ap
, prehension of members of the mol
, does not excite much fear that the re
ward will be claimed. There is a stronl
feeling that no punishment will result
The body was left lying in the ashes
and relic hunters took away teeth
9 bones and flesh and everything from
8 the body that they could lay hands OF
3 The coroner held an inquest on tn
q eharred remains and rendered tn
ample verdict: Death at the hand
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