Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-11-22
NEGRO ROASTED AT A STAKE
The Awful Vengence Visited
on a Boy Murderer.
He HAD KILLED A YOUNG GIRL
When Captured, He Confessed
His Crime.


His Crime.
Massmeeting Decided That He Must Suffer
Death-Girrs Father Applied the Torch
Newspaper Men, Accompanied by TeIe-
graph Operators, Watched the Burning,
and Sent Bulletins from the Scene.
Execution Ground, near Lake Sta
tion, Colordao, Nov. 16.-Chained to a
railroad rail set firmly in the ground
on the exact spot where his fendish
crime was committed, Preston Porter,
Jr., or as he was familiarly known,
John Porter, this evening paid ter
rihle penalty for murder.
1t was 6. 90 O'Clock when the father
OF the assaulted girl touched the match
to the fuel which had been piled
around the negro and 20 minutes later
last convulsive shudder told that life
was extinct The executioners, who
numbered about 300 citizens Of Lincoln
county, had not the least aemblance OF
the ordinary mob. Their every act was
deliberate and during all the piepara-
tons, as well as throughout the suffer-
ipgs OF the negro, hardly an unneces-
sary word was spoken.
Preston Porter did not seem to realize
the awful punishment that he was
destined to undergo. As he had ex-
hipIted indifference to the enormity Of
his crime, SO be seemed to lack all un-
Outstanding of its terrible consequences
For more than hour, while preparations
for his execution were in progress, he
stood mute aud sulen among the
avengers. When everything was ready
he walked to the stake with firm
step, pausing as he reached the circle
of broken boards to kneel in prayer.
He was allowed to take his time. He
arose and placed his back to the iron
chains about his body and limbs.
Kerosene oil was applied to the wood
and after brief pause Richard W.
Frost, the father of little Louise Frost,
| whose cruelty mutilated body was found
| one week ago on that very spot, ap-
piled match. For moment but a
| little flickoring fame arose. Then the
oil blazed Up, sparks flew into the air
and the word began to c,aosle Almost
| instantly the nagro's tronsels caught
fire. Even though the flesh must have
| been scorcheti, he did not utter
sound, The tiarues trept slowly upward
| on his clcihiag the sparks flew up iE
; cloud Of paie smoke. Porter turned
! his head ard frightful expression
| changed his face.
With sudden convulsiva tugging he
stretched his head as far from the
rsridiy- increasing flames as possible
and uttered cry of pain. S"0h, my
God, let me go men. Iva got sonlo-
thing more to tell you Please lot me
CO. Oh, my God. ny God y
Not au oath eacaded him.i hnt he
/ 4 l. IL G,,Il La tln,
| holding his hands burned throueh,
Then his arnia, head and shoulders
slipaed through the chains. For an in.
stant the body stood erect, the arms,
we're raised in supplication, while
burning pieces of clothing dropped
The body then fell away from the
fire, the head lower than the feet, still
fastened to the rail. This was not ex-
pected, and for few minutes those
stoid men were disconnected they
feared that the only remaining chain
would give way.
Some wanted to throw him over into
the fire; others tried to dash oil upon
him. Boards were brought and large
pile was made over the prostrate body.
They soon we're limited, and the terrible
heat and lack of air quickly rendered
the victim unconscious, bringing death
few moments later.
This terrible ceremony, out upon the
rolling prairie, concluded the second
tragedy uton that spot-the awful
avenging of the first.
Through the entire affair but little
was said. As they had calmly prepared
for the lvenging, SO the people OF the
eastern part of the State carried out
/ noplx, and 6altharatalp
There was not hitch in the entire
proceeding. Not weapon was drawn; ;
there was no angry discussion. After
the fire had burned low they told each
other good night and they went home.
They did not stop to discuss the affair.
The train bearing the negro in custody
of Sheriff Freeman and his deputies
arrived in Lilnon at 345 p. m. The
cars we're crowded with newspaper re-
porters and people who were curious to
see the negro executed.
r, w. Frost, the murdered girls
father, was one of the passengers. When
the train stopped 16 men, who had
been selected by the vigilance com
mittee, entered the train and demanded
the prisoner from the sheriff Their
every action was marked by oalmness
and determination.
| Ihe ofnoef FfoteSteu IN tn6 nhm0 OF
the law, and asked the men to allow him
to take his prisoner to the county Jail
at Hugo, but his protests we're disre-
galded.
One man carried rope of which had
been formed q hangman's moose. This
was slipped over the negro's neck. 1t
was at first announced that the negro
was to be executed by hanging. Many
including the father of the negro's VIC
tim, protested that such death would
be too easy, and it was finally decided
to leave the method of death to the out
ragged father. He decided upon burning
at the stake. The train was then
allowed to proceed, and at Lake Sta
!, tion, about three miles from Limon,
and near the scene of the negro's crime,
the party left the tram and began
preparations for the deed OF vengeance.
Wagons were dispatched for wood. and
upon their return score of men as
sisted in preparing It for the fire.
J When at last preparations were com
| pleted further delay was made be-
cause 1t was known many we're on
; their way from Hugo and other parts
of the country to take part 10 the affair
1t had been announced that 8 80 O'Clock
should be the hour for starting the fire.
} but it was nearly an hour later when
, the word was finally given.
-----S------
Crashed Through a Bridge.
Dover, Nov. IA traction engine,