The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-17
PORTER BURNED At STAKE.
MURDERER OF LITTLE LOUISE
FROST PAYS AWFUL PENALTY.
Vigilance Committee Took the
Prisoner From the Sheriff While
ON the Train ut Limon-was Con-
aucted to the Scene Of HAS Crime,

I,IMON. Colo, Nov. le.--Chained to a
railroad rail set firmly in the ground. on
the exact spot where hts fendish crime
was committed, Preston Porter, jr.. or. as
he was Familiarity known. John Porter.
this evening paid a terrible penalty for
his deed 1t was GIG o'clock when the
father Of the murdered girl touched the
match to the fuel which had been piled
around the negro. and twenty minutes
later last convulsive shudder told that
life was extinct What agony the doomed
boy suffered while the flames shriveled up
his flesh could only be guessed from the
terrible contortions Of his face and the
cries he gave. from time to time
The executioners, who numbered about
800 citizens OF Lincoln county, had not
the least semblance OF the ordinary mob.
Their every act was deliberate. and dur
Ing all the preparations, as well as
throughout the suHerings Of the negro.
hardly an unnecessary word was spoken.
Grimly they stood In circle about the
fire until the body was entirely consumed,
and then quietly they took their way back
to Limon, from whence they departed for
their homes shortly afterward.
Preston Porter did not seem to realize
the awful punishment that he was des-
tined to undergo. AS he had exhibited In
difference to the enormty of his crime, so
he seemed to lack all understanding Of
its terrible consequences.
stood Mute and sullen.
For more than an hour. while prepara-
lions for his execution were in progress,
he stood mute and sullen 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 al
placed his back to the iron stake. and
half dozen men wound chains about his
body and limbs.
Kerosene oil was applied to the wood,
and after brief pause Richard w. Frost,
the father OF little Louisa Frost, whose
cruelty mutilated body was found one
week ago on that very spot, took his
and touched the names to the oil.
For a moment but little hickering
fiame. then the oil blased up, sparks few
Into the ar and ,n the Wood III began ro 70
suddenly the rope holding his hands
burned through Then the arms, head
for an Instant the body stood erect. the
arms were raised In duplication. while
burning pieces OF cloth dropped from
them: 'fhe body then fell away from
which were still fastened to the rail.
This was not expected, and for a few
minutes those stolid men were discon-
certed They feared that the only re-
had occurred. the partly burned human
being would have dashed among them
with burning garments. Not many would
have cared to capture him again. But
the chain held fast.
Through the entire affair but little was
said. AS they had calmly prepared for 1t
so the people OF the eastern part OF the
state carried out their plans coolly and
deliberately. There was not hitch In
tho entire proceedings. Not a weapon
was drawn. There was no angry discuss
sion
After the fire burned low they told each
other good-night and went home They
did not stop to discuss the AFFAIR