The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-05
NEGRO LYNCHED AT DOUGLAS.
MARSHAL JONES' BoDY RIDDLED
WITH BULLETS.

He Was Implicated in the Murder Of
Constable Allen Crosby at GIiIis'
stiIl in Cofgee County-He Shot
Crosby in the Leg - Mob over
powered JaiIer CreeI and Took
Jones to the Woods--ReaI Murders
err Not Yet Caught.
Douglas, Ca, May f.--Shortly after II
o'clock this morning Marshal Jones, COLI
ored, was taken from the jail here by an
armed mob. tied 10 tree and his body
ridded with bullets.
Jones was implicated in the murder oe
Allen Crosby. 1t will be remembered that
| Allen Crosby, white man, was shot and
killed last Sunday morning at Gillie's still.
In Coffee county, by a negro named
| Brown. Crosby, who was a bailiff, went
to the still to arrest negro. and dis
pute arose. Two other negroes caught
Crosby and held him, after he had shot
at a negro named Marshal Jones.
While the bailiff was being held. Brown
snatched his revolver away. Crosby broke
loose and started 10 run. Jones fierd strik-
Ing him in the leg Brown then opened
fire and the bailiff was killed.
Crosby's murderer made good his es-
cape. but Jones was captured The friends
of the murdered man. attempted to lynch
the negro, but he was spirited away. and
on Monday morning was brought to tho
Douglas Jail.
Secured the Prisoner.
Thursday night was clear and bright.
The people of Douglas retired little
dreaming that a determined mob was
coming, bent on avenging the death of
Crosby. This morning, between IL and
o'clock, three men knocked on Jailor
Creers door, telling him they had a pqfs-
oner.
The jailer asked them to hold him until
morning, but the spokesman said they
had ridden all the way from Willacoochfe,
and did not feel like sitting up to guard
the man. The jailer came down and saw
| the three men, one of them apparently q
| prisoner They proceeded to the jail, the
doors we're unlocked and the four men
entered.
Unite your prisoner, and give me your
commitment papers," said the jaiier,
turning to the men.
Never mind the papers" remarked ths
spokesman. I'VE did not bring you a
prisoner. We came after one. You have
O negro In here named Marshal Jones,
ana we came TO hang him. so turn over
your keys"
But the jailer refused to surrender his
he ran into a mob of about thirty men,
who fired off their guns at the same
time telling the jaller that II he did
not give Up the keys they would raza
the building to the ground.
The jailer fearing the other prisoners
would escape II he surrendered the keys,
and knowing they would get away IL the
jail was battered down, unlocked the cell
door where Jones was confined. The
negro begged and implored the men to
spare him.
For Gods sake, boss. give me time to
pray" he said. but 1t was no use.
Yes. d. you, we Will give you time
to pray" said one. you can pray az
we go along"
Bound and Shot to Death.
he mob then proceeded down to the
principal street of the town, marching
past the Air Line depot; they turned off
into the woods about three-quarters OF a
mile from the Coffee county Court House,
the negro praying and begging all the
way. But there was no mercy In that
mob. They were all determined men,
with nothing but revenge In view.
About 500 yards from the depot tha
mob stopped, on the left-hand side OF
the road. Here Marshal Jones was
bound to a small pine sapling there be-
ing no convenient limb from which ia
hang him. The mob backed Off and be-
gan firing into the mans body, which
was literally riddled with bullets. Ths
negro's left leg was broken above the
ankle, his right thigh and right arm
above the elbow were shattered. A riffs
bullet struck him in the forehead, another
went through the heart; load
of buckshot entered the breast,
and another In the side.
The straps binding the negro to the tres
were shot In two. and the body tunblcd
to the ground.
After completing their work the mob dis
persed, leaving the body where II had
fallen. Very few people In Douglas knew
anything of the tragedy until this morn
ing Not dozen people knew OF IT, and
the affair was a surprise to everybody.
Al last accounts the negro who killed
Crosby had not been caught. People are
on the lookout for him. however, and. II
captured, there will probably be another
. lvnchine In Douglas