New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-17
RICHARD CR
BURNED NEGRO-TO DEATH.
VENGEANCE OF COLORADO MOB ON
PERPETRATOR OF TWO CRIMES
TO HIS FUNERAL PILE AS HE WAS
CHAINED TO STAKE


CHAINED TO STAKE
Limon, Col. Nov. 1G.-Chaned to a railroad
rail set firmly in the ground on the exact spot
where his fiendish crimes were committed Pres
ton Porter. IT.. or, as he was familiarly known,
John Porter, a negro boy this evening paid the
penalty for his deed. 1t was 623 o'clock when
the father of the murdered girl touched the
match to the fuel which had been piled around
the stake, and twenty minutes later last con-
vulsive shudder told that life was extinct. What
agony the doomed boy suffered while the flames
shrivelled 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 three
| hundred citizens of Lincoln County had not the
least semblance OF the ordinary mob. Their
every act deliberate and during all the
preparation, we'll throughout the suffer
| ings of the negro, hardly an unnecessary word
was spoken. Grimly they stood in a circle about
the fire until the body entirely consumed.
and then quietly took their way back to Lmon.
from where they departed for their homes short
ly afterward.
DID NOT REALIZE HIS PLIGHT.
Young Porter did not seem to realize the aw-
full punishment that he was destined to undergo.
As he had exhibited Indifference to the enormity
ofshs crime so he seemed to lack all under
standing OF its terrible consequences For more
than hour. while preparations for his execu-
tiOn were in progress, he stood mute and suen
among the avengers. When everything was
ready he walked 10 the stake with firm step
pausing he reached the circle of broken
boards TO kneel in prayer He was allowed 10
take his time. Then he and placed his
back to the iron stake and half dozen men
! wound chains about his body and limbs
Kerosene oil applied to the wood and
after brief pause Richard W Frost, the father
of little Louise Frcst. whose cruelty mutated
body was found one week ago on the very spot
applied a match. For moment only little
hckering fame arose. then the oil blazed up
sparks flew into the air and the wood began to
crackle. Almost instantly the negroes trousers
caught fire. Even though the flesh must have
been scorched he did not utter a sound, The
flames crept slowly upward on his clothing and
the sparks flew up in cloud of pale smoke.
CRIES OF EXTREME AGONY
Porter turned his head and a frigktful ex-
preston changed his face. With sudden con-
vulsve tugging he stretched his head as far
from the rapidly increasing flames possible
and uttered cry of pain "Oh, my God. Let
me go, men. I've got something tell
you Please let me go oh my God! My tiod"'
In horrible sCrceChes these words the first he
had uttered aloud, came from the negro. A ter
rbe tugging at the chains was followed by
succession Of awful grOans and screams the
ncgros agony was at last breaking down his
suen composure. Not oath escaped him,
but he begged and pleaded to he shot. Suddenly
the rope holding his hands burned through.
Then arms. head and shoulders slipped through
the chains. For instant the body stood
erect the were raised in suppCation
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 not expected, and for few min
utes the stolld men were disconcerted they
feared that the only remaining chain would give
way If this had occurred the partly burned
human being would have dashed among them
in his blazing garments. And not many would
have cared to capture him again But the chain
held fast.
NEW FUNERAL PYRE ERECTED.
The body was then in such a position that only
the legs in the fire. The cries Of the wretch
We're redoubed, and he again begged to be shot.
Some wanted to throw him over into the fire.
others tried to dash oil upon him. Boards
carried and n large pile made over the PROSTATE
body They soon were gnited, and the terrible
heat and lack of air quickly rendered the vic
tim unconscious, bringing death few moments
later.
This terrible ceremony out upon the rolling
prairie, concluded the second tragedy upon that
spot the terrible avenging Of the first Through
the entire affair hut little was said. AS they
had calmly prepared for the avenging. so the
people Of the eastern part of the State carried
out their plan coolly and deliberately. Not
weapon was drawn: there no angry discus
sion After the fire had burned low they bade
each other goodnight. and they went home.
| They did not stop TO discuss the affair.
TAKEN FROM THE SHERIFF.
The train bearing the negro in custody of
! Sheriff Freeman and his deputies, arrived in
| Limon at 3:45 o'clock The were crowded
| with newspaper men and persons who were
| curious to see the negro executed. r. w Frost
! the murdered girls father was one of the pas
| sengers. When the train stopped sixteen 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.
The oflcer protested in the of the law,
and asked the men to allow him to take his
prisoner TO the county jail at Hugo, but his pro-
tests were disregarded.
one man carried a rope, OF which had been
| formed hangman moose. This slipped
over the negro's neck. 1t was at first
rounced that the negro to be executed by
hanging Many, including the father Of the
negros victim. protested that such a death
! would be too easy. II was finally decided to
leave the method OF death to the outraged
father. He decided upon burning at the stake.
The train then allowed to proceed, and at
Lake Station, about three miles from Limon.
and near the scene OF the negro's crime. the
| party left the train and began prepara tions for
j the deed of vengeance Suggestions of mutila
| ton before burning were made, but Mr.. Frost
declared against Ii.
Wagons were dispatched for wood and upon
their return a score of men assisted in prepar-
ing 1t for the fire. When at last preparations
were completed, further delay was made, be-
cause 1t was known many were on their way
| take part in the affair. II had been announced
| that $50 o'clock should be the hour for starting
| the fire. but II nearly an hour later when
the word finally given.
DEERFOoT FARM sAUsAGEs