The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-18
NEGRO LYNCHED IN INDIANA.
THIRD OF THE CoLoRED MEN M
PLICATED IN A MURDER.
Mob Avenees the killing of Holiie
simond-went About the Carrying
out of Their Plans in "a Quiet,
but Very Determined Manner.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Dec. ia spe-
cial to the Sentinel from Bonneville,
Ind. says:
John RoIla, the third of the eolored
men implicated in the murder of Hollie
Sirnond. was hung TO a tree in the court
yard by mob of about 100 men from
Rockport at $50 o'clock this evening
Not a shot was fred and everything was
conducted as quietly as IL the executio IN
had been under the sanction OF the law.
Rolla was brought 10 this place this
afternoon about 4 O'Clock in charge or
Sheriff Anderson. OF Rockport Upon his
arrival he was placed in a cell on I've
second floor of the jail and his presence
was known 10 only few citizens.
A few minutes after 6 O'Clock a body
Of 100 men marched through the principal
streets of the city to the Jail and de-
manded that the prisoner be turned over
to them.
Sheriff Hudson was out of town and
his deputy. Raymond Cherry, was in
charge of the Jail. He had heard that
a mob was on its way here. and at once
made an effort to get the prisoner out OF
town TO take him TO Evansville, but be-
fore this could be accomplished the mob
had arrived and the futility Of the at
tempt became apparent.
He declined TO give up the keys of the
jail, and the members of the mob at once
began to batter In the wallis Of the jail
with telegraph pole, which was handled
by dozen or more men. As soon as
hole large enough TO admit the body
OF man was battered through the wall.
six men of the mob cgawled through
with sledge hammers and broke down the
door Of Rolla's cell.
Negro Walled in vain.
Inside the jail the negro could hear
the sounds of the battering ram as II
, pounded down the wall, and he lay upon
the floor of his cell in agony of fear.
When the men reached his cell he
protested his innocence in loud tones,
begging piteously TO be spared. The men
working at the door of the cell might
have been deaf. judging the attention
they paid 10 the wailing of the negro.
3 Little time was used in breaking into
the cell, and very soon the thoroughly
terrified negro was In the hands of his
eNecutioners who placed a rope around
ms neck. Al left, crawling again through
the hole by which they had entered,
dragging the negro after them.
a few minutes time was consumed in
the march g the jail yard, in which the
tree and q hundred willing hands pulled
the rope and sent the negro's body flying
into the air. The loose end of the rope
was tied TO tree. and as soon as the
members of the mob were sure that their
work had been completed. they left in
as quiet manner as they had entered
the town.
ANoHc OF the MOP Wore q mask. To all
aDpearances men OF every station in life
took part in the lynching Not a shot
was fired before after the lynching,
and except for the excited groups OF
men standing on the street corners. a
stranger would have known nothing of
the tragedy that had just been enacted
Citizens of Bonneville made no effort
to assist in the protection of the negro
ana a number quietly admitted that
citizens generally were In sympathy with
inc work OF the mob.
Judge Swan. of the Warwick county
circuit court. sought to prevent violence,
but the members of the mob ignored
him and proceeded with the work
Members of the mob came TO Roone-
VILE in wagons. bsieFies and on horse
back. Their rigs were left IN n grove
a half a mile out OF the town and the
men marched IN columns OF twos undrr
the command OF three who had evidently
been selected rs leaders,
Roiia Finally Confessed
oWFsNSBOR O. XIV. Dec. f7-John
Rolla, the third OF the negroes lynehed
was implicated by Rowland one Of The
negroes lynehed last night at Rockport.
IN his cosfession but denied his guilt
re WAS guarded by some determined
citizens, who had some doubts as Ia his
guilt. He told conflicting stories. and
IL was learned that he was away from
the Veranda hotel, where he worked
about the time Simons was murdered
Confronted with this evidence Rolla
weakened and confessed hts share IN the
crime. admitting that he struck the first
blow and that the two other negroes
helped him 10 XIII SimonS