The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-17

4 -
bringing death a few moments later
This terrible ceremony, out upon the
rolling prairie, concluded the second
tragedy upon that spot, the terrible
Through the entire affair but 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. There
was not a hitch in the proceeding. Not
a 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 Gus
tOdy of Sheriff Freeman and his dep
uties from Denver arrived in Limon at
3:45 p. m. The cars were crowded with
newspaper reporters 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 sixteen men,
who had been selected by the vigilance
committee, entered the train and de-
Their every act was marked by calm
ness and determination. The officer pro-
tested in the name of the law and asked
the men to allow him to take his prison.
er to the county jail at Hugo but his
protests were disregarded. One man
carried a rope, on which had been form
ed a hangman's moose 1t was at first
announced that the negro was to be ex-
ecuted by hanging. Many, including the
father of the negrO's victim, protested
that such a death would be too easy,
and it was finally decided to leave the
method of death to the outraged father.
He decided upon burning at the stake.
The train was 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 preparations for the deed of
vengeance.
Suggestions of mutilation before burn
fv,o~ r6r-c To hIJf A1T- da01 rod
against it.
Wagons were dispatched for wood
and upon their return a score of men
assisted in preparing it for the fire.
When at last preparations were COM
pleted, a further delay was made be-
cause it was known many were en- route
from Hugo and other parts of the coun-
try to take part in the affair. It had
been announced that $50 should be the
hour for starting the fire, but it was
nearly an hour later when the word was
finally given.
WILL BE NO INQUEST.
Linon, Colo, Nov. 17.-No inquest it
is said will be held over the remains of
Preston Porter, jr., commonly known as
John Porter, who was burned at a stake
near Lake station last evening by a mob
to avenge the murder of Louise Frost,
which the young negro confessed he had
committed. In fact, the coroner can find
remains upon which to hold an in
quest. A few men remained late last
where the murder was committed and
avenged and renewed the fire again and
again, until every vestige of the negro
was gone. The iron rail to which the
victim was bound will be left standing
as a warning to all inclined to deeds
similar to that for which young Porter
was burned.
1t is estimated That 700 people wit
messed the executIoA- no women re-
mained during the cremation, but many
of them went to the scene before the fire
was lighted and the negro was led from
carriage to carriage for inspection. The
wo1nens vote was a unit for burning.
A strange feature of the affair was
that of souvenirs The negro had, since
his confession been devoting every mo-
ment of daylight to the perusal of
Bible given him by the Denver jai1er-
Even while waiting for his execution
he sat by a bonfire reading from the
gospel of st. Luke. Just before he was
tied to the stake upon request for souve-
Mrs the boy tore tho leaves from the
Bible and distributed them among his
executioners-
RELATIVES WILL RETURN TO
LAWRENCE.
Denver, Nov 17.-Preston Porter and
Arthur Porter, father and brother re-
spective1y of the boy who was burned to
death near Limon last night, were re-
leased from the city Jail today. They
intend to return to their home at Law
renee. Kan.