The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1900-11-23
EXPIATES His CRIME
Murderer Of Little Louise Frost Burned
at Stake Near Limon, Colorado.
HER FATHER APPLIES THE TORCH
til tho MercIIess Flames Begin to
Scortch and shrIvel His Fiesh-Prs-
pairing for the Ordeal.

LIMON, Colo, Nov. 17.-Chained to
a railroad rail, set firmly in the
ground, on the exact spot where his
flendish crime was committed, Pres
ton Porter, jr., or as he was famil-
iarly known, John Porter, this even
ing paid a terrible penalty for his
deed. 1t was at 6:23 o'clock when
the father of the murdered CIR,
touched the match to the fuel which
had been piled around the negro and
twenty minutes later a last convul-
sive shudder told that life was ex-
tinct. 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 300 citizens of Lincoln county,
a not the least semblance of the
ordinary mob. Their every act was
deliberate and during all the prep
arations as well as throughout the
sufferings of the negro hardly an un-
necessary word was spoken. Grimly,
they stood in a circle about the fire
uhtll the body was e%ntinrely consumed
and then quietly they took their Way
back to Limon, from whence they de-
parted for their homes shortly after
ward.
Preston Porter did not seem to re-
ailZe the awful punishment that he
was destined to undergo. AS he had
exhibited Indifference to the enormitv
OF his crime, so he seemed to lack an
understanding of its terrible conse-
quences.
For more than an hour while
preparations for his execution were in.
progress he stood mute and sullen
among the avengers. When every
thing was ready he walked to the
stake with a firm step, pausing as he
reached the circle of broken boards.
TO kneel in prayer. He was allowed
TO take his hime. He arose and placed
MS back to the iron stake, and half a
dozen men wound chains about his
body and limbs.
Kerosene oil was applied to th.
wood, and after a brief pause Rich
ard W. Frost, the father of little
Louise Frost, whose cruelty mutil-
ated body was found one week ago on
N"" WY SpOl, dpplleu Il match. For
a moment but a little Pickering flame
arose. Then the oil blazed I'D. sparks
ileW into the air and the wood began
70 crackle. Almost instantly the ne
Sros 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, the sparks flew I'D in a
cloud OF pale smoke. Porter turned
his head and a frightful expression
changed his face. With a sudden con-
Fulslve Juggling he stretched his head
as far from the rapidly increasing
flames as possible and uttered a cry of
pain. oh, my God, let me go, men.
I've got something more to tell Won.
Please let me go. Oh, my God. my
God" "
In terrible screeches these words.
the first he had uttered aloud. came
from the negro. A terrible Juggling
at the chains, a succession of awful
groans and screams, the negro's awful
agony was at last breaking down his
sullen compoSure. Not an oath es-
capped him, but he begged and pleaded
to be shot. Suddenly the rope hold
ing his hands burned through. Then
Il arms, head and shoulders slippe3
through the chains. For an instant
the body stood erect, the arms were
raised in Supp1ication while burning
pieces OF clothing dropped from them.