The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-08
JAIL STORMBD With FIRE
An Alabama Mob Gets Negro De-
spite Stout Resistance.
HANGED VICTIM FROM A TREE.

Elijah Clark Lynched in tho Outskirts OF
HuntsviIle - Sheriff Protected Him
From q Mob That Threw Dynamite
When Fires Were Set About tho
, Jail tie sherin Gave In.
Birmingham, Ala. (SpeciaD.-A mob
of 1000 citizens of Madison County, af-
ter an exciting days effort in sur.
. rounding the county Jail at Huntsville,
Ala, succeeded in getting possession
. of Elijah Clark, negro, who had COM
mitted an assault on Susie Priest.
thirteen-year-old girl at Dallas, fac
tory suburb Of Huntsville. The negro
was taken to the scene Of his crime
and there strung up, after which the
mob dispersed with bitter expressions
of hatred for Sheriff Fulgham, who
kept them at bay all day long.
When the alarm had been given a
posse Of citizens went in search Of
the negro. The search was continued
all night, and by daylight two deputy
sheriffs overlook Clark and succeeded
In getting him in the county Jail at
Huntsville, q modest, though strong,
structure. Word was passed around
that the negro, was in Jail and mob
began forming at once. Five hundred
men came from Dallas, and soon a
bowling mob was around the jail.
Meantime Sheriff Fulgham had sum-
moned all his deputy sherlffs and sta
toned them inside the jail, determined
Ito defend his prisoner. The mob was
Sdetermined, however, and laid dyna-
mite charges around the Jail, intent
ION blowing 1t up.
Sheriff Fulgham, in the midst Of the
excitement, made an address through
fa window, telling the mob that its
snlembers must obey the law, and #
they would desist the negro would
have a speedy trial. He also an
nounced that Judge Speak, Of the Cir
cult Court, would hold special term
1of the court at o'clock in the after
noon, but the mob hooted the sheriff.
He then warned them that they must
sdesist. There were few shots fired
Isaf this time. No outbreak occurred,
but two men, William Vining and
Thomas Johnson, laborers in the cot
ton factory, were carried off wounded.
the first in dangerous condition. :.
The mob continued its hooting and
Uniformed the sheriff that the Jail would
be- blown up and that he would be
killed with the negro. Governor Johns
sston was notified by wire, but nothing
! could be done. Troops Inland around
Huntsville were practically without
ammunition, and 1t would have been
useless to call them out. 5ss
8 ssAt noon a piece of dynamite was,
thrown on the front steps Of the Jail
and exploded with loud report. Con-
siderable damage was done, butgonce
NOR Sheriff Fulghnm and his deputies
Skeptthe crowd at bay. sssS3
"a tpfrendef the negro, give him ito
the mob shouted. IS 81 3 ;s
& 4 erif Fulgham shouted back: W
81 Stand back, or Ill order my men
TO fire on you. e y; :Ss5 & q ~
TcI6grains we're received by. the
SheriG frem United States officials to
protect the Federal prisoners in the
y jail, Even If 1t was necessary to re-
lease them. Finally, late in the after
snoon iG became noised about that
troops we're coming to Huntsville, and
would mt the mob to flight. Combus-
stible natter was gathered in all d.
rections and the mob informed the
SheRf6 TINT the jail was to be burned
down. Smoke ascended all around
tie pt9ce. and at last the Sheriff and
bis puties had to escape with their
took only a few moments to get
A0ld of th' negro. He was dragged
Sgout and !; great shout rent the air.
: The mob lalf dragged and half pulled
i the victim along. 10 Dallas they
headed and once there, to tree limb
athe negro was soon dangling.
1t was the aost exciting day Hunts
vile ever saw. Women and children
trembled in their homes. fearing the
outcome Militia in Decatur, Birming-
ham, Florence and at other points
practically rested OH their arms, ex-
pecting to be called out.