Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-17
John Porter, the NEGRO Boy Who Out
ragged and Murdered a School Girl,
the VICTIM OF hAOB'S WILD. FURY.
Taken From Sheriff and Carried to Scene of
His Crime, Where the Dead Girls Father
Lighted the Funeral Pyre--Soon Relieved
by Death.

plication while burning pieces of
clothing dropped from them.
The body then fell away from
the fire, the head lower than the
feet, still fastened to the rail.
This was not expected, and for a
few minutes those stolid men were
disconnected. They feared that the
only remaining chain would give
way. If this had occurred the part
ly 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. The
body was then in such position
that only the legs were in the fire.
The cries of the wretch were re-
doubled and he
AGAIN BEGGED TO BE SHOT
Some wanted to throw him over
into the fire, others tried to dash
oil upon him.
Boards were carried and a large
pile made over the PROSTATE body.
They soon were ignited and the
terrible heat and lack of air quick
ly rendered the victim uncon-
scious, bringing death few mo-
ments 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 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 hitch in the en-
tire proceeding. Not a weapon
was drawn; there was no angry
discussion.
After the fire had burned low
they told each other goodnight
and they went home. They did
not stop to discuss the affair.
The train bearing the negro in
the custody of Sheriff Freeman and
his deputies, arrived in Limon at
9:45 p. m. The cars were crowded
with newspaper reporters and peo-
pie 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 demanded the prisoner
from the sheriff. Their every ac-
ton was marked by calmness and
determination. The officer pro-
tested in the name of the law and
asked the men to allow him to take
his prisoner to the county jail at
Hugo, but his protests were dis
regarded.
ONE MAN CARRIED A ROPE
in which had been formed hang
mans moose. This was slipped over
the negro's neck. 1t was at first
announced that tn negro was to be
executed by hanging,
Many, including the father of the
negros victim, protested that such
death would be too easy, and 1t
was finally decided to leave the
method of death to the outraged
father.
He demanded upon burning at
the stake. The train was then al
lowed to proceed. and at Lake Sta
ton, 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
burning were made, but Mr.. Frost
declared against it.
Wagons were despatched for
wood, and upon their return.
score Of men assisted in preparing
it for the fire.
When at last preparations were
completed, further delay was
made because 1t was known many