The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-17

eeance, SO the people Of the eastern part
of the State carried out their plan coolly
and deliberately. There was not hitch
in the entire proceeding. Not weapon
was drawn; there was no angry discussion.
After the fire had burned low the people
living near Limon left those living near
Hue. They told each other good night
and they went home. They did not care
to discuss the affair.
When Mr. Frost applied the torch and
said. "you men do the r. St" he spoke his
own sentiments, but his words were not
necessary. There WIS not q man there
wiio would net have SC. FIRE 10 n rile.
II was conceded t. the iather IS Ii ri It.
When the people of Linen and those
who had Joined them frorl The surround
ing country heard that Sheriff Freeman
would bring the negro through the town
they Immediately agreed upon plan of
action. A meeting of those interested
was held here at 1 o'clock. Through the
night sentiment had changed in favor of
burning instead of hanging.
Sixteen men bearded the train at Limon.
They seized the negro and left the train
at Lake, three miles from here. There
the others awaited them At the door of
the rear car. in which was the sheriff
with his prisoner a brief scuffle forced
an entrance. The sheriff was not given
an 1UtlInallOu Oh WHAT WAS
Just before reaching Lake the negro was
lifted bodily from his seat beside the
sheriff. He said:
''Oh, my God"
That was all Sheriff Freeman scuff1ed
with the men and his deputies fought.
They were unable to draw weapons be-
cause men crowded between the seats.
Not a man in the committee had a
weapon One Of the sheriff's deputies tried
to draw a revolver, but he was warned to
do nothing rash. Just as the train
stopped the scuflie ended. Stopping only
long enough to throw the rope about the
negro's neck, the committee made its way
to the rear door.
There the negro was forced to drop from
the platform and walk to the road leading
back to the scene OF the crime. The negro
trudged along through the dust. barehead-
ed and reading constantly the Bible he
had studied from the first. Once he was
stopped and posed for photographers and
newspaper artists.
At the desolate spot where the girl was
murdered a broken jar stood over the dark
spot made by the blood which oozcd from
Louise Frost's body while she lay dying.
The negro was led up to it. He looked al
It moment then east his eyes to the
printed page CT the Bible.
He stood coollv about while his fate was
discussed. He seemed to tire of standing
and sat down upon the ground and held
the Bible, reading by the light Of the fire
which had been started. When the pile
upon which he was to die took shape, he
dropped his head to his breast and held
both hands to his eyes. Not a tremor was
visible, and the bowed head and protest.
ing hands were the only evidence Of emo
ton.
Only twice did he appeal for mercy.
When burning was first mentioned he raised
his hand palm outward. While he was
standing In the crowd the negro was sur
rounded by men from all parts of the State.
They asked him for pages from his Bible.
de gave them. Leaf by Leaf, the Bible was
torn apart and the sheets crammed into
the pockets Of the curiosity seekers. Be-
fore the fire was started the rope which
held the negro by the neck was almost en-
tfreiy cut up.
The man holding it allowed all who
wished to cut small pieces from it, These
were all the souvenirs to be obtained. but
there was crush to get them Although
they intended to technically keep their
agreement with the sheriff not to take
the prisoner off the train at Linen the
citizens had decided to let him go but
short distance beyond that station. They
were careful, however. not to let the
SneriN learn OF their intentions lor rear
he would drop the prisoner of before
reaching here.
No enc was permitted TO send out a
telegram concerning the Plans. and it was
therefore impossible for the sheriff to
learn of what awaited him here. Even
after the men entered the csr the sheriff
was in ignorance of thsir plans. Fer
time he seemed TO believe that he would
get his prisoner TO Hugo. After Porter
was .aLen frcm him the sheriff seemed
dazed. During the struggle he was as
pale as = ghost and seemed able to utter
but few words OF remors;rancc. VIII n
the prisoner left the car he dropped into
lis seat and remained there until the
train went On to Hugo, carrying him
with it.
All was quiet within thirty minutes
after the fire had been started. The
coroner of Lincoln County will have no
remains upon which to hold an inqus ST.
He would not do 1t anyway. The iron r-il
to which the negro was bound viii he let
standing. 1t will be left as 4 warning.