The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-17
contortions of his face and the cries he
gave from time to time.

contortions of his face and the cries he
gave from time to time.
The executioners who numbered about
300 citizens of Lincoln county had not
the least semblance of the ordinary
mob. Their every act was deliberate
and during all the preparations as well
as throughout the sufferings of the ne
gro hardly an unnecessary word was
spoken. Grimly they stood in circle
about the fire until the body was entire
ly consumed and then quietly they took
their way back to LimOn from whence
they departed for their homes shortly
afterward.
Preston Porter did not seem to realize
the awful punishment htat he was des-
tined to undergo. AS he had exhibited
Indifference to the enornity of the crime,
so he seemed to lack all understanding
of it's terrible consequences.
For more than one hour while prepar-
ations for his execution were in progress
he stood mute and sullen among the
avengers. When everything was ready
he walked to the stake with a, firm step,
pausing as he reached the circle of bro
ken boards to kneel in prayer. He was
allowed to take his time. He arose and
placed his back to the iron stake and
half a dozen men wound chains about
his body and limbs.
Kerosene oil was applied to the wood
and after a brief pause Richard W.
Frost the father of little Louise Frost
whose cruelty mutilated body was found
one week ago on that very spot, set fire
10 the pile For a moment but a little
ffickering flame arose, then the oil blaz-
ed up, sparks flew into the air and the
wood began to crackle. Almost instant
Iy the negro's trousers caught fire. Even
though the flesh must have been ScOrch-
ed he did not utter a sound The flames
crept slowly upward on his clothing, the
sparks flew up in a cloud of pale smoke.
Porter turned his head and a frightful
expression came over his face. With a
sudden convulsive tugging he stretched
r fa7~
ing flames as possible and uttered a cry
'.Oh. my God. let me go. men! I've got
something more to tell you. Please let
me go Oh, my God, my Cfodl'' in terri
Bile screeches these words the first he
had uttered aloud came from the negro.
A terrible tugging at the chains, sue
cessiOn of awful groans and screams
told that the negro's awful agony was
at last breaking down his sullen COM
posure- Not an oath escaped him, but
he begged and pleaded to be shot.
Suddenly the ropes holding his hands
burned through. Then the arms head
and shoulders slipped through the
chains For an instant the body stood
erect, the arms were raised in supplica-
ton while burning pieces of cloth drop
ped from the murderer. The body then
fell over away from the fire, the head
lower than the feet, still fastened to the
rail
This was not expected and for a few
minutes these stolid men were discon-
certed, they feared that the only re-
naming chain would give way. If this
had occurred the partly 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 q position that only the
legs were in the fire The cries of the
wretch were redoubled 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 car
PROSTATE body. They soon were ignited
and the terrible heat and lack of air