Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1900-11-20
ACT WAS VERY DELIBERATE
v'silanoe COMMITTEES Of Six.
|. 4 ten = c 80 !. Out 8 the b, I
4 ~ $G Proceedings.
Father Of the Dead Girl Starts
~ the Fire Which Does
the Work.

vi tAo oASCS epOe "A0Ao A4S SAeAANAoAA
crime was committed, Preston Porter,
j., or, as he was Familiarity known.
John Porter, paid terrible penalty for
his deed: 1t was 6:2S pollock when the
father Of the murdered girl touched the
match to the fuel which had been piled
around the negro and 20 minutes later
last convulsive shudder told that life
was extinct. What agony the doomed
boy suffered while the flames shriveled
his flesh could only be guessed from the
terrible contortions Of his face and the
CRIES he gave.
The executioners, who numbered
about 800 citisens Of Lincoln county.
had not tho least semblanoe Of m ordi-
nary mob. Their overt act was delib-
crate, and during all the preparations
as well as throughout the sufferings Of
the negro hardly an unnecessary word
was spoken. Grimly they stood in q
circle about the fire until the body was
partly consumed and then quietly they
took their way back to Limon, whence
they departed for their, homes shortly
alrerward.
Negro Exhibited Indifference.
Preston Porter did not seem to real.
ize the awful punishment that he was
destined to undergo. As he had exhib.
tied Indifference to the enormity Of his
crime, SO he seemed to lack all under.
standing Of its terrible consequences.
When everything was ready he walked
to the stake with firm step, pausing
as he reached the circle of broken
boards to kneel in prayer. He arose
and placed his back to the iron stake
and half dozen men wound chains
about his body and limbs.
Kerosene was applied to the wood
and after q brief pause Robert W.
Frost, the father Of little Louise Frost,
whose cruelty mutilated body was
found one week ago on that very spot,
applied a match. and soon the flames
crept slowly upward on his clothing.
Porter turned his head and frightful
expression changed his face. With a
sudden coLvulsive Juggling he stretched
his head as far from the rapidly in.
creasing flames as possible and uttered
r. cry of pain. A terrible Juggling at
the chains, succession eft awful groans
and screams-the negroes agony was at
last breaking down his sullen compo-
sure. Not an oath escaped him, but he
begged and
Pleaded to he Shot.
Suddenly the rope holding his hands
burned through. Then arms, head and
shoulders slipped through the chains.
For an instant the body stood erect,
the arms were raised to supplioation
while burning pieces of clothing fell
from them. The body then dropped
away from the fire. This was not ex-
pected and for q few minutes those
stolid men were disconcerted. They
feared that the only remaining chain
would give way. II this had occurred
the partly burned human being would
have dashed among them in his blazing
garments. But tho chain held fast.
The cries Of the wretch were rsdoubled
and he again begged to be shot. Boards
were carried and large pile made over
the PROSTATE body. This soon was
ignited and the terrible heat quickly
rendered the victim unconscious,
bringing death few moments later
This ceremony out on the rolling prairie
concluded the second tragedy upon that
spot-the a, enging Of the first.
Taken From tho sheyln:
The train bearing the negro in GUS
tody of Sheriff Freeman and his depu-
ties arrived in Lmon from Denver at
8:45 p. m. The cars were crowded with
newspaper reporters and persons who
were curious to see the negro executed.
The murdered girls father was ono Of
the passengers. When the train
stopped IL mon, who had been selected
by the vigilance committee. entered
the train and demanded the prisoner
from the sheriff. the officer protested
in the rame OF the state. and asked the
men to allow him to take his prisoner
to the county Jail at Hugo, but his re-
quests were dis1egarded. It was at
first announced that the boy would be
executed by hanging. Many, inelud.
ing the father Of the negroes victim,
urged that such death would be too
easy, and it was finally decided. to
leave tho method Of death to be select.
ed by the outraged father. He decided
upon burning ct the steks. The train
was then alloWsd TO prsosed and Ut
Lake station, about three miles from
.Limon and near the scene Of the me-
gro's crime, the party; left the train
and began preparations for the deed of
avenging. suggestiens OF nutilstion
were made. but Frost declared against
such action.
Governor would Not Talk. 49,,
DENVER, Nov. 17.-Whsn asked his
opinion regarding the burning Of the
negro murderer, Preston Porter, n Ii
mon, Governor Thomas dselinsAl -
make AZ etAsslaleas wh!assFslEE. "a
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