New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-24
LYNCHED IN ALARAnA.
NEGRO TAKEN FROM THE SHERIFF AT
HUNTsvILLE-sMOKE OUT OF JAIL

Huntsville, Ala. July 23.-Elljah Clark the negro
who yesterday assaulted Susan Priest, thirteen
year-old girl, taken from the Jail in this city
this evening and lynched the spot where MS
crime was committed. His body riddled win
bullets. Sheriff Fulgham defended his prisoner 10
the last, but q dense smoke from combination
Of tar, feathers and oil, fl ed by me crazed MOP
was too much for him and he dragged from
the jail and placed under physicians care. w III
lam Nining, employee OF the street railway com
pany. who attempted rush through the crowd
and up the Jail steps was shot and seriously
wounded.
crowd OF one hundred and fifty princi-
paly employees OF the big cotton mills at Dallas
suburb Of this city. searched the woods all nish'
Tor clark who was identified at the time he as
saulted Miss Priest by her little sister No success
attended their efforts and early this morning
Sheriff Fugham started with a posse ana
before O'Clock had captured Clark on Beaver Dam
Creek ten miles from Huntsville He was soon
landed in jail. and by l o'clock the news Of the
prisoners capture was heraded to all parts OF the
city.
mob composed of mill operatives and men OF
all callings soon formed and marched 10 the
jail where they stood for a time apparently wait
ing for a leader. Sheriff Fugham seeing that ne
had a desperate crowd TO combat. telegraphed 10
Governor Johnson the facts in the case the G1S
the militia ii Birmingham Montgomery and De
catur to proceed with all haste to the scene. Inc
Sheriff then telephoned Judge s VI Stewart and
asked for an immediate trial of the negro. and the
Judge replied soon after that had arranged for
II. 5 Speak
The mob by this time had assumed alarming pro
portions, and the Sheriff thinking 10 quiet the
storm appeared 1T window and announced tha'
special trial had been arranged for the prisoner,
and that he would be brought before court al .
clock in the afternoon. This was greeted win
venge,f went up The outer door TO the jail wooden
GAINED enp5ns son to 3 @ o0 a they
countered the Sheriff's wife who pleaded with
them refrain from violence and let the law take
Its course Sheriff FuEham. however. on nearing
GIa iis ''''u moor "''s'e he o'Neu ''Ss'- II
A large amount OF tar. feathers and oil was
secured and piled upon tie cement floor OF the
Jail, and match applied.
suffOcating smoke arose ard spread quickly
throughout the Jail. The Sheriff agar Tetreated
his prisoner with him. More and feathers were
brought in and ignited. Fulgham was finally
dragged from the jail in sCm-COnsCiOuS condi-
ton, and taken to the city hall and doctors sum
mOned.
The Sheriffs departure was the signal for the
mob 10 proceed &c their work. and they quickly
took complete possession OF the stronghold. Fuiy
hour consumed in breaking the lock 10 the
cell in which the Culprit confined but as soon
this was accomplished two men secured clark
and appeared with him on the front steps OF the
guarded by twenty heavily armed men IN tours he
dragged out Of the jail yard The mob was
followed by fully l.5O persons. The doomed man
was taken before his victim and positively identi-
lapsed and had 10 be taken I'D and borne on the
shoulders Of his c2ptors.
the limb Of a immense tree by Miss Priests
brother. The negro thrown across the back
OF a horse and the animal was led out from under
him The body was riddled with bullets.
Just as the work finished the Decatur mill
tia arrived Huntsville. Work at the mills in
Dallas was suspended for the day.