The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-17

LIMoN, Colo, Nov. 16.-Chained to u
railroad rail set firmly in the ground on
the exact spot where his flendish crime
was committed, Preston Porter, jr.. or
Us he was familiarly known, John Por-
Ter, this evening paid terrible penalty
for his deed. 1t was 6:23 o'clock when
the father OF the murdered girl touched
the match to the fuel which had been
piled around the negro and twenty min
utes later last convulsive shudder told
that life was extinct. What agony the
doomed boy suffered while the flames
shr!rcled up his flesh could only be
guessed from the terrible conto-tions Of
bis face and the cries he gave from
time to time.
The executloners. who numbered
about 300 citizens Of Lincoln county, had
not che least semblance of the ordinary
mob. Their every act was deliberate
and during the preparations as well as
throughout the sufferings Of the negro,
hardly an unnecessary word was
4 spoken. Grlmly they stood In q 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
afterwards.
Preston Porter did not seem to realize
the awful punishment that he was des-
tined to undergo. AS he had exhibited
Indifference to the enormity Of his
crime, so he seemed to lack all UNDER
standing OF It's terrible consequences.
For more than an hour. while prepnra-
tons for his execution were in progress,
he stood mute and sullen among the
avengers. When everything was ready
he walked to the stake with firm
step. psusing as he reached the circle OF
broken boards, to knecl in prayer. He
was allowed to take his time. He arose
and placed his back to the Iron stake
and halt a dozen men wound chains
about his body and limbs. Kerosene oil
was applied to the wood and after 4
brief pause. Richard W. Frost, the
father of little Louise Frost, whose
cruelty mutllated body was found one
week ago on that very spot, applied
match. For moment but little lick
efing fnmc arose. Then the ci! bazed
up, sparks flew into the air and the
fls l,.
stansly the negro's trousers caught fire.
Even though the flesh must have been
scoFched. he did not utter n sound.
The Flames Crept Up.
me iiames crept slowly upward on his
c!o'hihg the sparks flew up In u cloud
VI pale smoke. Porter turned his head
anu frightsul expression changed his
'ace With a sudden convulslve tug
s'ns he stretched his head as far from
@e rapidly Increasing flames as possible
Sau uttered n cry OF pain.
IN, my God, let me go. men. I've
y" something more 10 tell you. Please
". nc 20. Oh my God, my God"
"a terrible screechcs these words. the
"'' Ne had uttered aloud, came from
Wv negro. A terrible tugging at the
s",'a' II succession OF the awful groans
''.+ ,. screams. the negro's agony was at
~" "o' breaking down hia sullen compos-
-" NOT an oath escaped him. bu, he
,o5'd and pleaded to be shot. Sud-
m"!' me rope holding his hands. burn
" ,n'onsh.a Then arms. head and
-. %Ou'GeFs slipped through the chains.
-" IN instant the body stood erect, the
tn r"s We're raised In supplcatloE while
,L'E a'"'"E pieces OF clothing dropped from
. ~-..l' he body then fell away from