Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-13
4HEART FAlLuREy VERDICT.
Bill Young, After Being Identified, is
Lynched BY Over 200 Farmers.


Lynohed BY Over 200 Farmers.
PENSACOLA. Fla, Sept. 9.-Last FRI
day morning at Chipley, Fla, small
station on the p. & A. division of the
Louisville and Nashville railroad bur-
ly black turpentine negro named Bill
Young made a brutal assault on the .16-
year-old daughter of Mr.. James Barrow,
highly respected farmer living one and
half miles west Of Chipley. The negro
was lynched Saturday afternoon by
mob of over 200 farmers.
Miss Barrow was at her fathers home
early Friday morning with her infant
brother. The young lady sat at the sew
ing machine and was utterly oblivious
that any danger was near. The house
was isolated from the town and was sur
rounded by a large field, so that the ne
gro gained his point with apparent ease.
AS Miss Barrow sat at the machine she
was suddenly Mortified to feel the revolt
yer pressed against her temple, and turn
ing, saw a big negro standing over her
in very threatening manner. She was
warned not to make an cutlery or she
would be murdered. The brute then or
dered or forced her into back room OF
the house and tore her garments away.
She was so frightened that she realized
her life was endangered and quietly sub
mitted to the blacks passions.
When his lustful desires had been sat
isfed he lounged around a short time,
then left. Just before he left, however,
little brother of the girl suddenly APP
peared, and seeing the state of things,
ran off, saying Papa was coming" This
scared Young and he left, going over the
hills, to which place he told his victim
to send her father. and he would kill
him.
The father soon came and was appraised
by his daughter of what had occurred.
He was blinded with rage and desire for
revenge and justice. and rushed out to
saddle his horse to spread the news. In
his hurry to saddle his horse the girth
was broken and he attempted to fix it.
In his desperate haste the knife which
he employed to make a hole for the
buckle slipped and the blade entered the
old mans thigh. making a dangerous
wound, which -necessitated him being
taken to the town in a conveyance. This
delayed the information from reaching
Chipley for about three hours, during
which time the brute was making tracks
westward. The deed was committed at 8
clock and the citizens we're not made
aware of the deed until 1880 o'clock.
When the report. did become known the
widest excitement prevailed. The people
armed themselves and at least 100 posses
were formed, and by them the woods and
every road scouredg The negro had got
rated citizens and had gone westward,
1t soon became known that he had been
seen hurrying4 along the railroad, and
Detective Thomas Watts, who is mayor
OF the town, secured a hand car and took
run to Nellie, Sax miles away, where
he was. informed that the negro had
passed.
Young was sighted and captured near
Cattondale, fifteen miles west of Chip
ley. He denied his name and all knowl-
edge of the affair, but later confessed.
He was heavily armed, but for some rea-
son made not Inc least resistance and al
lowed himself to be taken back to the
scene of his crime, where a large crowd
of citizens had congregated to await his
return. S&1 ss.t 81
The citizens under the persuasion of
Mayor Watts, executed no violence and
allowed the black to be taken to Jail
and there confined on a promise that a
speedy trial would be arranged.
He remained in jail unmolested until
Saturday. when crowd of about 200
quietly surrounded the jail and the FIVE
guards compelled to, give up the prisoner.
The jail was forced open and the tremb-
ling black taken therefrom. He was led
to spot about one mile from town when
he was dashed to,7a tree from head to
foot and literally shots to- pieces by the J
justly infuriated acitfzeHss about 1000 shots
from shot guns, pistols and rifles being
poured into the black repuIsive body.
The night. before he was readily iden-
titled by Miss Barrow as her assailant.
and after being taken back to jail, made
full confession toiMayor Watts, which
was put in writing and the negroes sigma
ture placed to 1t. He then began to pray,
saying he "Jes' knowd the mems would
kill me fore mornin'." His death did not
come as soon as. hei expected. however.
After having been dashed to the tree,
-.
ing he hoped to meet those composing the
mob in glory. He also hoped to meet his
parents, whom he had not seen in eight
years. When he said this, the first shot
rang out and this started the fusilade,
which lasted for fifteen minutes and was
never before equalled in the neighborhood.
The mob which was composed Of people
from the vicinity. quietly dispersed, and
yesterday the usual calm pervaded the
prosperous little town.
When the emaciated body was found"
the coroner was summoned and empan-
eled a jury, which quickly rendered the
following unique verdict: 1--WE, the jury, |
find that William Young. alias Freeman
Young. deceased, came to his death from
heart failure, produced from gunshot
wounds. inflicted at the hands of parties
unknown"
Young came from Waycross, Ca, and is
described as of very large statue, very
black, and 20 years Of age. About two
weeks since he attempted to rape ne
gro girl at Chipley and as the white mob
was forming. many negroes gathered and
wanted to participate in the "necktie par
ty." They were not allowed to do so,
however.
To the efforts of Mayor Watts is largely
due the fact that Young was captured,
for the mayor exerted himself in the mat
ter and caught the black fifteen miles
from the scene and within five hours after