The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-20
THE LOUISIANA LYUCHING
Hanging of Two Men Followed by
a Search for Edwards.
The Mob Determined to Execute the
Alleged Slayer of John Grey Fos-
tcr-IntenSe Excitement Prevails
at Bentcn-An Investigation Begun


SHREVEPORT. La, June 2O-Tntcnse
excitement prevails as the result of the
lynching Of the two coIored men believed
to have been implicated in the murder Of
John Grey. Foster, one of the most. popu-
lar young men in the community and a
brother-in-law of Governor McAfllin, of
Tennessee Following the lynching of
Frank Smith and f. D. McLand at an
early hour this morning, armed men be
gan another search for Prince Edwards,
who is believed to be the murderer II
Edwards is taken, he will be strung up
without ceremony as the citizens are ter
Tibly angered over the crime. They are
certain that he is hiding somewhere in
the neighborhood- He escaped at the
time Smith and McLand were arrested
An investigation of this morning.
lynching has been begun, but nothing is
expected 10 come Of it. 1t is claimed that
those who took part in it are the best
citizens in Benton and they declare that
it was absolutely necessary to hang the
two coIored men in order to preserve the
safety Of the white people
The mob broke into the jail at Benton,
seized the prisoners. took them to tree
on the Arkansas Road and hanged them.
The arrangements for the IynchinS were
quietly made YESTERDAY Citizens Of Boss
ier and Caddo parishes assembled in the
streets Of Benton at night, all being arm
ed The crowd was quickly organized,
leaders appointed, and the advance upon
the jail begun. With revolvers drawn,
the mob demanded the keys from the Of
ficers in charge The keys were refused
An attack on the jail was immediately
made, the officials seized, ard after a
desperate struggle overpowerci and the
keys secured
The crowd. with fierce yeHs, then
searched the prison until they found the
cells in which Snith and McLand were
confined. They were led out at the end Of
ropes, trembling with fright
The journey down the Arkansas road
was soon competed As Smith was drag
ged along he frequently exclaimed: Lord,
you promised to be with me now" Halt
ing at the tree selected for the execution
the mob told the prisoners Of their fate
and urged them to make 2 fun confession
of the Foster murder and to reve-d he
Whereab bouts Of Edwards. Both men yIgoT-
ously denied tilat they had anything to
do with the crime They were then given
time for prayer. Smith prayed ferventIy,
but McI-and remained silent Ropes were
then placed around the necks Of the
doomed men and thrown over limb The
leader gave the word, and with a rush
backward the mob swung the men into
the sir Smith continued praying until
the tightening rope prevented utterance.
McLaud did not make q sound as he was
swung upward The ropes were then made
fast and the mob returned to town
Smith was known in this section as
Prophet" Smith and was the head of the
Church Of GCd,- newly organized re-
ligieUs sect. which is held mainly re-
spOnsible for the ilI-feeIing against the
whites that resulted in the murder Of
Foster II was on account of their con-
nectIon with this sect that Smith and Nc
I.ard rrere arrestff