Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-12
SHERIFF WHOHASGR
One Develops in Georgia and Pre-
vents an Outrage on
the Law.
MOB DOES NOT HEED A WARNING
One Rioter Dies and Two. Others Stop
Bullets-Then the Mob Runs
and the Governor Acts.

Carrollton. Ga, June S-The grit
of Georgia sheriff whose name Is
Joseph Merrill, yesterday upheld the
law of the state and saved the life of
negro from n mob. In protecting the
negro, who was saved from the gal
lows only Il few hours before through
the efforts Of his lawyers, one life was
lost aud two men were WOUNDED. The
arrival of the state militia averted
threatened trouble last night, and at
0 o'clock . special train bearing the
negro, whose crime was the murder of
n little white boy whom he found fish
Ing alone, was speeding toward At
lanta under guard. The man killed in
attacking the jail was George Ben
nett, of Carrollton, and the wounded
men are Thomas Smith, also of Car
rollton, and an unknown man, presum-
ably farmer. Thomas s. Word, fa-
ther of the murdered boy, who was in
the front rank of the wOuld-be lynch
ers, was not hit. After Bennett fell
Word jumped upon window sill and
exclaimed dramatically:
"Shoot me, Mr.. Sheriff; l would as
soon die now rs any time"
Postponed Hanging Causes the Trouble.
Williams. the negro who caused the
trouble, was tried and found guilty of
numbering Otis Word on JAN 1, 1891,
and sentenced to be hanged yesterday.
He was only yesterday morning re-
fused n new trial by Judge Harris, but
his attorneys filed bill of exceptions
and carried tie case to the supreme
court. A large crowd of people had
come to town to witness the hanging,
and when 1t was learned that an ap-
peal had been taken 10 the supreme
court, delaying the execution, there
was much excited talk, which crystal
lied soon after in the formation of a
mob. AT noon the mob made an as
sault on the jail. 1t battered down the
outside doors despite the warning Of
the sheriff, and entered the building.
But the Sheriff Did HIS Duty.
1t made a demand on the sheriff for
the key to the negro's cell, but was
refused. With the refusal it began its
advance upon the sheriff and the few
deputies which he had been able to
summon to his aid. The rioters were
told to stop or they would be fired on,
but the ORDER was not obeyed AS
ward the sheriff the order was given
to fire. Bennett fell. dying almost in
stantly.
And the Mob Found 1t Out.
The unexpected fight of the sheriff
and his little posse frightened the
mob, and 1t retreated outside of the
Jail. Here the rioters broke and ran,
and were soon divided into little
groups discussing the event. Sheriff
Merrill at once consulted Judge Har-
ris, of the county court and 1t was
decided to call upon Governor Gambler
for old. The governor was commune
Gated with by telephone. and said he
would send two. companies from At
lanta as soon as they could be assem-
bled. During the afternoon the lead.
ers Of the mob telephoneu the situa-
ton to friends In the adjoining towns
of Villa Rica and Temple, and made
an appeal for more men to get possess
sion of the negro. This was commune
Gated also to Governor Gambler, and
the governor soon wired proclama-
ton to the people of the county.
Governor Demands Civilization.
1t was read from the steps of the
court house by the mayor. The gov.
ernor commanded the people to dis
perse, and said the entire military and
civil forces of the state would be used
to enforce order, If necessary. The
reading of the proclamation apparent
~ had good effect, as many people
were seen to mount their horses and
leave town. Much apprehension was
felt for the night, and the sheriff and
city ana county officials, after a con-
sultation. decided to take the prisoner
out Of the county for safe-keeping.
The Atlanta militia, under command OF
Major Barker. arrived about 6 o'clock,
and one hour later escorted the negro
and Sheriff Merrill to the train, which
was soon speeding southwark to At.
lanta.