New-York tribune., 1901-06-08
LYNCHING PREVENTED.
GEORGIA SHERIFF SAVES NEGRO PRIS-
ONER, But HAS To KILL ONE
MAN IN MOB.

CarroItOn. Ca. June THE nerve OF an oh
scure Georgia Sheriff. whose name is Joseph
Merritt. to-day upheld the law of the State and
saved the life Of a negro from mob. In pro-
tecting the negro. who had been saved from the
gallows only a few hours before through the
efforts OF his lawyers. one life lost and two
men We're wounded. The arrival Of the State
militia averted threatened trouble tonight and
at O'Clock n special train took the negro. whose
crime the murder Of little white boy whom
ne found fishing alone. and his guard TO At
lanta The man killed in attacking the Jail was
George Bennett OF CarrolltOn. and the wounded
men are Thomas s Word. father Of the muir
dered boy. and unknown man. presumably a
farmer
Williams the negro. was tried and found
guilty OF numbering Otis Word on January
this year and sentenced 10 be hanged to-day. a
trial being refused by Judge Harris this
morning. His attorneys. however filed a bill of
exceptions. and carried the to the Supreme
Court.
A large number OF persons had come TO town
10 witness the hanging. and when 1t was learned
that an appeal had been taken TO the Supreme
Court. delaying execution. there was much talk
which crystallized in the formation of a mob.
At noon the mob made an assault on the jail
They battered down the outside iron door. de-
building. They made a demand the Sheriff
for the key TO the negro's CELL but this re-
fused. With the refusal they began their ad-
vance upon the Sheriff and the few deputies
which ne had been able 10 summon to his aid
They told TO stop, they would be fired
on. but the order was not obeyed.
AS they advanced down the corridor toward
the Sheriff the order given to fire. Bennett
fell, dying almost instantly Thomas Word. the
father OF Williamss victim, who was in the
front OF the mob. was badly shot was also
an unknown countryman.
The unexpected resistance of the Sheriff and
his posse frightened the mob and they
treated outside the Jail. Here they broke and
ran, and soon divided into little groups
discussing the event.
Sheriff Merrill at once consulted Judge Harris
Of the County Court. and II decided to call
upon Governor Gambler for aid. The Governor
communicated with by telephone. and said
he would send two companies from Atlanta
soon as they could be assembled.
In the afternoon members of the mob telephoned
the situation to friends in the adjoining towns
of Villa Rica and Temple, and made an appeal
for more men TO effect the capture of the negro.
This was communicated also to Governor Cam
dler and the Governor soon sent proclamation
to the people of the county. Ii read from
the steps Of the courthouse at o'clock by the
Mayor. The Governor commanded the people
to disperse. and said the entire military and
civil forces of the State would be used TO enforce
order IL necessary. The reading of the proc
lamation apparently had good effect, as many
persons were 10 mount their horses and
leave town.
Much apprehension was felt for the night. and
the Sheriff and city and county officials after
a consultation. decided to take the prisoner out
of the county for safekeepng The Atlanta
militia, under command of Major Barker ar
rived about @ o'clock and one hour later escort
ed the negro and Sheriff to the train.