Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-01-24
THE NEGRO BURNING.
The Defense offered for the Recent
Lynching at Leavenworth.
The STATEMENT OF The SHERIFF.
The Coroner Impaneled Jury but Did Not
Hold an Inquest Resolutions Passed by
the Legislature Gov. Stanley WIN
Not Offer Reward.

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reaction following the burning of the
negro, Fred Alexander, Tuesday night
has set in. The defense that is Of
fered is that 10 assault cases which
have been committed here with
in the last six months have gone un-
avenged. The police authorities, in
catching Fred Alexander, made the
first arrest of any man against whom
there has been found any evidence of
guilt whatever. The guilt of Alex
ander as the murderer of Miss Pearl
Forbes was proved conclusively while
the man was held at the penitentiary
by his own statements. This evidence
is all to be gathered and published.
The sheriff, who is together with the
warden responsible for the removal
of Alexander from the state peniten-
tiary said: "You have no idea what
a trial have had since Alexander
was arrested Saturday. Those who
condemn me should place themselves
in my position and think what they
would have done. deplore the fact
that Alexander was burned. ! did my
duty as sheriff of Leavenworth coun-
ty. | did not request the governor
to send the state militia. l am now
glad the troops did not arrive, for if
they had there would have been sew
eral innocent lives lost The militia
could have done no good. Two COM
panies would have been powerless to
suppress the mob and / have not the
least doubt but that every national
guardsman would have been killed"
The Coroner Impaneled Jury.
Leavenworth, Kan, Jan. 1.-THE
funeral of Fred Alexander, the ne
gro who was burned at the stake
Tuesday afternoon, took place yes
terday and was attended only by the
undertaken and his assistants. The
remains were inferred in the potter's
field The coroner impaneled jury,
which viewed the remains before in
terment, but he has not decided when
he will hold an inquest, stating that
he is looking up evidence in the mat
ter, but is unable to find anyone who
can testify in the case. Nothing has
been done toward making any ar
rests, and when the mayor was asked
If he would take any steps in the mat
ter he answered: at is state case,
l have nothing to do with it"
Resolution Passed by the Legislature.
Topeka, Kan, Jan. 17-Most of the
time of the legislature yesterday was
taken up with the discussion of Tues
days negro burning in Leavenworth
The members of the legislature had
much to say on the great disgrace
which had ensued to the state. Both |
houses adopted resolution on the
subject. The resolution favors a most |
rigid investigation of all the facts and
circumstances attending the lynching
and demands that the perpetrators be
punished to the full extent of the law.
viii Not Issue Reward for Arrest.
Topeka, Kan, Jan. 17.-Gov Stan
ley decided last night that he would
not issue an offer for a reward for
the arrest of the perpetrators of Tnas-
days negro burning in Leavenworth.
ut would be absolutely no Use to is
sue the offer" said the governor. "If
the guilty parties were arrested they
would necessarily have to undergo the
first trial in Leavenworth county, and
on account of the present condition
of public sentiment there it would
be absolutely useless to attempt to
prosecute anybody there for the
crime