Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-06-29
TEos E LOUISIANA MURDERS.

LOUISIANA proclaimed to the world
that 1t had disfrsnchised the Negro
aud accordingly all cause for race an
tsgpnism had been removed.
1t seems that at FOSTER, q flag alta.
tion about five mile from SHREyK-
PORT, LOUISIANA. JOHN GRAY FosrHR
white. upbrsided the wife of PRnov
EDWARDS, saying that she was lszy
wouldn't work and .ho uld be whipped
EDWARDS told him that he had be.
ter whip her himself. Foster said he
would do so, and going TO his house,
secured gun and whip and return
ed to EDWARDS house for the purpose
OF carry ing out his threat.
he was met by PRINCE EpwARps
whe stepping outside Of his c. bin lev.
elied his shot gun and fred. Foster
WAS killed aim ost instantly.
1t is needless to say tia, EDWARDS
did not tsrry in the neighborho d. and
up to this hour of writing be had no,
been captured.
In the meantime, bowling mob of
white men eorrsIled ali of the color ed
men ard women in the settlement. and
the outlook was shat 3 wholesale Iynch
ing would ensue.
They had previously decided to burn
EDWARDS at the stake, although his
crime did not partske of the nature OF
an assault upon womAn-hood TWAS a
thirst for blood, aud the mob was de-
termined to have q victim.
There was q man living in that sec
ton by the name OF "Prophet'. SnIrH.
he had been employed by white men
SO abor agent, and he induced many
colored people from TExAs to GO to
Louisiana.
1t seemed strange that he should
have been selected as the victim of the
mob's fury. he had associated with
him y man named II. d McLAND.
1t is not charged that he had any.
thing whatever to do with the killing
of Foster. but the mob reasoned that
as he hid brought these people from
Texas ard thu we're regarded a. bsd
characters, lie must be held responsi-
bic end 30 1t was made to appear that
he was at the head OF an organisation
VII 'ch put the solored folks against
The white folks.
His doom and that Of his comp anon
was sealed. He was led forth TO die
and his faith in God never deserted
him He had committed no crime
against the law. He had violsted no
obligation. The mob decreed he must
die and he was swung up with q pray
er upon his lips and his prophetic re.
minder to the Lord that He had prom.
ised to be with him in those moments
of Afflictior.
McLAND shared the same fate, and
the end came speedily. The last nam.
ed died like q stole, and asked no fsv.
ors.
These horrible murders have te-
come 80 common that the public mind !,
seems to have become dulled and does
not respond readily enough to put a
stop to the outrsges.
EDWAkDs VIE, MANDY, SEALY
WEANs and PHILLIs HAMILTON are as
yes prisoners, and their fate is as vet
in doubt.
What right has the sheriff to arrest
innocent or guilty people unless he
has the force at hand to protect themP
EDWARDS fought to the last and is
respected and feared. Prophet
SMITH prayed to the last, and was IN.
tremendously butchered.
or the two, we think that every
right-thinkiDg colored man and con-
white one will admire Ed.
WARDS most,
We deplore these sporadic outbreaks
and they are caused By these OF head
3D., negotiating sousherners who re-
gard neither Cod nor the devil.
Lynch-law must goI I