The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-14
MET DEATH AT THE STAKE
A Negro Burned by Mob in
C0rsicana. Texas.
speedy Punishment for the slayer
of Mrs. Younger - The Victim
Screamed for Mercy Governor
savers says He Was Deceived.

of Mrs. Younger The Victim
Screamed for Mercy Governor
Snyers says He Was Deceived.
DALLAS. Tex. March 1S.-John Hender-
son, "A negro was burned at the stake in
Corslcana between Il and Y o'clock this
morning Ten thousand persons witnessed
his death.
one week ago he assaulted and killed
b white woman, Mrs. Valley Younger,
farmers wife, three miles from Corsicana-
Since that time Navarro and adjoining
counties have been in a rage and it was
declared openly by the white farmers that
Henderson must be given over to them
or race war would result.
Several white women have been assault
ed and murdered by negroes near Corsi-
cana within a year The Navarro County
officers for the last week have been trying
to elude the mobs by moving Henderson
from one county to another. Since sun
day he had been in Hillsboro. Bolton, and
Waco jails.
Last night he was being removed to
Fort Worth from Waco. as it was learned
that a Navarro mob would try to storm
the Waco Jail. At Itasca. midway be
tween Waco and Fort Worth, mob was
formed.
The men seized the train long enough to
take the prisoner from the officers ana
then they started overland TO Corsicana
fortv-fve miles. arriving there with Hen
derson at an early hour this morning.
A hasty preliminary trial was given to
tn, negro by the mob and 1t was made
clear that he was guilty. Death sentence
was passed on him He weakened and
innplored that he be not burned. He said
IL he must die, he wished to be shot or
hanged.
The mob determined to burn him and
fixed the hour at o'clock this afternoon.
They told Henderson he could see his rel
atives and have the time necessary to
prepare for death.
About 10 a. m it was rumored that
Governor Sayers was preparing to hurry
state militia and Rangers to Corsicana.
The mob was not to be thwarted and 1t
was decided to kill Henderson at once
rather than risk interference.
AUSTIN. Tex. March 1S.-Governor
Savers will tomorrow send a special mes
sage to the Legislature on the subject OF
the burning Of John Henderson. He feels
that the State has been greatly outraged
by the act OF the mob and he will recon-
mend vigorous legislative action with the
view to bringing the guilty persons to
justice and TO provide against such crimes
in this State in the future.
Governor Savers is highly indignant at
the local authorities of Corsicana and
Navarro counties for the alleged manner
in which they imposed upon him to get
the prisoner back to the scene of his
crime. and he charges that the authori-
ties have played into the hands of the
mob.
1ta
following message:
"Corsicana. Tex, March 13.
Coy Joseph ID. SayeTs, austin. Tex:
Citizens in mass meeting give as
surances. which | believe, that john
Henderson can safely stand his pr
liminary trial VIII you wire sheriff
10 return prisoner? Answer.
20 c. KIRNEN.
District Attorney
The Governor replied to the message as
follows;
Austin. Tex, March 70.
Hon O L Kirven. District Attor-
ury. CorsiCana, Tex:
III you and the sheriff feel sure
that the prisoner VIII be secure from
mob violence and that the law VIII
he permitted to take its course not
only before and during the prelimi-
nary trial. but also afterward. then
there can be no objection TO his being
brought back. But his safety must be
assured beyond question.
JOSEPH d. SAVERS.
Governor.
In view OF the above telegraph mes
sage, the Governor says that the civil
authorities OF Navarro County imposed
on him He says that had he not re-
ceived the assurance that the prisoner
would have been protected he would not
have permitted him to have been taken
out of the Waco jail. He sent some
very strong dispatches to the officers at
Corsicana today.
When the Governor was informed this
morning that a mob had the prisoner and
intended burning him he wired to the
District Attorney to protect the negro
Steps were taken to call out the militia
At Corsicaua by order of the Governor.
but the mob had done it's work before
any attempt was made to execute the
order.