The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1901-06-28
A SECRET ORDER
Among Negroes in Louisiana
causss Lynching,
TWO or rHE BAND HUNG.
The Membsrs Claim TO DO Prin-
cos' and Their Order
Called Tho Church Of
the Living God.

Tho lynching Of two negroes Thurs.
day night noar Shreveport La, oroatod
sensation, as with tho oxoitomont
dying out it was thought their livos
would bo spared until tho murdoror
Edwards was captured. Aspeoial from
Shreveport, howovor, says ovidonoo was
discovered so clearly establishing tho
guilt Of Smith and M. Land as onomios
of tao whito aud dangerous clements t.
DO loft at largo among tho negroes that
tho people Of Bossior regarded thcir
execution as essential to the presorva.
ton Of ordor in tho parish.
ho evidence obtained by the polioo
showed the following facts: Tho or
eanization Of which ''Prophot Smith"
was the head had its origin in Houston,
and was known as tho Church Of tho
Living God. Throo members of tho su-
prsmc council, ss indicated BY tbs
printed lotter heads, were: Smith and
NJ: Land, who wore lynohod, and Princa
Edwards, the murderer Of Foster.
Smith, whom ho came to Lou isiana, os
tablished himsolt at Shreveport, but
was finally ordered away by tho chief
of police as dangerous character
After the shooting an official soaroh Of
his promises was instituted and tho
Ark Of tho Covenant, rudoly oon-
structod box with q 'hoodoo" design
on and within it was found. Whom it
WAS touched by the soarchers the no.
groes were greatly terrified and stated
that but one had advan sod far enough
to lay hands on the sacred box. The
members of tho church, who wcro
known as prinoos, hold regular moot.
ings, at which Smith presided with the
designation of king"
Following an exact copy from the
minutes Of a mooting held on tho Eos.
tor plantation showing how business
was carried on and tho enmity that OK
listed 'betwoon Smith aud his followers
and tho chief Of police of Shreveport
and Foster, the murdered man:
Tho Royal Arohive Of tho Kingdom
OF u ID mot in supreme council, sang
Dark Was tho Night" Oponod by
reading 81 chapter Of Isaiah. After
e. <. Smith, tho king, was announced
to the meeting he stated that ho was ad.
viaed Of God to call tho princes to.
gether in council to doodle what should
be done with the ohiof Of police and
his forco for interfering with the King
Of tho Church of God in Shreveport,
Prince Webb being the first to ariae
said he was in favor Of demanding ELK
months atH Lotion upon the chief Prince
ll,cks said he was in favor Of the same,
also Prince NJ. Land, also Prince John,
son, also p inoo Edwards. All o,n
CURED in demanding six months llo
ton Oh the chief at tho L.ko Of Shrcy,-
port. Tho next case was that Of the
Rockers Of the Building The case
was dooided All that are rock build
ing must be punished with death with.
in four days. A complaint was taken
against j. NJ. Fostor that ho should be
tormented until he givo consent that
all the saints leave tho place f"
Before ho was lynohed Thursday
night Smith confessed that he had
loaded tho gun with which Foster was
killed.
Many letters Of an inoondiary char.
actor writton by Smith and his gang
wero found. The discovery of those
evidences of conspiracy led to Thurs
day nights lynohing.
Sheriff Thompson Of Bossior made
no attempt to interfero in view of the
superior nun hora of tho moh