The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-03-14
NEGRO BURNED
ALIVE in TEXAS
COroner's Verdict Declares Death
Merited and COmmendabIe.
HAD CONFESSED HIS CRIME
Trains Overloaded With People Anxious to
Witness Awful Spectacle Husband
Of Murdered Woman SIasbed
Negro Across Face.

ST. LOUIS. March ia special t,
the Post Dispatch from Corsicana. TEX
as, says:
John Henderson. the negro who out
ragged and murdered Mrs. Younger sew
eral days ago, was burned at the stake
this afternoon, after making COM
plete confession, by a mob in the pres
ence OF more than 5000 people
Henderson had been taken to Hills
boro in fear OF the mob that gathered
in this city soon after his arrest.
Last night the officers in charge Of
the negro started to take him to Fort
Worth for safety. When the train
reached Itasca the officers were over
powered AMI the negro taken from
them by citizens of the county, who
had gone there for that purpose.
Henderson was then brought here
When confronted With proof OF his
guilt, he confessed the crime. Prepara-
tions were at once made to put him
to death by fire. The town was filed
with people. most Of them armed, and
the sheriff could 10 nothing against
their will Seven carloads Of people
came from Ennis, Tex.
Seevral citizens made strong appeals
to the multitude to let the law inter-
vene and assured those clamoring for
the negros quick execution that he
would be punished, These appeals
availed nothing.
At 1O:45 a m. an iron pole was erect
ed in the courthouse yard IN full view
Of 5000 neople who had assembled
thereabouts.
The arst train this morning on the
Cotton Belt from Hillsboro was so
crowded that it could carry no more
Runners were sent over the county an
nouncing the arrest of Henderson and
his arrival here, and all the morning
people had been swarming into the city
to take part n or witness the execu-
tion Of the penalty TO be inflicted on
the negro. After his confession II was
decided to burn him at the stake at .
o'clock. but news was received of rang
ers and troops en- route from Dallas,
due here at u o'clock, and hurried
preparations were made to anticipate
interference. A railroad rail was driv-
en- into the ground in the corner Of
the courthouse lot and boxes and wood
piled around it and saturated with coal
oil. The crowd had increased to about
1000 at IL o'clock. About 10 made a rush
from the Jail across the street to the
courthouse. In their midst was the ne
gro. handcuffed. The men formed a
circle. holding on to a chain, which
completely surrounded Henderson. to
prevent an attempt of the enraged peo-
pie TO get at him and tear him to pieces.
They dashed TO the pile of wood and
prepared for the fire, fastening the ne
gro to the iron rail with wire and
chains Cans of oil were dashed over
his clothing and dozens of lighted
matches touched the inflammable ma
terial
At the time the fire began a bell
was rung and the stores of the city
were deserted and the streets were full
Of men, rushing to the courthouse
ground to witness the burning.
Just before the pile was fired Colonel
Way Younger, husband Of the murdered
woman, jumped at Henderson and
slashed him across the face with a
knife. AS the. flames encircled the ne
gro and ran over his clothing, the crowd
yelled and yelled, and Younger again
attempted to cut the murderer.
He rolled his eyes so as to get a
glimpse of the sea of angry faces which
surrounded him and his hands moved
slightly It was about ten minues be-
fore he was dead. during which time
the movements of his hands were be-
coming feebler. At no time did he make
IN outcry other than once a groan.
Justice H. G. Roberts, acting coro-
ner, held an inquest over the remains Of
Henderson and gave the following YER
dict:
Il find that the deceased came to his
just death at the hands of the incensed
and outraged feelings of the best peo-
pie in the United States. The evidence,
as well as the confession of guilt by
the deceased. shows that his punish
ment was fully merited and commend
able"