Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-06-26
TWO NEGROES LYNcHED.
Whites Hanged "Prophef' Smith and Disciple
as Measure Of SeIf.Deiense. .a

Shreveport, La, June 22.--The lynch
ing of "Prophet" Smith aud +. d. Nc
Land at Benton last Thursday night fol-
connection with the murder of John
Gray Foster, caused no commotion here.
The two negroes were regarded as dau-
gerous characters, and there is little
commenton tho action of the mob.
Evidence was discovered so clearly es-
tablishing tho identity Of Smith and Mo-
Land as enemies of the white race and
dangerous as clements among the negroes
that their extinction came to bo regarded
as essential to the preservation of order
in the parish.
AS 1t became tho genoral belief that
Prince Edwards, tho negro accused of
killing Fostor, would never be- captured,
tho mob determined to act without fur
thor delay.
Smith confessed, just before he was
lynchcd, that he loaded the gun with
which Foster was killed. IS
INCENDIARY LETTERS FOUND.
Many letters of an incondiary, tenor,
written by Smith and his followers, were
found. Indications of conspiracios
against Chief Lake, of the Shreveport
police, Foster and others ran through
tho missivos, and in connection with the
minutes of 4 meeting Of tho "Church of
tho Living God" of which Smith was
the head, prccipitated the lynohing.
of the largo mob, made no attempt to in
terforo.
"Prophct" Smith founded tho organi-
zatiOn previously mentioned at Houston.
l.ator ho camc to Shreveport aud imme-
diatoly set about organizing here. Chief
of Police Lake declared him to be dan
gcrous person and ordered him to leave,
but hc won't no further than tho Foster
plantation.
After tho shooting of Foster Il search
of Smiths rooms revealed so-called
Ark of tho Covenant. 1t was q rudely
constructed box, bearing within and
without mystic symbols. When the
officials laid hold Of tho box tho negroes
wore panc-strickon.
Further search revealed tho minutes Of
meeting Of tho society. Its mcmbers
woro donominatcd as princes and Smith
as tho king.
MINUTES OF ROYAL ARCnIvE.
Following is n copy of tho minutes of a
meeting on tho Foster place:
"rho Royal Archive of tho Kingdom OF
God met i'll supreme council. Sang
Dark was tho Night Oponed by read
ing tho sd of Isaiah. A fter Il. K. Smith
tho king, announced tho meeting, lie
stated that ho was advised of God to call
the princes together in council to decide
what should be dono with tho chief OF
police and his forco for interfering with
the king Of the Church of God in Shrcvo
port.
"Princo Webb was in favor of demand.
ing six months ailliction upon tho chief
Prince Hicks said hc was in favor of the
same. Also Prince McLand. All con.
CURED i'll demanding six months aillic-
ton on Chof Lake, of Shreveport.
'Ncxt case WAS tho rockers of the
building. Tho case was decided: All
that rock tho building must bo punishce
with death within four days
"a complaint was taken against John
Foster that lo should be tormcntcd unit
he gave consent that AL saints leave tho
place."
NO FURTHER VIOLENCE LIKELY.
Benton, La, juno 22.-Thcro is little
excitement here over tho lynching of the
two negroes, Smith and McLand. A mol
composed of about 200 men quietly sur
rounded the parish Jail at midnight and
securing admttancc, led the two negroes
out into tho Jail yard. Smith was givcn
five minutes i'll which to pray. Tho two
men were thon swung up to nearby
tree, their bodies hanging until noon
Friday. Mcl.and met his fato stoically.