The age-herald., 1901-08-21
One Man Has Been LVnched and Another Burned to
 Death in His Home
SEVERAL HOUSES DESTROYED
Since Murder of Miss Wild the People of Pierce City Have Decreed That No Negroes Can Live in
 the Town.

Pierce City, Mo, August 20.-For nearly fifteen hours ending about noon today this town of 5000 people has been in the hands of a mob of armed whites, trying to drive every negro from it's precincts In addition to the lynching last night of Will Cooley, accused of the wanton mur- der of Miss Gazelle Wild and the shoot ing to death of his grandfather. French Cooley. the mob today cremated Pete Hampton, an aged negro, in his home, set the torch to the house of five blacks and with the aid of State militia rifles stolen from the local company's arsenal, drove dozens of negroes from the town. After noon the excitement died down, the mob gradually dispensing more from lack of victims upon which to wreak their hatred than for any other cause. Many of the negroes who fled are hiding in the surrounding woods, while others have gone greater distances in seeking safety. Every negro has left the town except a few railroad porters known to be re- spectacle. but who must also leave. The citizens of Pierce City say that as negroes have committed several such crimes in the last ten years none shall live there in the future. the same feeling already existing at Monnett four miles east of Pierce City, and the end of the Frisco passenger division. It may be necessary for the road to change all porters in Springfield hereafter It is now believed that the man Will Cooley who was lynch ed was not the real culprit. A negro named Starks, under arrest at Tulza, l. T., ao~oss the border from here. tallies fexactly with the description of the mur- derer. Heis held there awaiting identifi- cation. Unless the man is brought back here 1t is believed there will be no fur ther trouble. If returned here he will surely be lynched Another suspect, Joe Lark. Is under arrest In Springfield, Mo.
 Mad. a Confession.
 Eugeuie Barrett, also known as Carter, in a confession while rope was around his neck today, accused Joe Lark, Fris- co railroad porter. of being implicated in the crime. and Lark was arrested. This evening Lark gave a detailed statement as to his whereabouts Sunday, and he is not believed to be guilty. It is not likely that either suspect will be taken to Pierce City while the excitement runs high.
 
 to save his life.
 The funeral of Miss Wild took place to- day and was witnessed by several thou sand people.
 Pierce City is near the Junction of four railroads, and these from all directions brought in large numbers of armed men today bent on bloodshed if necessary. When the mob went to the section of the city occupied by the negroes some one in the cabins opened fire but no one was hit. The mob then destroyed the five houses. but the financial loss is small. Reckless firing broke several plate glass windows, and train was fired into. None of the passengers were hurt. The rifles taken from the Pierce City military company, it is expected, will all be returned Mem bers of the company themselves were out hunting for the escaping negroes with rifles, and this suggested the idea of talk ing all the guns. The local hardware stores sold out their arms early, but sev eral applications from negroes were Ie- fused.
 No Masks Were Used.
 The mob was composed of d thousand or more and no masks were used. Thirty negro families were driven from their houses.
 New clements in the murder of Miss Wllu QeNtiOptu lOudy. IL dpptdiS Sue started home from church alone, her bro ther lingering behind. About one mile from town the brother fcdnd her with her throat cut lying lifeless near culvert. Evidence of a terrible struggle was shown. A copper colored negro was seen sitting on the bridge a short time before the tragedy occurred. It is supposed that the negro sprang upon her when she was passing and attempted to force her be-
 ', ta,-fd Ina xrrifh t<.l1 desperation that he could not accomplish his purpose and he cut her throat in the struggle Her body was not violated.
 Monday blood hounds were taken to the scene and the girls bloody handkerchief was laid before them. They immediately caught the trail and ran at full speed to the home of Joe Lark. where on being ad- nlitted they rushed into his bedroom and sprang upon the bed. It is believed that the man under arrest at Tulza who board ed with Lark, the Springfield suspect, slept upon this bed.