The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-14
|. JOHN, HENDERSON
BURNED At STAKE
Negros Penalty For a
Brutal Crime.
| CONFESSED HIS GUILT.
Five Thousand People Witnessed the
Execution.
BORE SUFFERING sTOICALLY.
he Negro Was Captured After Long Chase
With Bieodhounds-fIc Was Bound to
Railroad Iron Set Up in the
Ground, Ills Clothes Satu.
rated With Oil and
Match Applied.
BORE SUFFERING sT0ICALLY.
fBv Associated Press ,

CoRSIC1NN1t. TEN4NS. March E1,-John
Henderson, the negro who brutany as
saulted and murdered Mrs Younger. a
farmers Wife, living just outside this
city. several days ago, was burned to
death in tho courthouse square here at
noon to-day
n written confession of the crime. at
testet by Justice Roberts, was secured
from the prisoner.
Five thousand people witnessed the
burning and business WAS practically
suspended for II time. Henderson was
traiIed by bsoodhounds from the Younger
homestead many miles back and forth
across the country and was finally cap
tured near iiiishcro. Officers took him
to the latter place, and We're impeiied.
through fear of mobs, to start for Fort
Worth, When the train reached ItaSca
q party of Younger's friends overpowcred
the guards and hurried Henderson from
the train. He was conveyed across the
prairie. Il distance of forty-five miles, to
Corscana- where he was placed in jai,
to prevent the infuriated citizens from
tearing him to pieces.
MADE FULL CONFESSION.
A committee was appointed to see him
and pass finally upon his guilt or iniio-
cence. EIe made a written confession
that he had murdered an unknown white
lady three miles north of torslcan;t
March 9Th There was no one present. he
said but himself and the womans two
little children. He said he did not know
why he did it,
When it became public that Henderson
had confessed, people swarmed around
the faiI. It was decided TO burn the pris~
ouer at the stake at T. NJ. out news
was received that troops had been started
| from DALLAS. and the execution was hur-
ried. \ railroad rail was driven into the
ground in the corner of the Courthouse
| square Boxes and dry timber were Piled
around it and saturated with oil. just
before noon about forty rushed from the
iail across the square to the place "here
The rail had beer planted. In their midst
| was Henderson. handcuffed-
THE. MATCH APPLIED
| The men formed u circle, holding to
chain which surrounded the prisoner. ."
! prevent the crowd from tearing him
| away The negro was fastened 10 lhs
| rail with wire and chains. Cans OF oil
| were empted over his clothing and
! dozens of lighted matches touched the
| fnfarnnabie material. The fire alarms
! were rung and the stores of the city
| were deserted as their occupants rushed
| TO the square to witness the burning.
| lust as the pile was fired. CONWAY
! Younger husband of the murdered
| woman. jumped at Henderson and siasne"
| hin, across The face with a. knife. Hen
| derson gave no Indication of pain or
| suffering. He rolled his eyes to get a
I glimpse of the angry races which sur
| rounded him and there was slshI
| ,,oyement of the hands. In ten minutes
| WIS dead
| At no time did he MAKE an outery oeher
I than an occasional groan-
| Justice Fl. G Roberts held an inquest
| over the remains of Henderson ana gave
| the following verdict:
: ~ fnd that the deceased came to his
| aeath at the hands of the iucensed and
! outraged feelings of the best people in
the United States-thc citizens OF NaVaf-
ro and adjoining counties. The evidence.
| ~ vol, as the confession of guilt by de-
! ceased. shows that his punishment was
fr,Iv merited and commendahle