New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-29
BURNED AT THE STAKE.
CROWDS WITNESS THE TERRIBLE
DEATH OF YOUNG NEGRO.

Corinth, Miss. Sept 2s.-writhing in the flames
of faggots piled high by hundreds of people Tom
Clark, alias "WilP' Gibson a young negro,
burned at the stake here at late hour to-day
Clark had confessed OF the most atrocious
assaults and murders in the history of Mississippi
and said that he deserved his awful fate On
August 19 last Mrs Carrie Whitfield found
dead in her home. Investigation showed that the
woman had been assaulted Her head was prac-
tically severed from her body. Both Whitfield and
his wife related to several Of the most promi-
nent families in the South. Corinth and the sur
rounding country secured in effort to find
the murderer iligent search failed to disclose
his identity Two detectives from Chicago were
employed, but their efforts fruitless- Several
suspects arrested. but in each case an alioi
was proved. A committee of twelve citizens was
named to continue the search for the murderer
and these have been, active in their work
On Monday last II became issIosFss that Tom
Clark, who lives near here had had trouble with
his wife, and that the latter threatened to dis
close the secret of a crime officers arrested the
woman. and she told enough TO warrant the peIlef
that Clark had murdered Mrs. Whitfield Clark
was arrested yesterday and brought before the
committee of twelve in Corinth. The negro finally
confessed to the murder and also told of other
crimes that he had committed He said that
several years ago he killed two men on an excur-
sion train in Mississippi. He told of an outrage
perpetrated by himself on a negro woman ana
also of the theft of SIS from physician at Frencn
Camp Miss Clark said that he never had been
crimes and had covered up his tracks in way TO
deceive the officers of the law
After hearing the confession the committee oe-
cided that the negro should be hanged from a teie-
eraph pole in the street Clark said he deserved
death but asked the execution be delayed untii
TODAY that he might have farewell interview
with his mother and brother who lived IN Mem
phis The request granted. and the Two reia-
tives telegraphed for. but II was iedrneo 'a1
they were in Mississippi
Meanwhile the news of the negros arrest ana
confession spread rapidly over the surrounding
country and to-days incoming trains orought nun
dreds of people into the city TO witness the Nnch-
ing The crowds became so great that at MIDDAY
tbe main street of the town ordered cleared
and the announcement was made that IL was oe-
cided to burn Clark at $50 o'clock IN the afternoon
This afternoon amid much excitement. surg1ns
crowds of people began TO gather about the place
selected for the enactment OF the Tragedy Al
o'clock pine fagots and larger pieces OF "ooo were
carefully laid about an iron rod which was driven
deep into the ground Half an hour later II was dh
A. 2 o,ciock the prisoner heavily manacled. was
from the jail by posse oi al afee s inst s sate
of the nesro cemetery. which is situated IN tns
western part of the city RACES @ sn9 s the negro
was securely fastened TO the iron rod. CIdrh Nds
asked if he cared 10 make stateneay a for him
and asked that letter be delivered TO his gnother @
and brother He appeaedo 5o rs Them to
Of evil companions Finally the word was given 70
fire the pile The husband ana oFo,e ,nEcb e and in
a moment the flames leaped upward, enveoplns
the trembling negro IN smoke ana ana igni,ed ard as
s tb a. a,mes grew hotter his skin began 20 parch
The negro moaned pite9us@s @ at toId ~ the torture
he was undergoing Finally ms nead zen dol E
on his breast and in few minutes ntI ne th bov
was burned crisp.