The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-29
Tom Clark Burned at Stake in Corinth for the Murder of Mrs. Whitfield in North Mis- sissippi.
Affair Had Been Arranged for Two Days. But at Negro's Request He Was Allowed Time to See Relatives.

corlnth Miss. September 2s.-Writhing in the flames of fagots piled high by hum dreds of citizens, Tom Clark. alias VIII | Gibson. a young negro. was burned at the stake here at a late hour today. Clark had confessed to one of the most atro- cious assaults and murders in the his- tory of north Mississippi. and said that he deserved his awful fate
 On August 19 last Mrs. Carey Whit field. the wife of a well-known citizen. was found dead in her home Investiga- ticn showed that the lady had been as- saulted and her head was practically sev- cred from her body. a razor having been used in the bloody work Both Whitfield and his wife were related to several Of the most prominent families in the south, | and the indignation of the people knew no bounds Corinth and the surrounding country was secured in an effort to ap- prehend the murder but diligent search failed to disclose his identity. Two de- tectives from Chicago were employed but their efforts were fruitless. Several sus- poets were arrested. but In each case an alibi was proven A committee of twelve citizens were named to continue the search for the murder and these men have been very active in their work.
 Had Trouble With His Wife.
 On Monday last it became known that Tom Clark, a negro living near here. had had trouble with his wife and the latter threatened to disclose the secret of a crime. Officers apprehended the woman and she told enough to warrant | the belief that Clark had murdered Mrs. Whitfield. clark was arrested and on yesterday was brought before the com mittee of twelve in Corinth. The negro finally confessed to the murder and also told of other crimes that he had com | mitted. He said that several years ago he killed two men on an excursion train in Mississippi. He told of an outrage perpetrated by himself upon a negro woman, and also of the theft of S1500 from a physician at French Camp. Miss. Clark said he had never been suspected of having committed any of these crimes and had covered up his tracks in a way to deceive the officers of the law
 After hearing the confession the com mittee decided that the negro should be hanged from a telegraph pole in the street Clark said he deserved death but asked that the execution be delayed until today so that he could have a | farewell interview with his mother and brother. who lived in Memphis. The re- quest was granted and the two relatives were telegraphed for, but 1t was learned that they were in Mississippi
 Meanwhile the news of the negro's ar- rest and confession spread rapidly over l the surrounding country, and today's in- | coming trains brought hundreds of people | Into the city to witness the execution | The crowds became so great that at midday the main street of the town was ordered cleared and the announcement l boI d burn Clark at 3:30 o'clock in the after noon. This statement caused much ex- citement and surging crowds of people | began to gather about the place selected for the enactment of the awful tragedy.
 Fastened to an Iron Bar.
 l At o'clock pine fagots and larger pieces of wood were carefully laid about an iron rod which was driven deep into the ground and half an hour later 1t was announced that all was in readiness | At o'clock the prisoner, heavily man. acled, was taken from the jail by a posse of armed men and followed by a large and excited crowd of men and boys was led to the east gate of the negro cerne- tery, which is situated in the western part of the city. Fagots and wood had been piled high around the stake and the negro was securely fastened to the iron rod. Clark was asked If he cared to make statement He again said that he deserved the fate prepared for him and asked that letter be delivered to his mother and brother. He appealed to | his brother to raise his children proper | ly, admonishing them to beware of evil | companions. Finally all was in readiness and the word was given to fire the fune- real pile The husband and brother of | Clark's victim stepped forward and ap- 1 piled torches and in moment the flames l leaped upward enveloping the trembling negro in smoke and fire. The clothing of | the doomed man was sson gnited and as the flames grew hotter the skin began to parch. The negro moaned piteously at this juncture and the agonizing look upon | his face told of the awful torture he was undergoing Finally his head fell for ] ward upon his breast and fin few min 1 utes all was over. The flames were fed by the crowd until the body was burned to a crisp. Then the gathering in an or derly manner dispersed and the town soon assumed its normal condition.
 Birmingham Man Interested.
 The committee of twelve and many of the representative citizens of Corinth vigorously opposed burning the negro and argued that he should be hanged. J. H. Henning of Birmingham. Ala brother of Mrs. Whitfield. would not consent to this proposition, and insist ed that Clark should be burned. More than 5000 people witnessed the grewsome trageoy, among whom were many women and children.
 The city directory of Birmingham does not give the name of ]. H. HennIng and inquiries have failed to find anyone whu