The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-04-12
Webster Johnson, Colored, Finds
Himself in Pretty Stew.
Taiks last Night Of Lynching Him-Wss
Hid by Officers 10 Save
Him.
SAID TO HAVE INsULTtD WHITE GIRL.

Webster Johnson, oolored, was the
cynosure Of many eyes in police court
this morning. The charge against him
was only disorderly conduct, but last
night there was very ominous senti-
ment against him, and if he could
have been found, he would probably
this morning not be alive to tell the
tale.
1t is claimed by the police that he
had been yesterday afternoon trying
to engage Miss Taylor, white. of ',905
N.sSixth street, in conversation. He
first, according to her story, tipped
his hat to her at Second and Broad
way about 2 O'clock, and when she
paid no attention to HIM, followed
her, and at Sixth and Monroe streets
overlook her ana tried to talk to her,
but was warned that he had better get
out OF the neighborhood as she was
going to have him arrested for insult.
ing her. A friend CHANGED to come
along aboat that time, and the negro
disappeared.
Miss Taylor started to the Clarke
laundry about : O'Clock last evening
to accompany her thirteen. year old
sister home, and claims that johnson
was waiting for her near the Illinois
Central freight depot. She fastened
towards the city, and at Fourth and
Broadway informed License Inspector
Ezell of the Negroes actions. She
went to the laundry and after getting
her sister, came back apd near Lang's
dug store told Officers Singery and
Nance her story, and they. accompan-
led her back, walking some distance
in the rear.
johnson was behind telephone
post ON the opposite side OF the street,
near Fourth and Broadway, and when
pointed out to the officers, saw them
and ran. He went up Fourth street
towards legal row, turned into Court,
and after going through numerous res
idence yards crAwled under the ser.
wants quarters at Mr.. r. @. Terrell'l
residence near Sixth and Court streets,
and was there arrested by the officers
and Q large crowd Of men who had
joined the chase.
He was looked up and later on vari-
Gus reports that were circulated result.
cd In quite . crowd collecting at
Fourth and Broadway and Fourth end
Court streets. and later ct Sixth and
Broadway, but most Of them were
there simply through curiosity, and
wanted to see the other fellows do
something.
Captain Henry Bailey soon had the
negro spirited away where he could
not have been found even IL the
"mob" had been any way formidable,
and the captain made them talk later
in the evening, saying that the charges
against the prisoner would be fully
investigated, and that he was then
not at the city hall, and the crowd
could select a man to accompany him
and see for himself, il it desired.
Later ON half dozen or more of the
men called at the hall, AMI Frank
Berry, selected by them, was taken
through the lookup and convinced that
Johnson hal been removed. This
seemed to satisfy them and about
o'clock all traces of the "mob" was
gone.
johnson was evidently frightened
when brought into the police court
room this morning. The charge
against him is disorderlyss conduct, all
that could be made of it from tho evil
ience. The case was continued until
Monday in order that it can be more
fully Investigated.
johnson says he is not guilty. To
! reporter he said he didn't know
The girl and had not spoken to or at
to speak to any white girl.
lie said he was wanted somewhere else
Tor . misdemeanor and when he saw
someone point at him and say "There
10 is" he thought they wanted to ar
'est him on that charge, and that il
he reason he ran. He was taken to
he Jail for safe keeping.