The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-10
He Is the Negro that Brutally MUIR
dered Thomas Burke and At.
tempted His Wife's Life.
ANGRY MOB WAS AFTER HIM
HE WAS DISCOVERED In A BARN BY
A YOUNG BOY.
Police OmciaIs Had a Hard StrugRle
to Protect Alexander-SheriH
Fasig Talks.

Tattered and bleeding from several cuts
on his back. Matthew Alexander, the negro
murderer of Thomas Burke and the assail-
ant of Mrs. Burke, of Terre Haute was
brought to this city last night at z o'clock
to escape mob of Terre Haute lynchers
who were eager for the blood Of Alexander.
When the prisoner was brought into the po-
lice station he was hatless and almost coat
less, as the enraged mob at Terre Haute citi-
zens had frantically tried to get the negro.
He was greatly frightened and his nervous
black eyes wandered quickly to the doors.
watching carefully every one that entered.
Alexander did not breathe freely until the
big locks on the doors at the Jail had been
turned on him in his cell in murderers'
row.
Accompanying the prisoner to this city
were Mayor Steeg, Prosecutor Beal, Sheriff
Fasig, Patrolmen Armstrong, Federson.
Patterson, Hartness and several newspaper
men who also came to assist the officers.
Sheriff Fasg. in talking of the arrest of
Alexander, said: THE attention of Patrol
men Armstrong, Hartness and Federson
was called to w. E. Burns's stable by
Burns's sixteen-year-old son about o'clock
this afternoon. The boy was playing in the
barn, and, seeing Alexander in the hay loft,
ran outside and told several men. When
they started into the stable young Burns
again ran outside and called the policemen.
They went back into the barn and saw that
Alexander was there. Young Burns was so
excited that he ran down the street, telling
all his friends and in short time the front
of the barn was massed with.excited and
curious people. The policemen, realizing
that they would have to be careful in ar
resting their prisoner, and so as not to
arouse the public's attention, went outside
and told the crowd that mistake had been
made by young Burns. All the time, how
ever, one of the patrolmen remained in the
barn watching Alexander.
GOT A CARRIAGE.
The two patrolmen who left the barn
went uptown and hired carriage. Part
of the crowd dispersed, thinking that a
mistake had been made, but others were
not to be fooled. The carriage containing
the two policemen attracted attention and
people swarmed to Burns's stable Alex
ander was taken from the hay loft, placed
in the carriage and started toward the
Jail. The crowd, which was swelling all
the time made rush for the vehicle, and
escape the shower of rocks and stones.
After placing Alexander in Jail it seemed
that the whole town had become acquaint-
ed with the fact of his arrest, and the
streets adjoining the prison began to
swarm with angry men. Burkes funeral
was held this morning and as he was a
member of several Catholic societies the
members were not working and they re-
mained about town all day. AS soon as
the arrest was known they hurried to the
place and also participated in the demon
stration against Alexander
I'VE saw at once that the fate of a negro
two years ago would be Alexander's DOR
ton, and made preparations for his
protection. We sent several policemen and
deputy sheriffs to the front of the jail TO
plead with the men and boys to go awav
and let the law take its course Some
needed the words, while others were Oh
excite others to rashness. While the crowd
stood in front of the Jail we resolved To
bring the prisoner to Indianapolis An
other carriage was obtained and We drove
to Ellsworth, small station about five
miles north Of Terre Haute. on the Big
-Four Railroad. We made arrangements 10
hoard the train at this point, but We later
learned that the train was late. We then
drove back to Terre Haute. The Vandalia
train was due at $40 O'Clock. The crowd
followed and matters began to look bad
around the Union Station as we waited
for the train. While the crowd swelled
we tried a ruse and drove 10 junction
three miles east of town near the fair
grounds. We arrived there safely and
waited for the coming of the train. Few