The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-03

~1lSS-. SSpl- Zo.-H I4IAAAl6 "a
the flames of fagots piled high by hun
dreds Of citizens, Tom Clark alias VIII
Gibson, a young negro, was burned al
the stake here at a late hour today.
Clark had confessed to one of the most
a%trociOus assaults and murders in the
history of Mississippi, and said that he
deserved his awful fate.
On August 18th last Mrs. Carrie
Whitfield, the wife of a welEknoWn
citizen, was found dead in her home.
Investigation showed that the lady had
been assaulted. Her head was prac-
ticalIy severed from her body. Both
Whitfield and his wife were related to
several Of the los 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 apprehend
the murderer, but diligent search failed
TO disclose his identity. Two detectives
from Chicago We're employed, but their
Efforts were fruitless. Several suspects
were arrested, but in each case an alibi
was proven. A committee of twelve cit
!Zens were named to continue the
search for the murderer and these men
have been very active in their work.
On Monday last it became known thai
Tom Clark a negro living here, had
trouble with his wife, and the latter
threatened to disclose the secret OF d
crime Officers apprehendeG the woman
and she told enough to warrant the be-
lief that Clark had murdered Mrs.
Whitfield
Clark was arrested and yesterday was
brought before the committee of II in
COrinth. The negro finally confessed 10
the murder and also told of other
crimes h a ne had committed. He said
that several years ago he killed two
men on an excursion train in Missis-
slppi. He told of an outrage perpatrat-
ed by himself upon a negro woman and
also Of the theft of $1,000 from a phyi-
cla at French Camp, Miss. Clark said
that 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
nearing the confession the committee
decided that the negro should be hang
ed from a telegraph pole in the street.
Clark said he deserved death but asked
that n execution be delayed until to-
day so he could nave a farewell inter-
View with his mother and brother, who
lived in Memphis. The reQuest was
granted and the two relatives were tele-
graphed for, but it was learned they
We're in Mississippi.
Meanwhile the negro's arrest became
known over the surrounding country
and today's incoming trains brought
hundreds of people into the city to wit
ness h execution. The crowds became
so great that at midday the main street
was ordered cleared and the announce
ment was made that it had been decided
TO burn Clark at $3.50 O'Clock in the af-
ternOOn- This statement caused much
excitement and surging crowds began
to gather about h place selected for
the enactment of the awful tragedy. At
? o'clock pine fagots and larger pieces
of wood were carefully laid about an
iron rod which was driven deep into the
ground. Half an hour later it was IN
nOunced that all was in readiness. At
3 O'Clock the prisoner, heavily man
acled, was taken from the Jail by a posse
of armed men, and followed by a large
crowd, was led to the east gate of the
negro cemetery, which is situated in the
western part of the city. Fagots and
wood a been piled high around the
stake and the negro was securely fast
ened to the iron rod.
Clark was asked if he cared to make
a statement He again said hat he de-
served the fate prepared for him, and
asked that a letter be delivered to his
mother n brother. He appealed to
his brother to raise his children prop
erly ~admonishing them to beware Of
evil companions. Finally the word was
given to fire the funeral pile. The hus-
band and brother of Clark's victim
stepped forward and applied orches,
and in a momen the flames leaped up
ward enveloping the trembling negro
in smoke and fire. The clothing of the
doomed man was 500 ignited and as
the flames grew hotter his skin began to
parch. The negro moane piteously at
this j~uncture, and the agonized look up
on his ace told of the torture he was
undergoing. Finally his head fell for
ward and in a few moments he was
dead. The lanes were fed by the crowd
until his body was burned to a crisp.
Then the gathering dispersed IN All
orderly n the town soon as
sumed it's normally quiet condition.
The committee of II and many of the
representative citizens of Corinth Wig
orously opposed burning the negro and
argued that he should be hanged j. H.
Henning. of Birmingham, Ala, brother
OF Mrs. Whitfield, refused his consent
TO this proposition and insisted that
Clark should be burned. More than s.
600 persons witnessed the grewsome
tragedy, among whom were man wo-
non a Nd nh,l1-a-