Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-09-30
BURNED AT THESTAKE
Negro Pays an Awful Penalty for
Crime in Mississippi.
CONFESSED THE DEED
lie Told Of the Assault and Murder OF
Mrs. Whitfield and Then Con.
fessed 10 Other Grimes lie
Had Committed There.

Corinth. Miss. Sept. Writing
in the flames OF fagots piled high by
hundreds Of citizens Tom Clark, alias
VIII Gibson, young negro. was
burned at the stake here at a late
hour Sunday Clark had confessed 10
one OF the most atroclous assaults and
murders In the history OF north Mis-
sissippI and said that he deserved his
awful fate.
On Aug 10 last Mrs. Carey Whit.
field. the wife OF a well known citl-
zen was found dead in her home. In
vestigation showed that she had been
assaulted and her head was practl-
cally severed from her body. a razor
having been used in the bloody work.
Both Whitfield and his wife were 70
lated TO several Of the most prominent
families In the south and the lndlg.
nation OF the people knew no bounds.
Corinth and the surrounding country
was secured In an effort 20 apprehend
the murderer. but diligent search failed
10 disclose his Identity.
A week ago IL became known that
Tom Clark. a negro living near here.
had had trouble with his wife and the
latter threatened % disclose the Sc
cret Of a crime. Officers apprehended
the woman and she told enough TO
warrant the belief that Clark had muir
dered Mrs. Whitfield. Clark was ar.
rested and Saturday finally confessed
TO the murder and also told Of other
crimes that he had committed. lie
said that several years ago he killed
two men on an excursion train In Mis-.
slssippi lie told OF an outrage perpe.
trated by himself upon a negro woman
and also of the theft OF $500 from a
physician az 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 10 deceive the officers OF the
law.
The news Of the negro's arrest and
confusion spread rapidly over the sur
rounding country and Sundays trains
brought hundreds OF people into the
city. The crowds became so great
that at midday the the main street Of
the town was ordered cleared and the
announcement was made that IL had
been decided 10 burn Clark az $3.50
o'clock In the afternoon. This state
mont caused much excitement and
surging crowds Of people began 20
gather about the place selected for the
enactment ~ the awful tragedy
AZ o'clock pine faggots and larger
pieces Of wood were carefully laid
about an iron rod which was driven
deep into the ground and half an hour
later Il was announced that all was In
readiness.
AZ 3 o'clock the prisoner was taken
from the Jail by posse OF armed men
and followed by a large and excited T.
crowd Of men and boys. was Ted 10 the F.
east gate OF the negro cemetery where F.
he was completely fastened 90 the iron .
rod Clark was asked n be cared % /
make statement re again said that .
he deserved the fate prepared for him F.
and asked that a letter be delivered f.
TO his mother and brother He ap.
pealed 10 his brother to raise his chill .
dren properly. admouishIng them % I
beware Of evil companions Finally T.
fire was set 20 the wood and the body T.
was burned 10 a crisp.