Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-30
MISSISSIPPI NEGRO
BURNED AT STAKE.
His Crime the Usual onc-Hc Admits
the business of Els Fatc-Hun-
dreds Sec Him Die.

CORTNTH, MISS, September %
Writing in the flames of fagots, piled
nigh up by hundreds of citizens. Tom
Clark, alias Will Gibson, a young negro
was burned at the stake here yesterday.
Clark had confessed to one of the most
aTccious assaults and murders in the
history of Mississippi, and said that he
deserved his awful fate.
On August 18th last Mrs. Carrie Whit
field, the wife of 4 wel-known citizen,
was found dead in her home. Investiga-
ton showed that the woman had been
assaulted. Her head was practically sew
cred from her body.
Goth Whitfield and his wife were re-
lated TO several of the most prominent
families in the South. and the indgna-
ton of the people knew no bounds. Cor
NTH 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 were en-
| ployed, but their efforts We're fruitless.
Several suspects were arrested, but in
each case an alibi was proven. A COM
mittee Of twelve citizens was named to
continue the search for the murderer.
and these men have been very active in
their work.
HIS WIFE TOLD.
On Monday last it became known that
/ Tom Clark, a negro living near here,
had had trouble with his wife and that
the latter threatened to disclose the
secret of a crime. Officers questioned
the woman and she told enough to war
rant the belief that Clark had murdered
Mrs. Whitfield.
Clark was arrested. and yesterday was
brought before the committee of twelve
in Corinth The negro finally confessed
to the murder, and also told of other
crimes that he had committed. He said
that several years ago he killed two
mon on an excursion train in Mississippi.
He told Of other crimes and said that
he had never been suspected of any
of these.
A DAYS RESPITE.
After hearing the confession: the COM
mittee decided that the negro should
be hanged from telegraph pole in the
street. Clark said he deserved death.
but asked that the execution be delayed
until yesterday SO 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 tclesraphed for, but it was learned
that they were in Mississippi.
Meanwhile the news of the negro's ar
rest and confession spread rapidly over
the country, and yesterdays incoming
trains brought hundreds to witness the
y
that at midday the main street was or
dered cleared. and the announcement was
made that it had been decided to burn
Clark at $3.50 o'clock III the afternoon
This statement caused much excite
ment and surging crowds Of people be-
gan to gather about the place selected
for the enactment of the awful tragedy.
FUNERAL PYRE READY.
At . O'clock pine fagots and larger
vic Of ,,-oa5 wara caraf,,lIy laid ahOUT
an iron rod which was driven deep into
the ground. Half an hour later it was
announced that all was ready
At o'clock, the prisoner, heavily man
acled. was taken from the Jail by posse
of armed men, and. followed by the
crowd was led to the east gate of the
negro cemetery, in the western part or
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 a statement He again said that
he deserved the fate prepared Tor hlm
and asked that letter be delivered 10
his mother and brother. He appealed to
his brother TO raise his children properly
admonishing them to beware OF eEli com
panioEs.
HUSBAND LIGHTED FIRE.
Finally the word was given to light the
fire The husband and brother of Clark S
victim stepped forward and applied torch
es and in a moment the flames leaped
upward, enveloping the trembling nesr"
in smoke and fire. The clothing OF the
doomed man was soon ignited. AS the
flames grew hotter the negro moaned
piteously. and the asonized look on his
face told Of the torture he was under
going.
Finally his head fell forward on his
breast, and in a few minutes he was dead
The flames were fed by the crowd until
the body was Moderated.
Then the gathering dispersed IN an
orderly manner, and the town soon as
sumed its normal quiet condition.