The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-29
GrewsOme Humor Prompts Some One
to Label a Stone as the Remains
OF the Burned Assailant.
ALL Is QUIET AT WILMINGTON
POLICE ARE vIGILANT, BUT NO OUT
BREAK Is LOOKED FOR.
Chicago Preachers Defense Of Lynch
Law-The Fire Not So Bad as the
Suffering Of Lust's Victim.

WILMINGTON, Del, June 2s.-Thousands
of persons to-day visited the place where
George F. White was burned to death last
Monday night by a mob for the murder
of Miss Helen Bishop. They came from all
the small towns in this vicinity and hun
dreds journeyed to the execution place from
Chester. Pa, and Philadelphia. A trolley
line runs to about three-quarters of a mile
from the scene and bus drivers and others
owning vehicles did a thriving business
carrying passengers to the place and ex-
planning to them the events of the last two
weeks. The burning took place in a freshly
plowed field. about fifty feet from the road
way, which is hidden by high bushes. The
field has been tramped almost as smooth
and hard as asphalt by the thousands of
persons that have visited the farm. The
only evidence that remains of the work
Of the mob is three cobblestones on one
of which this inscription has been placed in
indelible ink:
Here is all that remains Of White
The bushes behind which the murder was
tance of several yards and carried away
by relic hunters. Many of those who Wis
tied the scene to-day, among them large
number of women, carried away sprigs
or branches of the bushes.
Discussion of the events of the last week
is rapidly ending, although the affair was
the text of some clergymen to-day. The
preachers, without exception, condemned
the lynching. notwithstanding the fact that
public sentiment is Overwhelmingly on the
side of the lynchers The Rev. Robert A.
come in for much criticism for his sermon
of last Sunday night, in which he suggested
lynching in case the negro escaped speedy
punishment at the hands of the law, did not
tn ff1n fl1xa n tCf11S n
day. These criticisms were answered by
his congregation to-day, when the follow
ing resolutions were read during the serv-
ices:
"We, the officers and members of the
Olivet Presby Church, Wilmington.
Del. realizing the unjust criticism being
Robert A. E,wood, by large proportion
of the public press, do place ourselves on
record in the following resolutions:
First, We express our firm belief In our
pastors honesty, integrity and Christian
character, our appreciation of his minis
terial labors in our congregation and our
admiration Of his manly Christian courage
as expressed by his pulpit messages and his
life in our midst.
Second, we record our belief that his
message of last Sunday evening was both
timely and true, sensible and scriptural,
zens on Monday night be chargeable to
that sermon.
Third. we order a copy of these resolu-
t1OnS placeQ upon tne SeSSlOndl RECORDS,
read in the church services of the coming
Lords day and given to the press for pub
lication."
Wilmington remains quiet The police
department, however, has not relaxed its
vigilance and is prepared to meet almost
any emergency. 1t is not believed that any
further trouble will be started by either
the whites or the blacks.
The Rev. Montrose w. Thornton, pastor
of the First A. M. Z. Church of Whining
ton. preached to a large congregation to-
night. He said. in part:
THE white man, in the face of his boast
ed civilization stands before my eyes to-
night the demon of the worlds races, a
negro race Is concerned, seems to give no
quarter. The white is heather, fiend, a
monstrosity before God. and is equal to any
act in the category of crime. l would
sooner trust myself in a den of hyenas than
in his arms. With the courts, the law and
officers of the law in his hands, the de-
spised negro can expect no mercy, justice
or protection. The negro is unsafe any
where in this country. He is the open prey
at all times of barbarians who know no re-
straint and will not be restrained.
There is only one part left for the perse-
cuted negro when charged with crime and
when innocent. Be law unto yourself.
You are taught by this lesson of outrage
to save yourself from torture at the hands
of the blood-seeking public. Save your race
from insult and shame. Be your own sher-
If. court and jury, as was the outlaw
Tracy. Die in your tracks, perhaps drink
| ing the blood of your pursuers. Booker T.
Washington's charity. humanity, advice of
| forgiveness, love, industry, and so on, will
never be reciprocated by white men,