The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-06-23
NEGRO BURNED AT STAKE
DELAWARE MOB STORMS JAIL
 AND CAPTURES VICTIM.

Is Hurried to the Scene of His Crime and After Confessing His Guilt is Turned to Death and His Body Rid- died With BulIets-Mob Numbered 4,OOO-A Figh. at the Jail in Which Several Were Wounded.
 Wilmington, Del. June 22.-A north ern mob, led by Virginian, burned negro at the stake tonight within a few miles of the Mason and Dixon's line. The victim was George White, negro just out of the workhouse, who was ac- cused of having feloniously assaulted and stabbed to death Miss Helen s. Bishop, the 17-year old daughter of the Rev. Dr. E. A. Bishop. The crime was committed last Monday afternoon and ever since then there have been nut terings os lynching the man.
 An effort was made last night to get White, but it failed. Tonight, how ever, as a result of the laws slowness and much agitation on the part of those who cried for vengeance. a mob that was estimated at 4.000 men and boys gathered in the neighborhood of Prices Corner. Sour miles from here. They came from everywhere, including Will mington and the small towns to the south of Prices Corner. Last nights lack of leader was supplied by Vir- ginian whose identity in the confusion and excitement could not be learned. The police of Wilmington and the con- stables tried to disperse the growing crowd, but without avail. It was evil dent hundreds came for mere curiosity, but once in the mob they became in- famed with the spirit prevailing the throng and then actively joined it. The real leaders were few in numbers, but they did their work well. It was after 10 o'clock when the march to the workhouse, a mile away, was taken up. The chief warden of the workhouse and his guards. who have been on almost constant duty since the negro was land- ed in the prison, had been warned of the coming of the mob, and prepared to de- fend the men at all costs.
 Armed with pistols. shotguns and other weapons. the mob soon reached the jail. A battery of railroad ties soon carried away the great outer door of the workhouse. The second, third and fourth doors were battered down by the attacking party amid the yells and cheers of the mob. Then the would-be 1ynchers were momentarily halted by a hail of bullets from the inside. A Ina 1ao but they were pressed forward by those in the rear. More shooting was heard and there was scramble to get out. but the braver ones in the attacking party stood their ground. In the fusil~ ade that followed several persons fell, all members of the mob. They were quickly carried to the rear and attended by those who were not brave enough to be at the front. Three of the wound ed were men and the other was boy. None of them in the confusion could be identified except the boy. who is said to be Peter Smith. aged seventeen years.
 It is evident that the warden did not wish to slaughter the mob in the prison corridor so he directed that the fire hose be turned on the crowd. This also held the mob for time. but not for long. A general rush was made, the guards were brushed aside and a man hunt of the jail was made for the negro. There are many negroes confined in the pris- on, but with the aid of a man who knew White he was quickly found. His cell door was battered open and the man, begging for mercy. was dragged from
 
 outside heard that success had crown ed the efforts of the lynchers a great cheer was sent up. Attempts were made to shoot White on the spot but the lead CTS Of the crowd would have nothing but his life at the stake Resistance on the part of the negro was useless, but his hands were tied behind him. Then the march to the place of execution was taken up. With torches to lead the way and with 4,000 persons following the negro he was taken to the road and to almost the very spot where the assault took place. White was given last chance to speak, and he confessed to the murder oS the girl. A stake had been arranged by an advance guard. White was quickly chained to the post and the dry underbrush. soaked with oil. was ignited. and the horrible execution was on. White, suffering intense agony, tainted and his body hung limp. Shots were fired into his body and the victim Of the mob was soon dead.
 Satisfied with it's nights work the greater number of lynchers immediately left the neighborhood, many of them fearing arrest. However, large num- Der of persons loitered at the scene awaiting developments.
 The failure Of the county court to give White speedy trial is in a great measure responsible for to-night's trag- edy. The citizens of Wilmington and those in the vicinity of the scene of the crime, wanted an immediate trial.