Middletown transcript., 1903-06-27
MURDERER
GEORGE WHITE
BURNED AT
THE STAKE
After Confessing 10 the Awful
Crime Was Taken TO the
Scene Where the Out
rage Was Com
mitted

mitted
STORY OF THE CREMATION
Writhing in awful agony as the flames
curled around his black form,- George
White, the brutal murderer of Helen s.
Bishop, paid the penalty set by mob law
early Tuesday morning, when he was
burned to death in field within sight ol
the scene of the tragedy. Before he died
he made confession the full details Of
which are too horrible to print. While
he was being burned the crowd cheered
and seemed to take delight in his suffer
ing.
1t was shortly after 10 o'clock when
the crowd first moved on the workhouse
and by 100 O'Clock. White was roasting
to death. Although the guards and
police sent to reinforce them made some
resistance, they did not make. the deter
mined fight that could have been made.
Had they done so, the result would have
been wholesale slaughter and no doubt
would have resulted in the destruction
Of the institution. Many men were seen
carrying enough dynamite to raise the
big brick building. AS it was several
persons were injured. The number will
probably never be known as most of those
hurt did not report their injuries, but
we're quietly taken to their homes by
friends. Peter Smith, aged II years, was
fatally shot.
The Mob Was Fearless One
The mob numbered fully 5000, and
was the most determined and fearless
ever seen in Delaware.
The attack on the workhouse doors
with battering rams was made after War
den Meserve and Chief Black had pleaded
with the mob to leave. Almost every
trade was represented and the doors fell
after an hour or so of work. An effort
was made to trick the crowd. They
could not be fooled, however.
Bishop Could Hear Men
The place where White was burned is
not far from the Bishop home and the
father of the dead girl could hear the
cries of the mob as the members danced
in fiendish glee. The horrible crime
which resulted in the death of their
daughter was vividly recalled. Time and
time again Mrs. Bishop swooned as the
awful details were brought to her mind.
The mob had no thought of the misery
they were causing her so bent were they
on their fiendish work. The family left
town Tuesday morning.
Made Confession Thursday
One fact, which was not generally
known is that White made confession
last week. 1t was not given out for fear
ola lynching. Since that time Attorney
General Ward has had it in his posses
sion.
Damage to Workhouse
The damage to the workhouse will be |
about 5000. 1t will be repaired as soon
as possible.
Gruesome Souvenirs
The relic finders were out in force. |
The trees and fences near the scene of the
murder are being cut down and pieces of |
charred bones are even being carried |
away.
Chief Justice Lore and Judges Grubb |
and Penniwell refused to discuss the |
affair.
Story of Burning
. The army of men who comprised the |
mob that assisted in the lynching began |
to arrive at the workhouse early in the |
evening, and before 10 o'clock the green
facing the entrance to the institution and |
road near it was black with people. 1t
was about midnight when the leaders of
the lynchers emerged from the Jail with
White, and orders were given by them to
the crowd that no shooting or cutting
was to be done.
Although it is estimated that 5000 of
The 5000 men in the mob were armed and |
many others carried cudgels, no effort
was made to harm the prisoner. He
was marched from the workhouse to the
scene of his crime, there it was planned
TO execute him, but the spot where the
foul deed was committed was not large
enough for the purpose. The principals
then selected large field in which to
hold the execution, and dragging the
frightened negro from the spot, bound
him hand and foot
Prisoner Prayed
He prayed fervently. and moved the
hearts of many by his entreaties of
mercy. A huge pile of straw, fence rails
md other infammable material had been
heaped upon pile and oil sprinkled over
t. One OF the executioners threw rope
iOout the negro's neck ana gave IL u jerk.
White said: "You hurt me-" He was
aid face down upon the oil saturated
heap of straw and timber, and in an in
,tant the fire became seething furnace.
With a scream the unfortunate victim
made frantic effort to escape, but was
quickly thrown back into the cruel flames.
"God help me-" were his last words.
The mob stood in circle about the fire,
only those in front being able to see the
execution. In a short time the latter
made every effort to get upon the outside
IF the crowd because of the sitting stencil
which arose from the burning body of
,he negro.
When the flames of the huge bonfire
q Ho osr n dao fapin0 ohoor |