The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-24
HORRIBLE
CONFESSION.
Negro Who Was Burned at
Stake Relates Details.
A REMARKABLE SERMON
|. REMARKABLE SERMON
Minister Advocated the
Lynching Of Negro from His Pulpit.
No Members of the Mob Have
Been Arrested-ReIics
(By Associated Press.>

(By Associated Press.)
WILMINGTON, DEL, June 23.--All is
quiet in this community to-day, follow
ing the horrible lynching of George
White, Helen Bishops confessed slayer,
at an early hour this morning. or the
mob OF nearly five thousand that over
powered the authorities. stormcd the
New Castle county workhouse and
dragged from cell the trembling wretch
and burned him at the stake, the iden-
tity OF only one is publicly known That
person Is little Peter Smith, twelve years
old. who fell when tho workhouse guards
fired voley into the ranks of the at
lacking mob. Tho lad was struck by
bullet which entered his back and Is
thought to have penetrated his Kidneys
At tho homeopathic Hospital where
the injured boy was Immediately taken,
tho physicians stated that he Is IN a
serious condition.
Whites confession. made just before
the torch was applied to the pile OF OIL
soaked bushes around him. was an nd
mission of everything, and moro than
had been charged against him.
NEGRO'S CONFESSION.
He IS stated to have said: IT was sent
by Mr.. woodward to- the corn field to
thin some corn. saw Mr.. Woodward's
daughter. but couple of men came
along in q wagon and did not disturb
her. Then I saw the Bishop girl and l
followed her. I seized her and asked II
she had any money she would give me
to let her go. She gave me sixty cents.
Then again seized her and she cried:
Please don't hurt me-
At chokcd her and accomplished my
purpose. Then I asked her If she was
going to tell on me. She said she was.
gave her a hack In the throat with
my knife, and asked again II she was
going to inform on me- She said she
was, and then / cut her throat twice
again and left her. After that went
back to Mr.. Woodward and told him
there was no good water to drink down
there, and he sent me somewhere else
I went back once. but soon left Then l
went back to the house and put OIL
white hat instead OF the cap that
wore. You would not do this II was
q white man and did that.
LEADER FROM VIRGINIA.
The leader was man who said his
name was Baker and that he was from
Virginia. His face was familiar to most
OF the people. aud 1t Is believed he is n
resident of Wilmington, although some
say he had been imported for the purpose
OF leading tho mob
Tho lynching is believed to have been
the result Of a plot which was concocted
several days ago and was to have been
put into execution Saturday night, but
on that occasion there was nltsunderstand-
ing. and the attempt failed
The police department was advised dur
ing the day OF the contemplate ted attack.
and thirty policemen. In charge Of Chief
Black and Captains Evans and Kane.
went to tho workhouse. There were sew
nd MOI at tho nrigOn n
that time. and the officers We're powerless
against such large numbers. SO they en-
tered the building to assist the guards
III an effort to protect the prisoner
The leaders Of the mob were cool and
determined Warden Meserve told them
story, in order to prevent unnecessary
destruction of property. Hetold the lead
ers how to disconnect the cell door.
Fought Desperately.
White fought desperately for his life
In the little iron cage cell and knocked
down tho first man who approached him.
The leaders again showed clear-feaded-
ness. and one Of them. q powerful man..
stepped forward before any one could
strike the prisoner and threw his arms
around the frightened wretch. thus pro-
tecting him from violence. The lawn
In front OF the prison was n sea OF faces
when viewed from the porch. Whites
custodian became convinced that unless
strategy was used there would be little
chance Of getting their man to the spot
on Prices road where 1t was planned
that lie Should be burned to death. This
danger was overcome by a quiet order
to extinguisf lanterns or keep them con-
cealed. Tn the darkness there was
confused rush. and after this no ono
seemed to know where the prisoner was.
Torch Applied.
At the stake Whites nerves seemed
TO be good and he held his head up while
he addressed the crowd. lie made an
other confession and appealed to God
for mercy. strong rope was then
brought and the negro was wrapped In
its coils from shoulders to feet. His
mouth was working while this was go
ing on and lie seemed to be trying to
finish his statement The crowd was In
n hurry to get through with Its grue-
some task and called out for tho eXecu-
TONERS to hasten. After the rope had
been adjusted the negro was fastened
to the stake and the torch was applied
to tho straw.
Tho flames lcaped up and licked the
mans bare hands, He was held erect
by one of the lynchers until his cloth
ing was burning fairly, when lie was
pushed into the he'd Of the fire. lie rolled
about and his contortions We're terrible.
ropes on his legs parted and he sprang
from the fire and started to run. A nun
struck him In tile head with piece of
fence rail and knocked him down, Will
ing hands threw him again into tho
flames. He rolled out several times. but
was promptly returned, While this WAS
going on shouts, cheers and jlbes went
up from the crowd,
Strange Sermon.
Rev. Robert a. 11lwood. pastor of the
Oliyet Presbyterian Church. preached a
sensational sermon on the probable lynch
ing of White last Sunday evening. He
took his text from Corinthians v: 49,
',Therefore put away from among our.
selves that wicked person"
After referring to the delay In bringing
White to trial, Mr.. Elwood said:
"Should tho murderer OF Miss Bishop be
lynched? Yes. but only under one condi-
ton. and that is this: If his trial shall
be delayed until September. and then,
though he BIO proven guilty. through some
| technicality of the law or any undue in