Gilpin observer., 1903-06-25
MOB BURNS NEGRO.
WREAKs VENGEANCE ON oLAYER
OF PREACHERS DAUGHTER.

OF PREAcHER's DAUGHTER.
Fusliade of Shots and streanis Of
Water Fail to Drive Of Angry
Thousands Who Deal Out Summary
Justice to Slayer.
Wilmington. Del, June PA north
ern mob, led by Virginian. burned &
negro at the stake within few miller
of Mason and Dixon S line. The victim
was George F. White, a negro, just out
OF the workhouse, who was accused of
having feloniously assaulted and
stabbed to death Miss Helen S. Bishop,
the seventeen-year-old daughter OF the
Rev. F. A. Bishop. The crime OF the
negro was committed June 10 and ever
since then there have been mutter-
ings to lynch White.
After much agitation on the part Of
those who cried for vengeance. mob,
estimated at 1000 men and boys.
gathered in the neighborhood of
Prices Corner. They came from
everywhere, including Wilmington
and the small towns to the south of
Prices Corner. Lack of leader
was supplied by Virginian. whose
identity could not be learned. The
police of Wilmington and the con
stables tried to disperse the growing
crowd. but without avail. 1t was evi-
dent that hundreds came from mere
curiosity, but once in the mob they
became indamed with the spirit per-
vading the throng and thea actively
Joined it. The real leaders were few
in number. but they did their work
well.
1t was after 10 O'Clock when the
march 10 the worlshouse. 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 landed in the prison. had
been warned of the coming of the mob
and prepared to defend the man at all
cost. Armed with pistols, shotguns
, and other weapons. the mob sur
'rounded the workhouse. 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 forward leaders
in the attacking party amid the yells
and cheers Of those who were press
| ing forward from the rear. Then the
would-be lynchers were momentariiy
halted by hail Of bullets from the
inside. A great howl went up from
the leaders, but they were pressed
forward by those in the rear. More
shooting was heard, and there was a
scramble to get out, but the braver
ones stood their ground. In the fusii-
lade that followed four persons fell,
all members of the mob. They were
quickly carried to the rear ard at
tended by those who were not brave
enough to be at the front. None of
them in the confusion could be identi-
fed except the boy, who is said to be
Peter Smith.
The warden did not wish to
slaughter the mob in the prison corrf-
dor. 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 and the
guards were brushed aside and a man
hunt of the jail was made. There
were many negroes confined, but with
the aid of man who knew White, he
was quickly found. His cell door was
battered open and the covering and
accused man. begging for mercy, was
dragged from the cell and the prison.
When the crowd outside heard that
success had crowned the lynchers,
cheer was set up. Attempts were
made to shoot White on the spot. but
l 90 Af hn ND
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. just as though it
were a march to the gallows in a pris-
on. was begun. With torches to lead
the way and with 1000 persons follow
ing the negro, he was led to the road
White was given a last chance to
speak. and confessed to the murder OF
the girl. A stake had been arranged
by an advance guard. White w1s
quickly chained to the post and tie
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 their nights
work. the greater number of the lynch.
ers Immediately left the neighborhood.
many of them fearing arrest.
The failure Of the county court to
give White speedy trial is in a great
measure responsible for the tragedy.
Trolley Company Refuses Peace.