The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-08-17

BY Associated Press.
Statesboro, Ca. Aug. l7--With their
clothing saturated with kerosene. writh-
ing and twisting in their agony, anG
screaming to heaven for mercy a moi
would not show, Paul Reed and Will
Cato, stsS4o of the principals in tine muir
der and burning of Henry Hodges and
wife ard three of their children, six
miles from Statesboro three weeks ago,
were burned at tine stake yesterday of-
4ernoon.
Both victims had been found guilty
the night before of the murder and
Judge DAILY sentenced them Tuesday be
fore noon to be hanged September D
Following tine sentence was mad. rush
on the Jail in the afternoon and the two
negroes and Handy Bell were taken out
by the mob, who bad disarmed the mill
tia.
To a large stump twelve feet high
THE men were chained with their. backs
to tine stump. With trace Of chains
the men were lushed to the stump
Then a wagon load of pine wood w'ls
hauled to the spot, and piled around
the men, and ten gsllolns of kerosene
was thrown over then.
Then followed an awful scene. Fren,
zied cheers rent The air. Men, almost
crazed with the natred of the men bsr
ing punished, saw crpel flames drink
mo M the lffebloOd. just a the match
was applied 10 the Pyre one Of those IN
front asked Reed If he wanted to tell
the truth before he died.
Yes, sir; 1 killed Mr.. and Mrs. Hod'
ges,'' he replied.
awho killed the children" was next
asked.
sHandy Boli,9 came the response AZ
the flames Ieaped Upward and further
questioning was impossible in the wild
t,rmult. and spectacle frightfnl. y
the flames touched Reeds naked oil.
soaked skin. de twisted his head around
IN an endeayor 10 choke himself and
avoid she fearful torture. Only once did
ne compIain. He said: Lord, have
mercy" Cato screamed in agony and
beured to be shot His heavy suit and
hair which were oil soaked were almost
the first thing the flames fastened on
and, screaming with agony, while the
hemp rope became a collar Of fire around
his neck, the thrill Of horror ran through
Z the ITtinGr ~ 'NtIt AlAbAN a4+''4N-
spectators. Before the flames qucnched
Cato's life THE rope burned in two and
his head swung from his side to side
as it endeavored to avoid the fiery ton
gues.
BY an effort almost superhuman ne
writhci under the close locked chains.
For only about three minutes he was
visible to the crowd before a great
pile of fagots made a wall OF flame
which the, wind whipped around Cato's
body and hid hnn from view. lie was
the first to eNnibft unconsciousness ano
perhnTss the first dead. Before thc
+ flames prog vA,sed very far mp his body
his head - orward and many be.
ii,wedEE3e S1S got into his lungs and
- killed MIN. As CatO's head swung ~
and fro some more excited members OF
the parity commenced lirrowing light
wood knots ut it. As soon as it was
seen the men we're dead the crowd
commenced dispensing. a large num-
ber remained, however, piliug mPc
fuel on until both bodies We're burned
except the trunks. Others employed
themselves thrascIing out the fire whiet
commenced spreading among the dry
pine needles,
Later in the afternoon after the las
member Of the mob left the scone hun
dreds or citizens, who in no wise par