The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-08
Posse of fingered Citizens OVGTIakss Fleeing Negroes
 and Vents Wrath
TRAGEDY HAS CAUSED
 LOSS OF EIGHT LIVES
Man and Women Are Taken to Dodds- vile, Miss, and the Torch is Applied in the Shadow of
 the Church.

Memphis, February "A special to the Commercial-Appeal from Doddville, Miss, says:
 Luther Holbert and his wife, negroes, were burned at the stake here today by a mob of over 1000 persons for the killing of James Eastland, a prominent white planter, and John Carr, negro. on Wednesday morning at the Eastland plan tation. two miles from this city.
 The burning of Holbert and his wife closes a tragedy which has cost eight lives, has engaged two hundred men and two packs of bloodhounds in four-days' chase across four counties, and has stirred this section of Mississippi to such state of excitement as it has never before ex- perieneed in its history
 The following are the dead:
 List of Dead.
 Luther Holbert and wife, negroes, burned at the stake by mob.
 James Eastland, white planter. killed by Holbert
 John Carr, negro. killed by Holbert.
 John Winters, negro. killed by East land.
 Three unknown negroes killed by posses.
 The killing of Eastland, Carr and Win ters occurred Wednesday morning at Eastlands s plantation. Holbert and Win ters were in Carr's cabin when Eastland entered and ordered Holbert to leave the plantation.
 A difficulty ensued, in which it is al- legged that Holbert opened fire on East land, fatally wounding him and killing Carr. Eastland returned the fire and killed Winters.
 Unknown Negro Killed.
 When news of the tragedy reached Doddsville, a posse was formed and left immediately for Eastland's plantation. Arriving there, further shooting occur red, and an unknown negro was killed. Hobert and his wife, who had donned mems clothing, both heavily armed, had fled.
 Posses were formed at Greenville, Itta- bena Cleveland and other points, and the pursuit of Holbert and his wife was begun with horse and bloodhound. The chase, which was begun Wednesday morning, was continued until 3 o'clock this morning, when Holbert and his wife. worn out from travelling over 100 miles on foot, through canebrakes and swamps, were found asleep in a heavy belt of tim Der, three miles east of Shepherdstown, and captured by a posses without shot being fired.
 Burned at the Stake.
 The two negroes were brought to Doddsville and this afternoon were burned at the stake by large mob. al- most in the shadow of the negro church here.
 Yesterday two negroes were killed by posse near Belzoni Yazoo county. One of the negroes bore a striking resem- blence to 'Holbert and was mistaken for him by members of the posse. He was called upon to surrender. but instead of doing so showed fight, and both negroes were shot down by possemen, as Holbert had sworn he would not be taken alive, and was known to be heavily armed.
 Member of Wealthy Family.
 Eastland was a member of wealthy Mississippi family, and a reward of $120O was offered by relatives for the capture of his slayer Two brothers of Eastland participated in the chase and capture of the Holberts, and both were present when Holbert and his wife were burned
 The 16-year-old son of Holbert who was captured Friday night and held on sus- picion of complicity in the killing of Eastland, was given his freedom tonight, his innocence being established.