The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-08-19
HODGES MURDERERS
BURNED AT STAKE
Awful Penalty Il Imposed at
Statesboro, Ga
FRIoHrFuL SCENE IS ENACTED

Hodoes Family Taken by Mob
Chained to Stake, Soaked Win Oil
and Match Applied.
statesboro. Ga, August 1S.-Wi;I
clothing saturated with kerosene
writing and twisting in their agony
! screaming to heaven for the mercy
that the mob would not allow, PAU
Reid and Will Cato, negroes, two OF
the principals in the dastardly murder
and burning of the Hodges, wife and
three of their children, 6 miles from
statesboro. three weeks ago, were
burned at the stake yesterday.
A determined mob charged upon the
courthouse. overpOwered the military
mob. secured Cato and Reid, who mao
been found guilty after legal trial.
| and sentenced to be hanged, TOOK
them 2 miles from StatesbOro, and
there exacto| tha fearful penalty.
Verdict Of Guilty.
The fcre..,.l g&asad quietly, the
trial of Panl Reid. the ring-leader IN
the murder. being concluded and
verdict of guilty rendered. Sentence
was imposed upon both him and VIII
Cato. sentenced the day before, and
! Ssptember 8 was fixed as the date for
the execution.
tn to the hour of noon there was
no intimation that so soon was TO be
enacted the terrible climax.
In the trial Of Reid, little delay was
caused. and upon its conclusion the
prisoners, as before, were hustled into
the witness room, where strong
guard OF military was mounted over
them.
the corridors the agitation began
The spectators left the court room
and from the lawn outside many en-
tered the Railways. Shortly before
10 o'clock the crowd was addressed by
q tall man, who seemed to inhame II
greatly. He called ON those about
him TO follow him.
After the mob had overpowered the
soldiers. the Jail w&s entered and the
negroes secured.
Reid was taken down the stairway
with q rope about his neck, and Cato
down the other. both pleading for
their lives.
The crowd numbered 500. They
dragged the men along, shouting and
cheering along the roadway leading
10 the Hodges homestead, where the
Eve members Of the family had been
murdered and burned.
The two negroes were made to seat
themselves on a log. They were told
they had but short time to live and
that they should confess.
Reid Confessed.
Reid was the first to speak He con.
fessed, duplicating other negroes, as
he had in the courtroom. He denied,
however, that he had taken an actiVs
part in the murder.
Cato answered incoherently.
The crowd moved across a field to
strip Of woodland. Several men
climbed two branches and called for
ropes.
Burn them! Burn them" shouted
the crowd.
Cato begged to be shot or hanged,
saying he was innocent; that he had
had no part in the crime Some of
the more humane wanted TO grant his
request but they were in the minori
ty. The rest wanted to visit the same
death upon the negroes that they had
visited upon the Hodges family.
A number Of the mob made a speech
recounting the horrors OF the crime
This infamed the crowd to the burn
ing pitch.
To a large stump, II feet high the
men we're chained with their backs
to the stump. With trace chains the
men were dashed TO the stump. Then
a wagon load Of pine wood was hauled
TO the spot. II was piled around tbs
men and ten gallons Of kerosene was
thrown over them.
Scene 5esgared Description.
The scene which followed beggared
description. Frenzied cheers rent the
air, as men almost craEed with the
hatred Of the men being punished saw
the cruel flames drinking UP the life
blood. Just as the match was applied
TO the pyre one Of those in front asked
Reid didn't he want to tell the truth
before he died:
Yes, sir; l killed Mr.. and Mrs.
Hodges" he replied.
Who killed the children" he was
asked
Handy Bell" came the response az
the flames leaped upwards and further
questioning was impossible in the wild
tumult. The spectacle was frightfuI.