The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-08-24

the men were laShed to the stump.
Then wagonload OF pinewood was
hauled to the spot. It was piled around
the men and ten gallons Of kerosene
was thrown over them.
A GEORGIA Co1N-CHEssER.
4 Photographer was present and
the crowd was cleared back that he
might get several views Of the men
bound to the stake and ready for the
burning.
The scene which followed beggars
description. Frenzied cheers rent the
air as men, almost crazed with 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 Reed
didn't he want to tell the truth before
he died.
"Yes, sir; I killed Mr.. and Mrs.
Hodges" he replied.
"Who killed the children?" he was
asked.
Handy Bell" came the response, as
the flames lept upwards and further
questioning was impossible in the
wild tumult. The spectacle was
frightful. AS the flames touched
Reeds naked Oil. soaked skin he twist.
ed his head around in an enoeavor to
choke himself and avoid the fearful
torture. Only once did he com plain.
He said: Lord have mercy"
Cato screamed in agony and begged
that be be shot. His heavy suit OF
hair which was oil-scaked was almost
the first thing the flames fastened on,
and he screamed with agony, while
the hemp rope became a collar OF IRE
his neck. A thrill Of horror
ran through the frames Of the more
timid. Before the flames had Quench-
ed Cato's life, the rope was burned in
two and his head swung from side to
side as be enoeavored to avoid the
fiery tongue. BY efforts almost super
human he writhed under the close
locked chains. For only about three
minutes was he visible to the crowd
before the great pile of fagots made a
wall Of fame which the wind wiped
around on Cat1's side and SO hid him
from view.
sAvAGERY IN Detail
Reed was the first to exhibit unccn-
sciousne S and was perhaps the first
dead. After the flames had progress.
ed very far up his body his head sank
forward and many believed. that the
fire got into his lung and killed him.
AS Cato's head swung to and fro some
OF the more excited members Of the
party commenced throwing IghtWood
knots at 1t.
AS soon as it was seen that the men
were dead the crowd commenced dis
persing. A large number remained
behind, however, p:ling more fuel on
until the bodies were burned except
the trunks. They employed them
selves in thrasing out the fire which
commenced spreading along the
streaks Of pine nee dies.
Late Tuesday afternoon, after the
last member Of the mob had left the
scene, hundreds Of citizens who had in
no wise participated in the execution
repaired to the scene and many re-
NAMED until long after nightfall pick.
ing Up whatever souvenirs they could
find. Conspicuous among the crowd
we're number Of small boys in knee
pants.
REEDS CONFESSION.
Both negroes made staJements be-
fore they died. Will Cato reiterated
the statement made a few days age
that be was only a guard in the cane
patch while tie murder was being
committed. Pau! Reed said that he
did al the killing aud that Will Cato
told the truth wien be said he watch.
ed in the cane patch. He said he did
not kill the children; that they were
burned to death when ne fred the
house. He told low lie found the lit.
tile girl, Kittje, behind a trunk anc
pulled her out. She asked him what
he waited aud hs told her money.
She offered him 5 cents, all sle had
and he told her he would not hurt her
She fell back behind the trunk. He
said he then pilsd the booits OF Mr.
and Mrs. Hodges together aod poured
kerosene on then and then fired the
house. He said: Gentlemen this
is the last talk l will have and am
telling the Truth" He said Preacher
Tolbert and Bill Golden planned thu
crime and that Handy Bell, vii
Ralney and his boy, Tom Neal, Big
John Ball, N ,ses Parish and ALEX
Hall Were all into it That Gaines
told him Tolbert AMI Golden were
ring leaders and plannd the crime anc
the lot fell ca bin TO do The j)b, but
if there was any money scared he
never saw any OF it..
TWO MORE NEGROES KILLED.
Two negroes were killed about ter
miles west Of Statesbolo, Wednesday
night, few miles apart, and two
wounded. One Of the dead men j!
Handy Bell. and the other name;
could not be learned. Two bullet
were in one a.ld eleven buckshot il
the other. The dead and wounded
were found Thursday morning.
A pool Of blood and a bloody tral
were near one corpse, but not con
nected with it. The cause could no
be located. The TWO wounded ne