The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-18
Father of Negro Burned at
Stake Sees Governor.
Demands Leaders of Leaven.
worth Mob Be Prosecuted.
CRIME AN OLD ONE.
Occurred Six Years Ago Nc
Arrests We're Made.
Fred Alexander, Victim, Charg-
ed With Nameless Crimes.

". l. brummOuQ OF DOn1pnan, aC-
companied by George Alexander. an
aged negro. came before Governor
Hoch and Attorney General Jackson
today. demanding vengeance against
the mob Of 5000 residents of Leaven-
worth, who on Jan. Is. 1901, burned
at the stake Fred Alexander. the son
Of the old negro who came to Topeka
today.
Mr.. Drummond claimed that he had
in his possession a written confession
of man who was in the mob, giving
the names of scores of the people
who were in the mob, and formed its
claimed, would be backed up with the
testimony of witnesses.
When the matter was brought be-
fore Attorney General Fred Jackson,
made to the county attorney of Leav-
enWorth county.
Mr.. Drummond then went before
Governor Hoch and told his story and
wanted to find out whether the $500
reward offered by the state for the ar
rest and conviction of any or all the
members of the mob was still good.
An investigation of the records show
ed that the reward was offered by
Governor Stanley on Feb. 28, 1901,
and that it was good for 90 days only.
1t has therefore long since expired.
After finding that the reward had
expired, Drummond and Alexander
left the state house. Mr.. Drummond
stated to the state officials that he was
la bo ring in behalf of the old father of
the boy who was made the victim of
the mob's wrath. He said that the
mob should be punished. in spite of
the fact that six years had elasped
since the crime.
AS a matter of fact, the burning OF
Fred Alexander was most horrible
and atrocious affair, and showed that
the sheriff was apparently in collusion
with the designs of the mob.
Alexander was accused Of assault
upon May Roth, a white woman. He
was also accused of assault and mur-
der of Pearl Forbes, and assault and
ATTEMPTED assault on number OF 9TH
er white women. Three white women
identified him, after his arrest. as the
man who had tried to assault them.
The people of Leavenworth were stirred
to the depths of passion by this series
of frightful crimes, and when Alexan-
der was arrested, mob was at once
formed for the purpose of lynching
him. Alexander was taken to the pen1-
Tertiary, where he was absolutely safe
from the mob. Sheriff Everhardy was
apparently intimidated by the mob, ana
went to the penitentiary, together with
a crowd of about 30 newspaper men,
curious people, and loafers for the pur-
pose of getting Alexander and bringing
him back to the county Jail. Warden
Tomlinson refused to deliver the pris-
oner to him unless he would guarantee
protection. Everyhardy then swore in
the entire crowd which had accom-
panied him to the prison as deputies,
and Tomlinson turned Alexander over
to him. Meantime the mob in town had
apparently been preparing deliberately
for Everhardy's return. When he ar
rived, driving in hack with the pr1s-
oner, he was met at the outskirts or
town by mob Of 2,000 Everhardy no
@I,n a o.
groes, armed with guns and revolvers
He ordered his deputies to disarm these
negroes, ard while they We're doing
this, the hack containing the prisoner
to about 5000 people, stormed the jail,
and encountered very little resistance.
The keys to Alexander's cell were pick
ed up from a table by which the sheriff
the prisoners life. He was virtually
delivered to the mob. The mob took
Alexander to the place where the
Forbes murder was committed, and
there a steel rail had been set, with
lot of fuel piled at the base. The same
wagon that was used to haul Alexander
to this place also contained tank of
kerosene. Alexander was chained to
the rail, and the kerosene poured on his
head and allowed to run down over the
pile. He was then set af1re, and a mob
Of close to 10000 people watched the
whole performance. No one was mask
ed. and everybody knew everybody else, |
FOR the affair was in broad daylight. AL |
exander died protesting his innocence. |
He said that If he had been willing to
confess, he could have been locked up
IN the penitentiary for life, but that he
wouldn't confess, because he was not
rutlty of any of the crimes. Many wo-
men were present In the mob. Alexan- |
ler,s mother and sisters arrived after
he fire had been burning for some
lime. The fire was kept burning Tor
-hree hours, at the end of which time |
he body was only about half con-
sumed.
The affair was at the time denounced |
N most emphatic terms by Governor |
stanley and all the state officers.
1t is not likely that anything will
,ver come of the present effort to bring