Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-07-30
TWO KILLED IN
FUT|LEF|GHT
WITH MOB
LYNCHED DESPITE
BRAVE STAND OF SHERIFF
Thousand Men Brave Death in
Attack on Pensacola Jail to
Avenge Brutal Assault on
White Woman

GBy Morning journal Special Leased Wlrel
Pensacola, Fla, July SO.-Two men
dead and score wounded, probably
fatally, is the record of an attempt
last night by a mob to storm the coun-
ty Jail and take out the negro, Leander
Shaw, who yesterday assaulted Mrs,
Lillian Davis near here.
The Dead.
II, c. KELLgM, street car conduc-
tor.
BIRD NICHOLS.
The Fatally wounded.
A. N. Knowles, member of the mob.
Charles Turney, member of the mob.
Jailer Eaton.
The mob numbered probably a
thousand persons and gathered early
but there was no apparent indication
until two hours later that the crowd,
which completely surrounded the Jail,
contemplated making rush.
The first indication was when a rail-
road iron was brought into play by
about dozen men on the iron gate
of the jail yard At the same moment
the entire mob seemed to catch the
spirit and with yells and curses dash
ed for the Jail entrance. Some climbed
over the tall iron fence which others
hammered upon the gate.
The sheriff with half a dozen depu-
ties stood in windows upstairs with
drawn revolvers and rifles. The sher-
iff pleaded with the mob. at the same
time telling them he would defend the
| prisoner at the cost Of every life pres
ent His words had no effect and the
moment the first blow was struck on
the gate volley of shots flashed from
the upper windows of the jail. This
was answered by the crowd. which
| poured volley after volley into the
jail windows, woundlng two deputies.
| The mob was momentarily driven
| back with many wounded and one
dead as a result of a deadly aim OF
the sheriff and his deputies. At mid
night the mob. which i'm the meantime
had been reinforced by many residents
of the surrounding country, made an
other attack on the Jail.
The sheriff and officers were over
powered by men who had crept over
the rear wall and covered them with
rifles and revolvers. Others broke
down the cell door and took Shaw out.
The negro was carried to the center
of the plaza and hanged to an cleo
trio light pole. after which fully five
hundred shots were fired into his
dangling body.
In the last attack on the JAIL II. C,
Kellum street car conductor, was
killed. while two deputies and four or
five of the mob were wounded
At | o'clock this (Thursday) morn
ing everything is quiet and the moi
has dispersed.
Shaw attempted to assault Mrs. Lii
lian Davis. a white woman, at her
home here yesterday.
In a desperate encounter with the
negro Mrs. Davis sustained gasl
across the throat, was badly beater
and her baby struck. In her struggle,
to resist the attempts OF Shaw to as.
lsaut her
When accosted by Shaw, Mrs. TcAvis
seized a revolver and ordered the ne
gro from the house. He grasped tn,
weapon and taking out his knife
drew the blade across her throat anC
In escaping from the house struck th'
baby.
Two hours later deputy sheriff
captured Shaw after a hard fight
Mrs. Davis. although In crltlca
condition. identified Shaw
Sheriff Van Ven in an interview
shortly after the lynchlng, said
while | regret the death Of tw,
men and the woundlng OF many 9th
ers, | have dohc nothing except wha
was called upon to do when tool
the oath of office. pleaded with th'
mob for more than an hour and tolC
them what would be the consequence
If they attacked the jail. I was duty
bound to protect the negro and pro
posed to do SO"