The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-04-06

OCoh Del StdlL Murphy l6SJlDeu at
the investigation that he was in the
office of the chief of police. in the
front part of the building, when the
mob arrived. When he reached the
desk seTgeant's Office three or four
men grabbed him and threw him TO
the floor face down. During his eff
forts to free himself he was slightly
injured and his clothing torn. He did
not recognize any of the mob. He was
unable to say whether the men were
masked or not, but thought they wore
masks or had their faces covered with
Smoot
He testified that the doors leading
to the desk seFgednt's Office were open
and that the mob entered the building
from Jefferson street and remained at
the jail for about five minutes.
He said the negro was locked in the
fourth cell on the second floor in the
white department. He did net hear
of any talk about mob coming after
the negro.
When Murphy was asked where
Chief Sanders was at the time the
mob arrived at the Jail he said be was
at home in bed and that Captain Hail
was out On his rounds Of the different
beats He said that Captain Hall re-
manned at the Jail mere time on Sun
day night than on any other occasion.
Murphy said that he was not armed
when the mob called, but that his re-
yolver was in a desk drawer
TWO CROWDS ENTERED,
Turnkey Simpson. who was on duty
Sunday night, testified that two sep
aTate gangs of men entered the desk
seTgeantS OffiCe-One of them grabbed
Murphy and the other grabbed me-"
he said. They tied me and brought
me up stairs. face down. and made me
open the cell door. ! could see moth
ing but guns. I did not recognize
wore masks. When we
got upstairs they united me-"
He said the mob learned where the
negro was locked Up from the diagram
Of the interior of the Jail on the desk
in the desk sergeant's Office He did
not tell the lynchers where the negro
was.
When asked who gave the key to
the mob he said they brought it up
with them. but / pulled the lever that
opened the cell door"
The Jail seemed full of men," he
said. land while we tclephoned to the
chief we could hear the shooting in
the square. There were not ten words
spoken while the mob was in the
PATROLMAN TESTIFIES.
Police Officer A. S. Kelly, who was
on duty Sunday night, said he did not
know anything about the lynching.
The first he knew of it was when he
heard the firing. He was standing in
front of Geo Jacobsons restaurant,
about half block distant from the
Plaza, and Immediately left there
when he heard the firing, but when
ne reached the corner of PalafOx and
Government streets he saw no one.
Neither did he see any one on the
street previous TO the lynchinC- He
did not even see any one running from
the square. Not a soul on the street,
5 how he testified. He went 10 the
pole on which the negro was hanged
and remained there until Captain Hall
and two other officers arrived.
Manuel LargUe, proprietor OF horse
,hOeing shop, was asked if he had heard
any one say the negro would be
ynChed. He said he had not, but
that he did hear the question, Won
Ter if they are going to do him like
hey did the other negro?" He was
unable to say who asked the qUes
ion.
STATEMENT BY SANDERS.
negro was put in the white depart
nent at the city Jail to prevent him
rom communicating with persons on
he outside. He also instructed Cap
-ain Hall to let him know if anything
happened.
He said he made il his business
Turing Sunday 10 listen to what peO-
pie said when he saw three or more
persons together. If he had thought
anything was going to happen he
would have been at the Jail. but could
lot say what the consequences would
nave bene had he been there when
he mob arrived.
He said one of the negro TRUSTEES at
he Jail, who was allowed to remain
IN the corridor, asked to be locked up
previous to the arrival OF the mob, as
lie was not feeling right" He told
ne chief that his hair was rising on
his head"
Chief Sanders also said if he had
bought anything was going TO be
lone he would have taken the negro
put of the city Jail He did not place
guards at the Jail because he thought
[ would cause talk about Iynehing
he negro He was unable TO say who
he lynchers were
THE BODY REMOVED.
As soon as possible Chief Sanders I
md Sheriff Van Pelt. the latter &C /
'ompanied by. Deputy Smith, reached /
he scene and made an investigation /
IS far as possible. but without salts |
actoTy results.
Coroner NiekeIsen was notified and /
.tter viewing the body of the negro, /