The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-11-23

intervals. intermingled with pistol
and officers, and through 1t all were
the silent masked figures.
But considering the situation Con-
ductor Eggart was successful IN
maintaing order on the train.
LAST EFFORT.
The doomed black, when he was
forced to the platform. made one last
effort for his life. AS he assumed
standing position, in the midst OF his
captors on the platform, he made
leap for freedom and from off the
moving train. But that leap meant
the beginning of his end, for as his
feet cleared the steps, d kick on the
head lost him his balance and he fell
to the side of the moving train, sus-
pended by his right arm, enclosed in
the handouts, which were held with
a superhuman strength by one of his
captcrs.
In this position the negro was drag
ged for about a half milfe by the
moving train, his body humping
over the ties and ballast, while the
mob in what appeared to be wild
frenzy gloated over the success of its
expedition.
At a point near the Escambia tres
tie, one mile south Of Bohemia, the
negro either jerked loose or was
knocked loose from his captors and
he was clear of the train. AS it con-
tinued, the black was seen to fold his
arms and in a terrible spasm of pain
expire. But this was not enough for
the mob and its vengeance had not
yet been appeased. One by one, the
mob left the train, jumping from the
steps. Many were seen to fall on
their heads, but off they all came and
all were seen to regain their feet.
FURTHER MUTILATED.
The mob was seen to struggle back
up the track to the body of the negro
and there to reassemble. Pistol shots
we're heard and then the train passed
around curve and it's passengers
had witnessed a scene that will ever
, live in their memories.
Two bullet holes were found in the
negrO's head, one entering the right
[ temple and the other the base of the
skull. Either would have proved ia
tai. His other injuries were a
| broken neck, broken arm, the one
| which had borne his weight, and the
| entire body was practically covered
with burises and wounds. The right
eye was also knocked out and on
| that part of the face It impressed
what appears to be the imprint of a
| boot heel.
The body when it reached the local
| morgue was almost nude, wrapped in
| sacks. 1t was soaked in water, as it
] had been left partially submerged in
| pond of water.
STAYED BY BODY. "
AS the mob left the train Deputy
Bowman, too, rolled off in a last eff.
| fort to perform his duty in the hope
| less task OF procuring evidence
/ against the mob which had so ruth
lessly worked it's vengeance. He pro.
| ceeded in the wake of the mob to the
| negro's body, about one mile from
where he left the train. But as he
| approached the body the mob passed
from view around an abutment of
! land.
Deputy Bowman then remained by
| the negro's body for two hours unit
| the arrival of assistance. protecting
| 1t In the meantime from any further
possible attempts at mutilation.
Sheriff Collins remained on the
train, carrying the report of the
lynching to Sheriff Van Pelt. who
| awaited the arrival of the prisoner
here. Immediately after the arrival
| of the train Sheriff Van Pelt started
| for the scene in an automobile. The
machine was left at Bohemia and fo1
! nearly a mile, the officers carried the
] blacks body, enshrouded in sacks, tc
/ the automobile, in which it was
| brought to the city and placed in the
morgue of F. r. Pou.
| Throughout tire remainder of the
| day the gruesome object vas the cen
| ter of the gaze OF hundreds, includ
| ing many negroes. II will be buried
early this morning
| FR!GHT-CRAZEO.
/ From the beginning the negro was
fright-crazed and cringed in his seat
pleading in low tones for the mercy
that was denied him. Before he was
freed from the seat, his head drew
a number of kicks and before he lef,
the train it is believed that his RICH,
eye was knocked out in this manner
He sustained other bruises also.
| Matthews was about fifty.fiye
years of age. For the greater mum
Der of his years he had been a state
convict, being sent up nearly a quar-
ter Of century ago for the murder
OF fellow-member Of his race. II
the various convict camps of tn,
state he was held prisoner unit
about one year ago, when he becam,
the object of the pity Of the late Gov
ernor Broward and received q pardon
at his hands.
HISTORY OF CRIME.
The alleged crime which the negr
expiated yesterday in so gruesome
manner attracted much attention a
the time. 1t occurred near the Irwi,
turpentine camp, about fifteen mile