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

At the hands of a masked and un-
known mob of white men Bob Mat
thews, a negro, charged with attempt
ing to criminally assault Miss Snow
den at klopdyke several months ago.
met death yesterday morning about
1880 o'clock one mile south of Bo-
hemia and about fourteen miles east
of Pensacola. With the burial of the
negros mutilated body shortly after
sun up this morning, the book of this
tragic story is possibly closed. His
remains will be inferred in the Pot
ter's field at the expense of the coun-
ty. None of the members of the mob
were recognized.
The negro was being conveyed to
Pensacola from DeFuniak by Deputy
Sheriff w. A. Bowman. He was to
have appeared before Judge Belling-
er yesterday afternoon, preparatory
to his trial in the criminal court of
record this morning. The lynching
came as complete surprise to the
officers of the law and citizens as
well. In fact the transportation OF
the negro to Pensacola was kept. as
1t was believed, complete secret
and this alone. it is Thought, was suf-
ticient to prevent a demonstration.
A coroners jury sworn in by Judge
r. l.. Nickelsen yesterday afternoon
will continue its deliberations this
morning at 10 o'clock 1t adjourned
yesterday afternoon, awaiting the in
PRODUCTION of additional evidence,
which may throw some light on the
identity of the personel of the mob
STORY OF LYNcHiNG.
As the best fitted to return the ne
gro to Escambia county, Deputy ".
A. Bowman was detailed by Sheriff
Van Pelt. This officer IS compare
lively little known at DeFnniak and
along the route and it was believed
that the journey with the negro could
be made with complete safety.
Accordingly Deputy Bowman went
to DeFuniak Monday night, and yes
terday morning at 1855 o'clock board
ed train No. 4 with his prisoner for
the return trip. In the meantime
Sheriff Van Pelt had summoned the
witnesses III the negro's trial to ap-
pear yesterday and after receiving e
telegram from Deputy Bowman just
before he boarded the train of the
success up to that time of his expedi-
ton, the sheriff's Office was at ease
here.
Deputy Bowman, with his prisoner
securely handcuffed, occupied the
smoking compartment of the negro
coach. Matthews was chained to the
rounds of the seat and the keys to
his handouts carried in the pocket Of
Deputy Bowman.
At Milton Sheriff John Collins, Of
Santa Rosa county, boarded the train
for Pensacola, to appear here as e
witness in another case, he not know
ing of the presence Of Deputy Bow.
man and the negro on the train. He
was at once Informed by-Deputy Bow
man of the identity Of his prisoner
and the services of Sheriff Collins
were at once volunteered, but it was
not then believed that any trouble
would occur.
OFFICERS WARNED.
Just before the arrival of the train
at Gull Point the officers were warn
ed of the approaching attack An
unknown and mysterious passenger
hurriedly passed through the coach
where the officers and their prisoner
were seated with hurried word Of
warning. The same man, presune-
bly,, warned Conductor ]. Eggart, who
was in charge of the train.
Possessed with this meagre warn
ing, the officers at once set about pre-
parations for the defense of the pris-
oner. The coach was locked at both
ends and the shades were pulled
down to hide the features of its occu-
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