The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-09-30
NEGROES
RE..LYNCHED.
IMPLICATED IN DEATH OF DEPU-
TY SHERIFF VICTIMS OF
OKLAHOMA MOB.
lynching Prevented by Methodist Min
lister, Only to Be Successfully
Carried Out Later.

| NOWATA. Okla. Sept. 29.-.rwo ne.
groes accused Of being implicated in
the killing of Deputy Sheriff James
Gibson during Jail delivery here, to.
day, were taken from the Jail by mob
tonight and lynched in front of the
court house.
A first attempt to lynch one Of the
negroes Immediately after their cap
ture was frustrated by the Rev. Perry
E. Pierce. a Methodist minister who
pleaded with the mob until the sus,
pended negro was cut down, uncon-
scious, but alive. The mob dispersed,
but public feeling was not allayed,
AID the mob reformed later, with the
announced intention OF lynching the
two men, who had been returned TO
the Jail. Vile the prisoners had been
taken from the Jail. short work was
made of putting them 10 death.
Events eliminating in the double
lynching moved with dramatic swift
ness. Three negro prisoners effected
day. They were discovered in the act
! by Sheriff James May. who was
knocked down and robbed OF his pis-
tol, Gibson went 10 his aid and was
shot 10 death. 1t was only few min
utes after the negroes had gained
! their freedom that mob bent on
vengeance was in close pursuit. Two
OF the negroes took refuge in a house
, in the outskirts Of Nowata. where
they were surrounded and re-arrested.
The third negro apparently made good
his escape. One of fthc rp.arrested
negroes, John Foreman. alleged 10
have been the man who killed Gibson.
was wounded when taken into custody
and was not molested. bur the I'M
wounded negro was seized by the mob,
which had grown to large proportions,
and parade through the principal
streets began with the negro scream.
ing for mercy. at ropes end. When
the mob reached the Methodist church
large tree with outspreading branch
, es offered the opportunity which the
rope around the negro's neck sug-
gestcd.
Minister Saves Man.
Lets lynch the negro on holy
ground" shouted some one in the
Icrowd. The prisoner was swung clear
Of the ground and was being choked
10 death when Mr.. Pierce appeared, at
tracte6 from his study in the parson-
,age by the Negroes screams. He rushed
from the house into the midst Of the
crowd and began his peadings for the
| NOSAlltu IAlll lIiC.
/ The mob paused in its work TO hea:
what the minister had TO say
Men, beseecl: you in the name OF
God and to desecrate this molly
ground" pleaded Mr.. Pierce. DO not
J stain the name of our city by going
| into this terrible affair
With great earnestness he demand
! ed that the law be allowed to take It's
course. Five minutes the pastor spoke
/ until one of the mob leaders, turning
| to his fellows. said:
Men, Mr.. Pierce is right. Take the
negro back to Jail and let the law
| take its course"
The mob, sobered by the words OF
the pastor, and the assumption OF
leadership taken by one of its mem
bers. led tie negro back TO jail.
Nowata was quiet following the cpl
sode but quiet was only the lull be
fore storm.
Shortly after, Foreman and lie
negro who had been rescued from The
mob in the afternoon and who mad
! given the name OF Sunny" Powell 20
the Jail authorities, were taken from
| the Jail by another and larger mob nf
citizens. Foreman was strung up, to
| n lamp post near The court house and
Powell was hanged from tree 4 few
feet distant.