The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-02-10
Four Members of Mob Killed
When Attempt Is Made to
Seize Negro Prisoner.
NEGRO is CONVICTED
Troops From Camp Taylor Aug
ment Militia and Guard
Courthouse During Trial

Lexington, Ky, Feb. 9-Martial law
was declared this afternoon in Lex
lngton and Fayette county by Briga-
| dier General Marshall on his arrival
from Camp Taylor with 300 troops of
the 1st division to prevent renewal
of rioting which during the day cost
four lives and caused fifteen to be
injured. Federal troops with 800 mill
tiamen were patrolling the streets TO-
night. The city is quiet but authori-
ties feared a recurrence of trouble
The rioting began with attempts to
lynch William Lockett negro who con-
feSsed to the murder last week of ten
year old Geneva Hardman. Soldiers
fired into the crowd which later looted
pawnshops to get arms but in the
meantime the negro confessed, was
convicted and sentenced to be electro
cuted March II, and was spirited
away. Later it was learned he was
confined in the court house under
heavy guard.
-Four persons were killed and several
injured here today when a mob in
tent upon lynchirg William Lockett.
negro, who confessed to the murder OF
ten year old Geneva Hardman. charged
the court house during Lockett's trial
and was fired upon ~ police and state
troops.
In addition to the four persons killed,
fifteen persons were injured when the
troops fired into the mob, the authori-
ties ascertained later.
Four hundred troops from Camp
Taylor have been ordered to Lexing-
ton to prevent any further trouble and
are now enroute here, officials an
nounced The additional troops were
requested. it was feared the 800 mill
| tiamen could not handle the situa-
ton.
The mob is now looting pawnshops.
Sixty-two revolvers were taken at one
place. An attack on the troops is feared
by the authorities.
Soldiers and policemen continued on
guard near the court house following
the shooting. Officials feared an at
tempt might be made to lynch Lockett
should the crowd discover his where
aboutS.
The little Harman girl was found
murdered by school mates short dis
tance from her home last Tuesday
morning, just a few minutes after she
had left home for nearby school
house.
The girls body had been dragged
into a corn field and her head had
been crushed with n stone The body
nad Deen partly covered up with corn
stalks.
Posse were formed by residents of
the neighborhood and a search was
instituted for the murderer. Lockett
was suspected and finally was found
late that night at a friends house
about six miles from the scene. He
was taken into custody by a Lexington
physician and his friend. TO whom he
denied to having murdered the girl.
Later policemen announced the ne
gro confessed to the murder adding
that 'he didn't know why he had
killed the child.
Authorities announced the following
revised list of dead: e. f. Carrier,
Lexington John Thomas. Versailles:
William Ellington, Versailles; l.. NJ.
King, Lexington.
Among those wounded were:
j. w. Stansell, W. J. Rees, Otis
Sharp Emmett DoZier, Irwin Gwynn,'
Emmett Danzieger; Fred Sewers, II.
c. Weathers; Mrs. f. T. Cross, James
Massevgall.
Several of the wounded are expect
ed to die.