The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-09
When Convicted Negro
Sentenced to Be Electro
Cuted March II.
TROOPS FIRE ON CROWD
Four Persons Killed and Fif-
teen Wounded When Militia
Charges Lexington Crowd.

|
sons were killed and fifteen injured
here today when a mob intent upon
lynohing William Lockett, negro,
who confessed TO the murder Of 10
year-oId Geneva Hardman, charged
the courthouse during Loekett's trial
and was fired upon by police and
state troops.
was placed under martial law at 3
O'Clock this afternoon bv Brlq. Gen. r. |
c. Marshall, United States army, who
commanded approximately 800 regular
troops rushed here from Camp Taylor,
near Loulsville.
The crowd, intent upon lynching
the negro, was repulsed when the
soldiers fired a volley. The ring
leaders. carrying rope, were forced
to withdraw.
While tho excitement was going
on In front OF tho courthouse, jury
In the courtroom convicted Lockett
OF first degree murder and the neg
was sentenced to be electrocuted
March II.
Eight persons. including two 4
women. were among those reported
shot here this morning when the mob
OF enraged citizens and farmers
charged the courthouse during the
trial. The negro had confessed TO the
/
man.
Soldiers and policemen continued
on guard near the courthouse follow
ing the shooting. Oflclals feared an
other attempt might be made to
lynch Lockett should the crowd dis
cover his whereabouts.
The little Hardman girl was found
murdered by schoolmates a short
distance from her home last Tuesday
morning, Just a few minutes after
she had left home for nearby
schoohouse.
The girls body had been dragged /
into eornaeld and her head had
been crushed with a stone. The body
had been partly covered up with
Cornstnlks.
Confessed TO Murder.
Posses were formed by residents
of the neighborhood and a search
was instituted for the murderer.
Lockott was suspected, and finally
was found late that night at n
friends house about six miles from
the scene. lie was taken into custoda
by Lexington physician and -
friend, to whom he denied havA<
murdered the girl.
Later, policemen announced the
negro confessed 10 the murder, add
had killed tho girl.
Revised List Of Dead
Authorities announced the follow
Ing revised list of dead:
b. +. Carrier lexington; John
Thomas. Versailles: William Ening-
ton. Versailles; l.. NJ. King, LexiMks
ton.
Among those wounded were:
j. w. Stanscll, w. j. Rees. Otis
Sharp. Emmct Dozier, Irwin Gwynn,
Emmett Danziger Fred Sowders H.
G. Wcathers, Mrs. Il. 7. Cross. James
MassenRnll.
Several OF the wounded are ex-
pectod to die.
In addition to the four persons
killed. nineteen persons were injured
when the troops fired into the mob,
the authorities ascertained later.
Lexington streets were packed with
onlookors when tho negro, sur
rounded by troops, marched to the
courthouse. Heavy wires and ropes
had been stretched on either side OF
each street through which Lockett
passed and troops were under orders
to shoot To kin II an attempt was
made to reach the prisoner. Fifty
extra police and a sherit's posse pa
trollod the streets to keep the crowds
behind tho ropes.
Long before the hour set for the
opening OF the trial the courthouse
| was hlled. No one was permitted \
to enter without hrst being searched {
for weapons.
The crime FOR which Lockett Is
being tried, occurred near the Hard
man home. The child was appre-
hondcd on her way to school. at
tackled and beaten to death with a
D "a
mans quickly gathered Splriting
away OF the negro. who had been
captured hy officers. 20 the peniten-
tcntiary followed. The same neigh
bors were seen in the crowd here this
morning.
Two women also were reported 20
bee among those shot by the state
troops. Thu soldiers held on the mob
while the authorities managed 20 get
the negro away 60 a place OF safety.
Great excitement was caused by the
shooting and there We're mutterings
OF further trouble.
Those reported killed by the troop
crs were;
r.. +. Carrier. OF Lexington.
John Thomas. Of Versailles.
! William Ellington. OF Versailles.
A man named Bradley, Of Lexing-
ton.
| The mob formed near the COURT
house during tho trial. and suddenly
made "a rush Tor the entrance.
The troops attempted TO hold back
the crowd by a show Of arms. but
failed. Then the troopers resorted to
[ the use OF rifles and a machine gun.
which had been mounted at the en-
I trance. After several rounds Of shots
the mob withdrew, leaving the dead
and wounded lying in the street. The
prisoner. who had just been sen
fenced. was then rushed out back
way and secretly taken to a point Of
safety.
Firing Became Rapid.
/ EyewItuesses said enc man jumped
upon the back OF a soldier having
I charge of the machine gun. and an
other man overturned the gun 20 pre-
vent its use. Ae he did so a police
/ man struck him over the head with
/ his club and at the same time cap
tain Uf the soldiers shot "a man be-
I hind him. The firing then became
|upII and the crowd retreated.
| Immediately following the clash.
I the mob made a rush FOR the pawn
shops aud looted them Of arms.
Cry Of Lets Get Him