The Omaha guide., 1933-10-28
EASTERN SHORE OF MARY
LAND AGAIN DISGRACES AMER
ICAN CIVILIZATION

cused Of attacking an aged white
woman, George Armwood, colored,
was dragged from the Somerset
County jail in Princess Anne the
county seat October 1S by a mob Of
more than 1000 men, women and
children and lynched.
He was hanged from a tree after
the mob had stripped him Of cloth
ing, attached a rope around his neck
and pulled him behind an automobile
through the town.
AS the mob made its lsow pro-
gress, members leaped at Armwood,
screaming and cursing. The prisoner
apparently was dead when the crowd
reached the hanging scene. ]
Later, the body was cut down and
was taken to the public square where
it was burned. The rope was cut into
small pieces an distributed as souv-
enirs.
Armwood was accused Of attacking
Ms. Mary Denston, II, as he return
ed to her home Monday.
H. was arrested here in company
with John Richardson, a white man,
charged with beng an accessory aft
err the fact in the alleged assault, and
brought here for safe keeping Coun-
ty authorities informed Governor
Richie that there would be ne
trouble and the two men were taken
back to Princess Anne.
Hanged Near Judges Home
In breaking into the jail, the mob
overpowered 25 State policemen, sent
to guard Armwood. Eight officers
ver4 injured suffering cuts and
bruises on their heads from bricks
and stones hurled at them by mob
members.
The hanging occurred next to the
home of Judge Robert r. Duer, who
had attempted to dissuade the crowd
when it first formed at the jail. The
crowd incensed at Duer's remarks,
first went to the judges home, but
moved t0 THE %neighboring house when
hey vera unable to find a tree suf-
ficiently large.
One boy, apparently about IS years
Of age, slashed the Negroes ear al
most off with a knife. After they
had taken the Negro to the public
square and burned him, the mob dis
banded.
White Man Rushed Away
IN the meantime, John Richardson,
The white nan who was under arrest
charged with being an accessory af-
ter the fact in the assault on the
farm woman, was taken from the
iail BY officers. He was accused Of
taking Armwood away from the
vicinity Of the alleged assault and
transporting him to another section
Of the county.
Governor Richie talked to Judge
Duer and the States attorney earlier
i nthe day and was assured by them
that there would be no difficulty.
After this, the governor issued
statement saying he would not have
the Negro removed.
The mob gathered shorty after
nightfall. 1t %converged on the jail
and, as it neared, the police fired
tear gas bombs. This moved the mob
back for the time being, but later II
again came forward and this time
came to hand-to hand combat with
the police. In this melee, Captain
ohnson was knocked out by a flying
brick. The mob then secured timber
from a neaby lumber yard and began
battering on the Jail door While the
officers stood helpless nearby.
Sheriff Luther Dougherty reached
prisoners cell, crying don't break
the Jail at this time and ran to the
in here"
"The responsibility for Armweod's
being at Princess Anne that night"
said Governor Richie, "rests square,
ly on the shoulders Of Judge Duer
and States Attorney Robins"
While Armwood was here in Balti-.
more where he was rushed OF avoid
a mob shortly after his capture
State police said he signed a state
ment admitting an attack en- the
woman. n
Governor Richie, after being in
formed of the lynching, said he had
t~elegraphed Judge Duer and States
Attorney Robins that the State Of
Maryland vas looking to them to set
in motion all the forces Of law to ap-
prehend the mob members. He order
ed Police Commissioner Charles Cal
CONTINUED Next Weekly