The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1940-02-24
PAGE anew NEWSPAPERS a1,s~' =
AS The Twig Is Bent
Alma Bean Loving

Setting FOR me 10 see. was assured
by my ten year old sister JAMIE thai
would be more exciting than a cir.
questions as put on my pants and
shirt. what was this new adven-
turc. could hardly wait Soon
we we're in the family wagon rush
ing down the road.
NV adventure proved to be A
lynching, II was ghostly night,
the white OF mems faces against
the dim light OF their lanterns 81
the screams Of the tortured Negro.
His anguished cries fingered with
me for days | hid my face in my
mothers apron. sobbing wildly,
Nv sister called me a little coward.
sissy. Mother tried 10 shame me
by telling me was the only one
there crying. Finally manaeed to
stop my tears and look al the ter
rihle scene As continued TO
watch MY fear gradually LEFT me.
In iis place came a fascination My
father awarded me by allowing me
To keep rneer from the \egro's
hand. | took It home and mother
gave me fui, jar filled With
Alcohol kept this souvenir for
several months. The day after the
l,nchng decided 10 lynch our
family cat enjoyed myself the
whole afternoon watching the sur
fcling or the dying animal. When
ms mother round ID ont she whip
ped me Was a bii puzzled about
the cason Tor whipping but IL
didn't cure ME lyuchcd every
thing ! could SIT my hands on
Chickens dogs. cats anything
grew more hold IN my rev pasiime.
From tor'ulins animals ! grew 70
love p.nchins aud kicking my play
mates was later expelled from
school for putting a moose around
ihe neck of my best friend Things
cot SO bad when was eighteen
WAS forced 10 leave town to keep
from going 20 jail dfiited north.
"The World War was ON. | was
picked up ara sent to camp. \ few
months atcr was In France Here
is where really cnjoyed myself /
coHa XIII TO my hearts delight /
was taught 10 Kill men and be-
came expert With a bayonet a
gentle face captain taught me TO
bayonct properly. showed me the
perfect position in order TO drive
tho hayonet clearly thru man 5
CUTS ln the army graduated into
hrsi class murderer. | was a
finished product from the school Of
murder graduated with horrors.
earned three citations for bravery
in action learned to love the
smell or good warm blood The
agony 81 dying victim made ne
happy for DAYS Then, the war came
to an end came home 10 pro-
hihirion
took TO rum running like a duck
takes to water II was an oppor-
turity to kill and make lot OF
dough Ny outfit was the toughest
bunch OF cut-throais this side OF
hades. We feared no man | fear no
body now. neither God or man can
make Killer Morgan turn ON the
weeps. hut Morgan. They'll never
say died whining our so-called
good and respectable citizens made
murderer out % me. They have
their lynchings their mob murder.
They make laws. millions OF them
that are never enforced or worth
tinker's dam our selfish big
shots. sitting back in the plush
chairs start wars they don't have
10 night And when weak silly fools
like me get tangled up IN their
laws and fights we're iroued out,
Go ahead (Morgan's voice rose In
a scream OF hatred and deiance')
The lights dimmcd a low whine
as the officer pulled switch.
Killer Morgan seemed 10 rise from
his chair but the straps held him.
There was the sound of some ore
falling gave a gasp and tainted
Less than an hour. news hovs
we're shouting extra extra XII
lcr Morgan dies in electric chair-.
Killer Morgan tells his story