TWO NEGROS ARE LYNCHED
Item
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Title
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TWO NEGROS ARE LYNCHED
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Source Type
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Newspapers
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Author
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N/A
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Publisher
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St. Joseph Gazette
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Publication Place
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St. Joseph, MO
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Publication Date
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January 4, 1915
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Transcript
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TWO NEGROES ARE LYNCHED. Brothers Are Taken From Jail at Wetumpka, Ala', by Mob Before Militia Can Arrive. MONTGOMERY, Ala., Jan. 4-Ed and will Smith, negroes, charged with Implication In the murder of R.A. Stilwell, R prominent Elmore County farmer, were lynched early today by a mob. The negroes were taken from the jall at Wetumpka, where they had been confined since Friday morning. Soon after reports reached the governor's office that a mob had overpowered the jail attaches at Wetumpka and removed the negroes, Montgomery militiamen hurried towards the scene in automobiles. They were too late to prevent the lynching. Stilwell was shot several days ago while guarding his barn against thieves. Bloodhounds led directly, it was declared, to the cabin of the Smith negroes, who were arrested. About 1:30 o'clock this morning a mob of men, marked and armed, entered the jail, overpowered Sheriff Jackson, bound him to a chair and forced a negro trusty to unlock the cells of the two negroes, With their prisoners carefully bound the men left, going in the direction of Elmore station. Details are meager as to what occurred after their departure. The bodies have not yet been found. The militia are today endeavoring to round up some of the participants in the party. The mob was composed of fifteen or twenty men. The supposed members of the lynching party are in jail at Wetumpka, but their Identity is being kept secret by the authorities. Governor O'Neal has ordered a special session of the Elmore County grand jury to investigate the lynchings. The three companies of the state militia from Montgomery will remain at Wetumpka throughout the day.
TWO NEGROS ARE LYNCHED