Thomas Tried to Escape
Item
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Title
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Thomas Tried to Escape
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Source Type
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Newspapers
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Publisher
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Selma Morning Times
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Publication Place
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Selma, AL
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Publication Date
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09/29/1901
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Transcript
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THOMAS TRIED TO ESCAPE. Man Convicted of Complicity In Lynching Threatens Deputy. WETUMPKA, Ala, Sept. 28.-Considerable excitement was created at the jail here by John Thomas making a desperate attempt to liberate himself. Thomas, it will be remembered, was one of the men tried and convicted for lynching Robert White. He appealed the case and has, of course, been confined in jail since his trial. Jim Robbins, son of Sheriff Robbins, went in the jail for the purpose of giving the prisoners fresh water. He had with him a young negro to assist him. As he entered the cell in which Thomas was confined, Thomas sprang out the door, closing it upon the jailer, who was unarmed. The heavy iron door being still looked. the prisoner secured a piece of iron and was fast working his way through the thin brick wall. Mr. Robbins, the jailer, called to the negro and told him to open the cell door, but Thomas told him if he attempted it he would kill him. The alarm was given by some negroes on the outside of the building, and soon a large crowd gathered at the jail, having heard that Robbins was killed. Thomas was disarmed and placed back in his cell. Sheriff Robbins says Thomas made an attempt last week on the life of Abe White, who is also confined in jail. Abe White is the negro with whom Thomas had the shooting scrape that led to the lynching of Robert White.
Thomas Tried to Escape