Lynch Negros on Murder Charge

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Author

N/A

Publisher

Nashville Banner

Publication Place

Nashville, TN

Publication Date

January 7, 1915

Transcript

YNCH NEGROES ON MURDER CHARGE Ed and Will Smith, Accused of Connection With Stillwell Assassination, Die. By Associated Press. Montgomery, Ala., January 4.-Ed and Will Smith, negroes, arrested, ac- cused of implication in the assassina- tion of R. A. Stillwell, an Elmore County farmer, last Thursday, were lynched early this morning by a mob of fifteen cr more men. About 1:30 o'clock this morning a mob of men, heavily masked and armed, entered the jail at Wetumpka, over- powered Sheriff Jackson, bound the offi- cer to a chair and forced one of the ne- gro trusties to unlock the cells of the two Smith negroes. With the two pris- oners carefully bound the men left in the direction of Elmore Station. Governor O'Neal ordered Adjutant- General Scully to mobilize the Mont- gomery militia, and at 3 o'clock the guardsmen left here in automobiles for the scene of the disorder. Stillwell was assassinated some time early Thursday morning while guard- ing his barn against negro thieves. He was shot in the back of the head. Bloodhounds were put on the trail and the scent led directly to the cabins of the Smith negroes. They were accord- ingly arrested. Tracks near the Still-s well barn, it is said, fitted the tracks made by the negroes when arrested. The bodies of the negroes were found hanging from trees in the woods near Elmore Station, five miles from Wetumpka. Three supposed members of the lynching party are in jail at Wetumpka, but their identities are be- ing 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 Montgomery companies of the state militia will remain at Wetumpka throughout the day.

Sources for

See all items with this value William Smith

See all items with this value Edward Smith