Alabama Law Triumphs Over the Mob
- Title
- Alabama Law Triumphs Over the Mob
- Source Type
- Newspapers
- Publisher
- Vicksburg Herald
- Publication Place
- Vicksburg, MS
- Publication Date
- 08/30/1901
- Transcript
- ALABAMA LAW TRIUMPHS OVER THE MOB. - Montgomery, Ala., Aug. 28.-A special from Wetumpka, Ala., says: George Howard was today convicted of murder in the first degree and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Howard was a member of the mob which lynched Robert White, a negro, in this county, some months ago. The case was called this morning in the circuit court and a jury was soon secured. After the state's evidence had been submitted the attorney for the defense, following a conference with his client, announced that Howard desired to make a statement to the court. After being sworn, Howard related the details of the lynching, admitting his participation therein. He gave the names of the members of the mob. which numbered thirteen. He said that White was taken from the officers who were bringing him to Wetumpka and was carried into a nearby swamp. One man climbed a tree and tied a rope to a limb while the other end was placed around White's neck. The negro was raised from the ground by the other members of the mob and the rope was made taut. White was then dropped. The fall was not sufficient to break the negro's neck, he dying from strangulation. After being out almost two hours the jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree and fixed the penalty at life imprisonment. Howard is one of the most prominent farmers in this section of the country. White was accused of shooting at a white man. The cases against John Strength and Martin Fuller, accused of being members of this mob, are now being tried. The case against John Thomas will be called tomorrow and that against Ben Martin Friday. Lem Strength and Will Still are also to be tried, but these cases have not been set. All others who are alleged to have been members of the mob have left the country.