Lynchers Convicted
- Title
- Lynchers Convicted
- Source Type
- Newspapers
- Publisher
- Russell Register
- Publication Place
- Seale, AL
- Publication Date
- 09/06/1901
- Transcript
- LYNCHER'S CONVICTED. The trial and conviction of White men for participating in a lynching is something new, but it is a fact, nevertheless. Several white men have been convicted recently in Elmore county for lynching a negro, and it is probable that hereafter, in that county at least, would be lynchers will pause and consider the consequences of constituting themselves judges, jurors and executioners. A negro by the name of Robert White was lynched between Wetumpka and and Tallassee early Tuesday morning, July 21 last. White and his brother were accused of shooting at a farmer named Thomas. Robert White was arrested and was being taken to Wetumpka jail by Messrs. Clop Tanton, Marion Pitman and Bryant Nails when he was taken from the officers by is mob and lynched. Robert White and his brother, Winston White were tenants on the the place of Mr. Godwin. who lives four miles from Tallassee. Their cabin was near the little farm of a white man named Thomas. The chickens of the negroes annoyed Thomas, who shot them while on his premises. This enraged the negroes and the night before the lynching the White brothers went to the house of Thomas and attacked him, firing a shotgun into his house six times. Thomas returned the fire and Winston White was shot in the arm. A posse gave chase to the negroes and Robert White was captured and lynched. Winston White was subsequently captured and lodged in Wetumpka jail. Thomas, the farmer, was not injured. The first man who was placed on trial was George Howard a prominent and respectable farmer of the community. Howard, under oath, admitted his guilt and implicated twelve other white men of the neighborhood, against all of whom indictments had been found by a special grand jury, empannelled by Judge Denson for the purpose of investigating the lynching. The case against Howard was submitted to the jury without argument, and after being out two or three hours, a verdict was rendered, finding the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree and sentencing him to imprisonment for life in the penitentiary. Since Howard's trial several others have been tried and convicted receiving various terms in the penitentiary. These trials and convictions will doubtless have a wholesome effect upon all who might be tempted to take the law in their own hands. Especially coming upon the heel of two successful efforts of Alabama sheriffs to repulse mobs and protect prisoners in their custody. Whenever any people, no matter how hot-headed, no matter how great may be their desire for vengeance, are confronted with the certainty of spending the remainder of their lives behind prison walls if found guilty of participating in a lynching, they will be very slow to engage in such unlawful practices. The sentiment against lynching is growing. The people are aroused, they see the terrible consequences that result from such a state of disorder and they are ready to put a stop to it. This is well for no government can long stand the pressure of such lawlessness. We hope to see this sentiment grow until the whole people will be willing to let the law take its course.
Part of Lynchers Convicted