Burned at the Stake

Title

Burned at the Stake

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

Connecticut Western News

Publication Place

Salisbury, CT

Publication Date

10/04/1900

Transcript

BURNED AT THE STAKE. Terrible Vengeance Wreaked on a Negro. CONFESSED BEFORE HIS DEATH. Implicated Others, Who Have Been Arrested-Husband of Colored Man's Victim Set Fire to the Wood Piled About Culprit's Feet. Montgomery, Ala., Oct. 3.-Winfield Townsend, a negro, was burned at the stake in Elmore, the adjoining county to this, yesterday. He was chained to a tree, pine knots were piled about him, and the fire was started by his victim's husband. Mrs. Lon Harrington, wife of one of the leading citizens and farmers of the Eclectic neighborhood, ten miles from this city, was alone in her home when Townsend entered. He seized her and threw her violently to the floor. She screamed once before the negro clutched her throat, and Robert Nichols, a passer- by, heard her and ran to her relief. He found her unconscious, with blood streaming from her throat. The negro jumped through the window and fled as Mr. Nichols entered. The news spread, the dozen stores in Eclectic were closed, and all joined in the pursuit. Bloodhounds were secured, and they followed the trail, and at 12:30 yesterday morning, panting and exhaust- ed, they gathered about a big tree in front of a country store. The crowd soon surrounded the tree, and the negro was seen high up in the foliage. He was brought down and carried to the scene of his crime, where he was positively identified by Mrs. Harrington. A vote was taken as to how he should die, and by almost unanimous vote the several hundred present decided to burn him, which they did. Townsend made a confession implicat- ing seven other negroes in his crime. As this is the second white woman assaulted in this vicinity within a month it is believed there is a conspiracy among the negroes. One of the negroes implicated in the confession of Townsend was in jail here charged with burglary, and as threats of lynching were made he was sent to Mont- gomery last night for safe keeping. The deputy sheriff had a wild drive of 14 miles through the country, and had he been 80 minutes later a crowd of men who left here by train would have inter- cepted him. After reaching Montgomery two other negroes who are implicated in the crime were arrested by the deputy. They are Frank Floyd and Jake Floyd, brothers of the negro, Zeb Floyd, who was lynch- ed at Wetumpka Sept. 9. A singular co- incidence is that Mrs. Harrington, who was assaulted yesterday, is a kinswoman of Miss Pearson, who was assaulted on Sept. 3, for which Zeb Floyd was lynch- ed. More trouble may arise.

Sources for

See all items with this value Frank Floyd