Burned at Stake

Title

Burned at Stake

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

The Richmond Dispatch

Publication Place

Richmond, VA

Publication Date

10/03/1900

Transcript

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 fied 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 implicate, 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 be, been 30 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