LYNCH LAW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 40, 2 October 1911, Page 3

LYNCH LAW.

There were some exceptional features in an abominable case of lynching which occurred recently in Pennsylvania. Such vengeance is so common in America that it fails to create a sensation, but lynch law has always supposed to lie non-existent in Pennsylvania. It has now created a precedent, and, judging from the manner in which the crime lias been received by the citizens of that State, there will be many more to follow. Walker, a negro, shot a policeman wild had attempted to arrest him for highway robbery . He then attempted to shoot himself, hut inflicted only a. serious wound. Ho was then taken to a hospital, where the authorities, fearing the mob, mounded him to the bed and put a "constable on guard. The precaution was, however, useless, hive hundred men invaded the hospital, causing panic among the inmates. They found the negro and carried him, cot and all, out of the building. The policeman used every effort ,but was powerless. It was Sunday cVening,and the procession, headed by the wounded negro, pleading for Ids life, passed several churches as the evening service was ending. Many worshippers joined the throng, hurling imprecations at the black. After dragging the unfortunate man for over a mile, the crowd piled straw around him, and burnt him to death. Nothing could exceed the ghastliness of the details. Bearing mementoes of the deed, the links of the chains and the manacles, the 'lynchers' returned to the town to receive the approval of their fellow-citizens. jthp widow ( of the murdered policeman, y.'ho, of course, was interviewed, expressed herself as satisfied with the inode of the negro’s death. “My only regret is,” she said, “that 1 was 1 not there to apply the match.” So far the police have taken no action, as public opinion commends the, lynchers. It is. stated,, however, that the county 'authorities are endeavouring to obtain evidence, with a view to prosecuting the ringleaders. Though this is Pennsylvania’s first lynching case, no Southern mob, however familiar with lynch law, has ever displayed worse cruelty than did the Northerners on that Sunday night.