"RESPECTABLE " LYNCHING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12585, 16 August 1910, Page 2

" RESPECTABLE " LYNCHING.

"I wish you would please state that the lynching of Elmo Curl, at Mastodon, Mississippi, was a most orderly affair, conducted by the bankers, lawyers, farmers, and merchants of that country. The best people of the country—as good as the best anywhere— simply met and hanged Curl without a sign of rowdyism. There was no drinkting, shooting, or yelling, not even loud talking." This request appears in various South American newspapers withouV comments, writes (the NewYork correspondent of the "Standard." It is made by Mr John Miller, tax assessor, brother of W. Miller, who was shot by Curl at Mastodon ssvoral weeks ago, when Mr Miller went at the head of a posse to arrest him for writing an insulting note to a whito woman. John Miller, in the course of an interview, said: "My friends and neighbours, after capturing the negro, kindly asked me to express my wishes. Their courtesy to me could not have leen surpassed. I told them I did not believe in brutality, nor did I approve of the mutilation of bodies by torture ov slow burning, but I'd like to have the privilege accorded me of having the first pull on the rope after the negro was ready for hanging to a tree. Ml acceded to my wishes, but I believe the negro was dead from fright lcng; bef-oro he was hauled from the ground. The knot was tied at the back of his neck, and the negro was slowly hauled up. There was no jerk •or fall; yet he never kiok-sd, and, so far as we could see, no muscle ever moved after has was hoisted into the air. In fact, we had to lift him to his feet, as he seemed unable to stand. All the best neople in that section took part, and I have never' seen a more orderly assemblage anywhere."