1
10
18
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/25fbb90e219d5e921a2c5cef5f6eeae5.jpg
b53894b2a6b163dee9a35b2b0ca4cc06
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Harper, Lexington Weekly Leader, December 29, 1892
Subject
The topic of the resource
Harper, Bob
Charge, rape
Mob, hanging
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>Bob Harper Dies</h3>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto"><strong>At the Hands of a Mob at Bowling Green— Sudden Ending to the Inquiry in Progress— The Prisoner Captured in the Court House— And Hung From a Beech street in the Fair Grounds<br /><br /></strong></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 28– Bob Harper has paid the penalty for the assault upon Miss Anderson, and the people feel that the terrible crime has been avenged.<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">When court opened this morning the witnesses for the Commonwealth were examined and Hon. J.C. Sims had just announced that the Commonwealth would rest. Judge Delaney had retired to the witness room to consult his witness, when a mob entered the court room armed with guns.<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">It was just 11:40 o’clock a.m. The prisoner ran to The Leader correspondent who was standing near at hand and dropped at his feet pleading for protection. The mob leaders grabbed the poor wretch and dragged him from the court room. <br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">It was announced that the hanging would take place at the fair grounds, which is just one mile from the court house. The march continued up State street and out Twelfth to the grounds.<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Just inside the gate there is a large beech tree, and under this was placed a wagon. Harper’s feet and hands were securely tied, and the noose placed around his neck. He was then lifted to the wagon seat and allowed to make a statement. <br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">He stoutly protested his innocence, and died game. His coolness was remarkable. The wagon was pulled from under him at 11:58 o’clock and he was pronounced to be dead fifty minutes later.<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">A placard was then placed upon the body which read: “This body must hang till tomorrow at noon, December 29. By order of the Committee.” <br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Not a shot was fired, and the crowd dispersed quietly. There was no boisterous conduct, the mob being composed of sober and orderly men.<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Along the streets leading to the fair grounds the ladies rushed to the windows and much excitement was created in the homes.<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Just before the hanging, while preparations were being made, Harper dictated this statement to several newspaper men, which was written out by the Louisville Post correspondent and to which he added his signature.<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">“I have done all I can do in this world to prove my innocence. I am innocent, and I will die with that on my lips I believe I am saved. Have never done anybody any harm. Ask my folks to bury me in the cemetery.”<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">ROBERT HARPER<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">From the courthouse to the scene of the hanging your correspondent tried to pursuance him to confess if guilty, but he stoutly protested his innocence.<br /><br /></div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">A committee of citizens went to the Anderson residence this morning and was told by Miss Anderson’s father and family that they believed Harper guilty. This determined the angry crowd to take the law into their own hands. </div>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-weekly-leader-harper/130535075/">Newspapers.com</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
The Weekly Leader [Lexington, Ky.]
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1892-12-29
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Micah Lynn
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Bowling Green, Warren County
1890-1900
1892
Bowling Green
Harper
Micah Lynn
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/cb69c2301df2f9586e0229c951ecf5ff.jpg
c8acdab7197da2c37a7d557bafcc116c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Skaggs, Hartford Ohio County News, April 22, 1891
Subject
The topic of the resource
Skaggs, Will
Charge, murder
Mob, seven members
Mob, shooting
Mob, masked
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>KILLED BY A MOB.</h3>
<h4>A Murderer Meets Sudden Retribution at the Hands of Masked Men in Warren County.</h4>
BOWLING GREEN, KY., April 16.--At 2 o’clock this afternoon the news was received at this town of a mob that visited the old Union neighborhood, this county, at an early hour this morning, and shot to death Will Skaggs, a negro, eighteen years of age. The mob was a small one, being composed of seven men, all masked, but they were armed and determined, as their subsequent actions show. Tuesday Skaggs was in Allen county, and became engaged in a difficulty with a young white man named Kirby, and the result was that the negro dangerously and probably fatally cut his adversary with a pocket-knife. Recognizing the seriousness of his crime, he fled from the scene, and came to his home in the old Union neighborhood, near this city. He arrived at his father’s home last night, but fearing mob violence left before midnight, and went to the cabin of old Boyd Johnson, a negro living near by. He remained there until a short while before the day this morning, when he and the other inmates of the house were aroused by a sound of pounding at the door. Believing the noise was made by a mob the negro dressed hurriedly and attempted to escape from the house by a rear door. When the negro fled from the band of men who were beating on the door he ran almost into the arms of seven masked men. They at once fired on him, and after firing five shots Skaggs fell dead, each of the shots having pierced his body. <br /><br />After killing the negro the mob mounted horses and dispersed, each going quietly in a different direction. It is not known who composed the mob, but it is supposed the men were white, and that the members were friends of young Kirby, who was so seriously cut Tuesday. Not a word was spoken from the time the mob went to the house until it dispersed. News from Allen county received since noon is to the effect that Kirby is dying.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ohio-county-news-the-ohio-county-new/133851066/">Newspapers.com</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ohio County News [Hartford, Ky.]
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1891-04-22
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kailly Oum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Bowling Green, Warren County, Allen County
1890-1900
1891
Allen County
Bowling Green
Kailly Oum
Skaggs
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/2386238f969438cd10c02beec60c4d9d.png
0ee7babdd4529bf8c14f41226f146985
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Skaggs, Cleveland Gazette, April 25, 1891
Subject
The topic of the resource
Skaggs, Will
Charge, murder
Mob, seven members
Mob, shooting
Mob, masked
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>Seven White Curs Kill a Boy</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN. KY.--William Skaggs, a colored boy eighteen years old, met death, early last week Thursday morning, a victim to mob violence, in the country about two miles from this city. Skaggs, on Tuesday, went up into Allen county on a visit and while there became engaged in a personal difficulty with a white man named William Kirby, resulting in Kirby being fatally cut with a knife. Thursday, seven masked men hunted Skaggs up, and while he was trying to escape a volley of bullets from the maskers killed him.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Arkansas legislature has twelve Negro representatives, one in the senate and eleven in the house.</span></p>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
America's Historical Newspapers
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Cleveland Gazette [Cleveland, Oh.]
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1891-04-25
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kailly Oum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Bowling Green, Warren County, Allen County
1890-1900
1891
Allen County
Bowling Green
Kailly Oum
Skaggs
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/4891cca58e886a4fdf448230437ce19b.jpg
6483046a0681e2283c395a132dbf67a1
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Skaggs, Lexington Herald-Leader (Kentucky Leader), April 17, 1891
Subject
The topic of the resource
Skaggs, Will
Charge, murder
Mob, seven members
Mob, shooting
Mob, masked
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>FILLED WITH BULLETS.</h3>
<h4>FATE OF A NEGRO BOY WHO CUT A WHITE ONE<br />A Mob's Vengeance About Two Miles from Bowling Green, Kentucky-The Victim of the Cutting Will Also Pass in His Checks</h4>
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">Special to THE LEADER<br /></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bowling, Green, KY., April 17.—William Skaggs, a colored boy 18 years old, met death early yesterday morning, a victim to mob violence. It occurred in the country about two miles from this city. He was a pure African, and the son of John Skaggs, who lived near the scene of the shooting.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Skaggs on Tuesday went up into Allen county on a visit, and while there became engaged in a personality difficulty with a young white man named William Kirby. It resulted in Kirby being badly cut with a knife in the hands of Skaggs, and he is now lying at the point of death.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Skaggs came to his home in this county, and fearing a visitation from a mob went to the house of Boyd Johnson to spend the night. Before day seven masked men appeared at the house of Skeggs’ father and inquired for the boy. Failing to find him there they went to Johnson’s, and, after they had surrounded the house, Skaggs, who had been awakened and was on the alert, rushed out the back door and attempted to escape, but was met by a volley of bullets from the maskers and fell dead to the ground.</span></p>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://newscomwc.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-lexington-herald/133853017/">Newspapers.com</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Lexington Herald-Leader (formerly known as the Kentucky Leader) [Lexington, Ky.]
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1891-04-17
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kailly Oum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Bowling Green, Warren County, Allen County
1890-1900
1891
Allen County
Bowling Green
Kailly Oum
Skaggs
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/90edbe2169757072f0b7f563271c574c.png
530ff228b12e4d40fc2d8e136502fef6
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Still Image
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Title
A name given to the resource
Skaggs, Kansas City Times, April 17, 1891
Subject
The topic of the resource
Skaggs, Will
Charge, murder
Mob, seven members
Mob, shooting
Mob, masked
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>A Murder Summarily Avenged.</h3>
<br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">LOUISVILLE, KY., APRIL 16–Seven masked men visited the old Union neighborhood near Bowling Green early this morning and shot to death Will Skaggs, a negro 18 years of age, who on Tuesday fatally cut a young white man named Kirby. The men then mounted their horses and quietly rode away in different directions. There is no clue to their identity.</span>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11FF2A92A519802A%40EANX-1206C6A3EBDE1E28%402411840-1203DA53798403A8%403-12388FE3196C8E9E%40Guilty%2BOf%2BWill%2BForgery.%2BTwo%2BChicagoans%2BConvicted%2Bof%2Ba%2BBold%2BScheme%2Bto%2BSecure%2Ba%2BFortune&hlterms=">America's Historical Newspapers</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Kansas City Times [Kansas City, Mo.]
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1891-04-17
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kailly Oum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Bowling Green, Warren County, Allen County
1890-1900
1891
Allen County
Bowling Green
Kailly Oum
Skaggs
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/ee9996db32e88d92f9f95de623036f03.jpg
10716f2ed321f90b3ecac1582a8d98d2
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Skaggs, Osceola Record, April 23, 1891
Subject
The topic of the resource
Skaggs, Will
Charge, murder
Mob, seven members
Mob, shooting
Mob, masked
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>NEWS NOTES.</h3>
An armed mob shot and killed in Warren county, Ky., Will Skaggs, colored, an escaped murderer.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Osceola Report [Osceola, Ne.]
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1891-04-23
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kailly Oum
Format
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Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Bowling Green, Warren County, Allen County
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/osceola-record/134921095/">Newspapers.com</a>
1890-1900
1891
Allen County
Bowling Green
Kailly Oum
Skaggs
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/f2968658022551ee3facd405cb747e4e.jpg
e6fa47bce67ad30a20faab79bdb123df
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Morton, Hartford Ohio County News, February 10, 1897
Subject
The topic of the resource
Morton, Robert
Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman
Mob, unknown number
Mob, hanging
Description
An account of the resource
<h3><strong>Another Kentucky Lynching.</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, KY., Feb. 4—Robert Morton, colored, was hanged by a mob about three miles from Rockfield, shortly after midnight last night. The lynchers went about the work in a quiet way, and the people of this vicinity were so reticent on the subject that nothing was known here of the affair until noon to-day. Rockfield is a little station on the L. and N., ten miles from this city.<br /><br />It is said that the negro, a son of a section hand at Rockfield, yesterday wrote an insulting and insinnating [sic] note to Miss Tommie Johnson, a well known white woman of Rockfield. When this became known a posse started to arrest him, he ran, and the officers gave chase, capturing him only after threatening him several times. After his arrest, he was taken to a house on the Russellville pike, not far from town, and put under guard until he could be brought here and lodged in jail.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 12 o’clock a party of men appeared at the house, overpowered the guards, and took the prisoner away from them. They then proceeded with him about three miles from Rockfield, and hanged him and quietly dispersed, going to their homes. </span></p>
<p><strong>NOT LYNCHED<br /></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, KY., Feb. 8.—Robert Morton, the negro boy who was taken from his home near Rockfield, ten miles south of Bowling Green, Thursday night by a mob, has not yet been found. It is claimed by the people of this city that the negro was not lynched, but only severely whipped.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Morton’s offense consisted in sending an offensive letter to Miss Timmie Johnson, of Rockfield. Her friends heard of this and several young men went to the home the negro, took him to the woods and gave him one hundred lashed on his back. It is said the boy left the country, fearing more serious punishment. </span></strong></p>
<h4><strong> </strong></h4>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ohio-county-news-another-kentucky-ly/133838082/">Newspapers.com</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Ohio County News [Hartford, Ky.]
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1897-02-10
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kailly Oum
Format
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Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Rockfield, Warren County
1890-1900
1897
Kailly Oum
Morton
Rockfield
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/04892a630b35765272a05af619d2ac46.jpg
514575326e6d3ae55d008e0a4e826a44
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
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Title
A name given to the resource
Morton, Owensboro Twice-A-Week Messenger, February 6, 1897
Subject
The topic of the resource
Morton, Robert
Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman
Mob, unknown number
Mob, hanging
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>A NEGRO LYNCHED</h3>
<strong>In Morgan County fo Writing an Insulting Letter to a White Woman</strong><br />
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bawling [sic] Green, Feb. 4.—Last night, near Rockfield, ten miles from this city, a negro named Robert Morton yesterday wrote an insulting note to Miss Tillie Johnson, a very popular young white woman of that town. When it became known, a posse went out to arrest Morton. He ran, but the posse gave chase and captured him after shooting him several times. While the officers were guarding Morton, a mob overpowered them and took the prisoner three miles away and hanged him. The body was found this morning. The matter was kept so quiet that it was not known here until noon today.</span></p>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-twice-a-week-messenger-a-negro-lynch/133837908/">Newspaper.com</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Twice-A-Week Messenger [Owensboro, Ky.]
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1897-02-06
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kailly Oum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Rockfield, Warren County
1890-1900
1897
Kailly Oum
Morton
Rockfield
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/4dcade7a802efe5079fdd5745a3214bb.pdf
b0416cf9272751dd6934cb7b8e4efa3a
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Warren County
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Morton, Freeman, February 13, 1897
Subject
The topic of the resource
Morton, Robert
Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman
Mob, unknown number
Mob, hanging
Description
An account of the resource
<h3>LYNCHED FOR WRITING A DISRESPECTFUL LETTER</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We learn from the Standard, published in Lexington, Ky., that a Robert Morton was lynched in Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 4th for writing an insulting and insinuating letter to a white lady. The Standards says:<br /><br />“Morton wrote an insulting and insinuating note to Miss Tommie Johnson, a popular young white woman of the town, and when it became known a posse went to arrest him. He ran and they gave chase, capturing him after shooting him several times. While the officers were guarding Morton, a mob overpowered them and took the prisoner out of their custody and carrying him three miles from town, hung him. The body was found the next morning. The matter was kept so quiet that it was not known until noon the next day. Morton was 21 years old and the son of a section hand.”<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The above article is reproduced, not so much to show up another case of lynching, as to prove the fact, that, life is daily becoming cheaper. We mean Negro life within our own domain. It may be considered a sign of awakening conscience in the tone of the Southern press, which at this time is using its influence in trying to stir up public sentiment against such outrages, that strike at the race’s very existence. It is a matter of appreciation to note the worthy attitude. But will it amount to any more than the press of the North that has been thundering away at the iniquitous institution? There are many mobile minded white men and women of the South who have always upheld the supremacy of the laws, yet, as in the days of rebellion, what did their puny opposition amount to? We do not underrate the influence of their demonstrations, but the evil must show some sign of abatement before we conclude as to the potency of the press. The learned are to be convinced, but the standing army of intellectual beggars will not be educated in a day. The unwillingness to believe that the Negro is anything but an inferiorilly endowed being, is difficult to erradicate [sic] when so great a pleasure results from the belief. To be hung for writing an indecent letter is a spectacle for modern civilization. If Morton alone suffered, well might we hold our peace, but ‘tis not Morton that was stricken down. It was a blow aimed at ten million of people who are unfortunate simply in being born. No question of pessimism or optimism at this juncture. Dollars and cents have long ago dropped out of the equation. The unknown quantity of respect for the race remains quad erat demonstrandum. Misdemeanors of all denominations will occur, do occur daily, but it is not the prerogative of any hastily organized tribunal to settle the matter. It is nothing within the court’s province to mete out punishment commensurate with the crime. Those who first framed the laws took into cognizance the probable existence of the malefactor. They accordingly specified the possible crimes and the penalties for the committing of the same. The only excuse for the existence of courts, criminal or otherwise, is to protect the weak against the strong. “A nation on trial,” says the English, and with much show of reason. A nation that acts for a part of the people, defends them, when criminals, trys them, and when innocent acquits them, that recognizes the blinded condition of the goddess of justice, that weighs all in the balances alike, has a government for, of and by the people. If these conditions do not obtain, the nation is but an experiment; its people submitting to its rules and regulations at their fancy. These irregularities are being winked at in some parts of the country: a process which is disreputable from a national standpoint. National honor! What an odd sound, when liked a whited sepulcher lay in its bosom an object of perpetual detestation. Cuba Libre, and Delena est Negro! will do to couple together for a National yell. Armenia for Christ! Negroes for hell, is the joyful refrain. The Sultan of Turkey comes in for his share of scoring by the christian world. What about the bullet riddled Negro whose life mounts the smoke of the fire by which he is consumed? The skeptical Negro is in the land. His almost superstitious religious beliefs keeps him from multiplying only. The apparent causes are amply sufficient. The weakness of Republics is no more apparent than in cases of this kind. Officers who hold their offices and are sworn to do their duties, are intimidated in various ways, all resulting in the maltreatment of a class of citizens at the behest of popular sentiment or approval, regardless of the mandates of the law. Every man is innocent until proven guilty! What a beautiful theory, but how ruthlessly violated! Crime of crimeless, the violation of the proprieties, whether great or small, when supposed to be committed by a Negro, death is the only compromise. Nor is it peculiar to one section. The length and breadth of the South are so inoculated with the venomous spirit that suspicion is a synonym for death. While the millions are law abiding, having no part in, nor sympathy for, the rascally members of the race, it should not be held that these irregular takings off are of no moment. It must be born in mind that whenever these charges are preferred, no matter in what community, the whole community is for the time inflamed as one man against the Negro, proving an utter contempt for him when he swings beyond his prescribed circle. It is hard to say, but safe to say there is no power strong enough to combat the evil. To threat, to denounce, all ends in threatening and denouncing. The fire will burn until there is no longer substance on which to feed. As the years roll on the Negros will still be shot down in cane-brake and bush They will expire amid the crackling flames and voluminous smoke that ascends to heaven as an only protest. The sheep of a nation—domestic and docile—waiting in the shambles for sacrifice—such is the picture of our most free institutions up to date.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>
Source
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America's Historical Newspapers
Publisher
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The Freeman [Indianapolis, In.]
Date
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1897-02-13
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Kailly Oum
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Image
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Rockfield, Warren County
1890-1900
1897
Kailly Oum
Morton
Rockfield
Transcribed
Warren County
-
https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/e1316966547f6eea414b976dbabda65d.jpg
5a718830c17611428c42f506b99924d4
Dublin Core
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Warren County
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Morton, Richmond Climax, February 10, 1897
Subject
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Morton, Robert
Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman
Mob, unknown number
Mob, hanging
Description
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<h3>GUARDS OVERPOWERED</h3>
<strong>And Robert Morton Taken out By a Mob and Hanged</strong><br />
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, KY., Feb. 5.—Robert Morton, colored, was hanged by a mob about three miles from Rockfield, shortly after midnight Wednesday night. It is said that the negro, a son of a section hand at Rockfield wrote an insulting and insinuating note to Miss. Tommie Johnson, a well-known young white woman of Rockfield. When this became known a posse started at once to arrest Morton. When they found him he ran and the officers gave chase capturing him only after threatening him several times.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">After he was arrested he was taken to a house on the Russellville pike, near town, and put under guard until he could be brought here and lodged in jail. About 12 o’clock a party of men appeared at the house, overpowered the guards and took the prisoner away from them. They then proceeded with him about three miles from Rockfield, hanged him and quickly dispersed, going to their homes. <br /><br />Morton’s body was found Thursday morning and cut down. Morton was about twenty-one years old and did not bear a good reputation.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong>Shot, Not Hanged.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, KY., Feb. 6.—Further details of the lynching of Robert Morton colored, at Rockfield, Wednesday, or writing an insulting note to Miss Tommie Johnson, show that the Negro was decoyed to a vacant house out of town and shown the note. Morton then drew a pistol and fired on the mob twice, wounding one man in the leg. The mob returned the fire and Morton fell. He was picked up and carried into the hills. His body has not been found.</span><br /></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>
Source
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<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-climax-guards-overpowered/133838258/">Newspapers.com</a>
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Richmond Climax [Richmond, Ky.]
Date
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1897-02-10
Contributor
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Kailly Oum
Format
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Image
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Rockfield, Warren County
1890-1900
1897
Kailly Oum
Morton
Rockfield
Transcribed
Warren County