Haggard, Lexington Leader, July 16, 1895

Bob Haggard Taken From The Jail at Winchester

And Swung From the Kentucky Central Bridge Early This Morning. The Body Cut Down And Buried Today.

WINCHESTER, Ky., July 16. – Bob Haggard, the Negro who was accused of assaulting Myrtle Elkin, near Ford, Saturday afternoon, details of which were published in THE LEADER yesterday, was taken from the jail early this morning and hanged to the Kentucky Central railroad bridge, east of town. The drop fell at 12:50 a. m.

All day yesterday and last night the town was full of people expecting a mob to arrive about midnight. County Judge Haggard received a telegram from Ford, about ten miles away, warning him of a forming mob at that place, and ordering him to place a strong guard about the jail. Sheriff Hodgkin summoned 100 men and prepared for an attack on the jail.

A little before midnight word came that a mob of 200 men had just arrived at the southern outskirts of the city and were hitching their horses. The electric lights were turned off and the city was in darkness. The Winchester division of the Kentucky State Guards was ordered out to prepare for the attack.

Promptly at 12 o’clock the mob entered every street leading to the jail and marched at the command of a captain like a squad of trained soldiers. Everything was as quiet as death, and not a voice was heard until the command of Sheriff Hodgkin to halt. It had no effect on the angry mob, and the Sheriff and his posse had to retire. The State guards had no ammunition, and could be of no service to the Sheriff, whose posse was entirely inadequate. Judge Haggard made a speech to the mob, who quietly listened, but proceeded to attack the jail as soon as that official had completed his talk.

Jailor Robinson was overpowered and then the keys taken from him, and the Negro’s cell was easily entered. When the mob entered the jail Haggard made a break for liberty, but ran into the bosom of the leader of the mob. After the mob had gained the street with their prisoner, the sheriff’s posse, State guards and hundreds of citizens joined the procession and followed the Negro brute to the point of execution, about four hundred yards from the court house.

Haggard never murmured on the march and only spoke when the leader of the mob asked him if he committed the crime, when he answered in the negative. He was given a few minutes to pray, but was scared so badly that his voice was scarcely audible. The rope, a half inch sea weed, was then quickly adjusted about his neck. His feet and hands were tied with strings made from torn handkerchiefs, and the body was quickly lowered from the bridge.

The dangling form struggled fifteen minutes and life was extinct from the strangulation. Several shots were then fired into his body. The mob was entirely without masks, and many prominent citizens were recognized.

Haggard is a bright mulatto, 19 years old, and was up to this time considered a good Negro.

Miss Elkin was reported last night in a precarious condition and on account of her delicate physical condition may not survive the shock. The mob quietly dispersed, leaving its victim to be viewed by thousands from the city this morning.

BODY CUT DOWN.

It Is Burried in a Field Nearby–No Excitement at Winchester.

WINCHESTER, Ky., July 16. – The body of Bob Haggard, the Negro who was lunched here shortly past midnight last night, was cut down at 1 o’clock this morning, viewed by the Coroner and hurried in a field nearby.

Excitement in Winchester early this morning was at fever heat, but by noon it had subsided. At 3 o’clock this afternoon the subject has almost ceased to be a topic of discussion.

The prevailing opinion seems to be that the mob was justified in its action. No news has been received here as to the Elkin girl’s condition up to 3 p. m.