Bumpus (Bumpass), The Courier Journal, August 31, 1904

                 VENGEANCE

Meted Out to Negro By Hickman Mob.

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DRAGGED FROM JAIL TO RIVER. 

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ROCK TIED TO HIS BODY AND THROWN INTO WATER. 

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ASSAULT ON GIRL CHARGED.

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Hickman, KY., Aug. 30.--[Special.]--About 12:30 this morning a mob composed of 100 men from the country came in town and went direct to the jail, where they told Jailer Noonan they had a prisoner. The Jailer coming to the door, was at once covered with guns, many men grabbing him, saying they wanted the negro Joe Bumpass. They then went below, where the keys were taken from the Jailer and the negro was taken out. A rope was at once placed around his neck and he was taken up the back street to the river, where he was thrown into it with a rock around his neck. The mob then disappeared and went quietly home. The crime for which the negro paid his penalty last night was the attempt to commit a criminal assault on Topsy Clay, a girl about eighteen, living on Will Hawkins’ place, eight miles east of town. She was the daughter of the late Nick Clay, who was one of the most highly respected farmers of the community. 

The girl left her home to go to Mr. Kimberlin’s, across the field, after some tomatoes. On her way back she was attacked by the negro, who was finally frightened away by the screams of the girl. The negro then went back to the hay baler where he was at work and later fled. Mrs. Hawkins, the next day, sent word to her husband, who was at once came home and, with others, started in pursuit of the negro, who was finally caught in Hickman county. When caught he denied his crime to the last and was brought here and put in jail.