Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, April 25, 1899.
BODY WAS NOT BURNED.
Lige Strickland Was Only Hanged by the Mob.
MORE DETAILS OF THE AFFAIR.
A Desperate Effort Was Made on the Part of His Employers to Save His Life—Major Thomas Ordered to Leave Town, but the Order Was Not Complied With.
PALMETTO, Ga., April 25.—The body of Lige Strickland, a negro preacher, who was implicated in the Cranford murder by Sam Hose, was found swinging to the limb of a persimmon tree within a mile and a quarter of this place. Before death was allowed to end his sufferings, his ears were cut off and the small finger of his left hand was severed at the second joint. These trophies were in Palmetto later.
On the chest of the negro was a piece of bloodstained paper attached by an ordinary pin. On the one side of this paper was written:
"New York Journal—We must protect our ladies—23—'99."
The other side of the paper contained a warning to the negroes of the neighborhood. It read:
"Beware, all darkies. You will be treated the same way."
Before being lynched Strickland was given a chance to confess to the misdeeds of which the mob supposed him to be guilty, but he protested his innocence to the last. Three times the noose was placed around his neck and the negro was drawn up off the ground; three times he was let down with a warning that death was in store for him should he fail to confess his complicity in the Cranford murder; three times Strickland proclaimed his innocence until weary of useless torturing the mob pulled on the rope and tied the end around the slender trunk of the persimmon tree. Not a shot was fired. Strickland was strangled to death.
The lynching of Lige Strickland was not accomplished without a desperate effort on the part of his employer to save his life. The man who pleaded for him is Major W. W. Thomas, an ex-state senator and one of the most distinguished citizens of Coweta county. He did all in his power to prevent the lynching of the negro and did not discontinue his efforts until he had been assured by the leaders of the mob that the negro would be taken to jail at Fairburn.
One mile from the spot where this promise was made Lige Strickland was hanged. The negro was a tenant on the plantation of Major Thomas. When Sam Hose, the murderer of Alfred Cranford and the assailant of his wife, made his confession immediately prior to his burning, he implicated Lige Strickland, Hose contending that he had been offered money by Strickland to kill Cranford. It was known positively, however, that Hose had made false statements in his last confession, and many of those who aided in his burning were disposed to disregard his statement in regard to Strickland.
Last Sunday night about 15 men went to the plantation of Major Thomas and took Strickland from his little cabin in the wood, left his wife and five children to wait and weep over the fate they knew was in store for the negro. Their cries aroused Major Thomas and that sturdy old gentleman followed the lynchers in his buggy, accompanied by his son, William Thomas, determined to save, if possible, the life of his plantation darkey.
They overtook the lynchers with their victim at Palmetto and then ensued, with only the moonlight to brighten the faces of these grim men, a weird and dramatic scene.
Lige Strickland was halted directly opposite the telegraph office. The noose was adjusted around his neck, and the end of the rope was thrown over a tree. Strickland was told he had a chance before dying to confess his complicity in the crime. He replied:
"I have told you all I know, gentlemen. You can kill me if you wish, but I know nothing to tell."
The negro's life might have been ended then but for the arrival of Major Thomas, who leaped from his buggy and asked for a hearing. He asked the crowd to give the negro a chance for his life, and said:
"Gentlemen, this negro is innocent. Hose said Lige had promised to give him $20 to kill Alfred Cranford, and I don't believe Lige had $20 since he has been on my place. He has never done any of you any harm. I want you to promise me that you will turn him over to the bailiff of this town, that he may be given a hearing. I do not ask you to liberate him. Hold him for the courts."
The mob replied that Strickland had inflamed the negroes in the neighborhood and had a bad reputation, having run away from East Point several years ago.
Major Thomas reminded them that the negro had voluntarily told of having seen Hose on the night of the murder. One of the mob replied that Strickland had done this in the cunningness of his guilt to establish his own innocence.
There were some, however, who agreed with Major Thomas, and after a discussion, a vote was taken which was supposed to mean life or death to Lige Strickland. The vote to let him live was unanimous.
Major Thomas then retired some distance and the mob was preparing to send Strickland in a wagon to Newnan, when a member of the mob cried out:
"We have got him here; let's keep him."
This aroused the mob and a messenger was sent to advise Major Thomas to leave Palmetto for his own good, but the old gentleman was not frightened. He drew himself up and said emphatically:
"I have never been before ordered to leave a town, and I am not going to leave this one."
And then the major, uplifting his hand to give his words force, said to the messenger:
"Tell them the muscles in my legs are not trained to running; tell them I have stood the fire and heard the whistle of bullets from a thousand Yankee rifles, and I am not frightened by this crowd."
Major Thomas was not molested. Then with the understanding that Lige Strickland was to be delivered to the jailer at Fairburn, Major Thomas saw the negro he had pleaded for led off to his death.
A coroner's jury held an inquest over the body and rendered the usual verdict—death at the hands of parties unknown.
Another mob is hunting the county for Arthur Sewell who has made himself obnoxious by remarks concerning the treatment given the negroes by the whites. There is not much prospect of his capture, however, as he has had a day's start of his pursuers.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Lynchers to be Tried Again.
The trial of the Lake City lynchers at Charleston, S. C., ended Saturday in a disagreement of the jury.
The chief witness for the government was Joseph P. Newham, one of the mob which set fire to the house and office of Baker, the negro postmaster, and shot him and his infant child dead, and wounded Mrs. Baker and two other children as the family emerged from the burning building. Newham turned state's evidence, as did also another member of the mob, Early Lee, but the latter for some reason was disqualified. Newham swore that he and Lee set fire to Baker's house. He identified eight of the prisoners as members of a party which had met at a store and planned the lynching, and as also among those who murdered the negro postmaster. Newham's testimony was corroborated by other witnesses. The government consented to a verdict of not guilty against three of those indicted, all of them members of the Second South Carolina volunteers, the evidence against them being considered insufficient. Counsel for the remaining eight tried to prove alibis. The government showed, however, that entries in a doctor's book purporting to give their whereabouts on the night of the lynching had been altered. Other evidence by the defense was proved to have been manufactured.
While delivering the charge to the jury Judge Brawley shed tears when he referred to the horror of the crime, the outrage of the law, and the shame incurred by the people of Lake City.
It is understood that at one time during the deliberations of the jury seven members were in favor of a verdict of guilty, with the punishment fixed at life imprisonment, On the final ballot, however, there were only five for conviction, but these were the most prominent citizens on the jury.
Although the trial has ended in a disagreement of the jury, much has been gained for justice, humanity and civilization. Never before has it happened in South Carolina, or anywhere else in the South, that alleged lynchers failed to be promptly acquitted when called to account in the courts. As a rule there have been even no indictments. Those eight murderers will have to stand trial again at the next term of court. As it is not likely that a jury will ever be secured that will acquit, and as another disagreement will be followed by another trial, the continual worry to which the lynchers will be subjected will be some punishment for their crime, and their experience may have a deterrent effect upon others. Pending the next trial, it of course behooves the government to safeguard its witnesses.
In this connection it may be noted that the supreme court of South Carolina has sustained the constitutionality of the law which allows the heirs of a person who is lynched to recover $2,000 from the county in which the lynching takes place. This may also help to check the cowardly and brutal practice.
New York School Teachers.
ALBANY, April 25.—Governor Roosevelt to-day signed the bill of Senator Ahearn increasing the salaries of the public school teachers of New York City.
SIDEPATH NOTES.
Effort to Keep Teams off the Path to McGraw Almost in Sight.
The [bicycle] sidepath commission is having difficulty in keeping teams off the new path just built between Cortland and Homer near the railroad crossing. One team in particular has been seen on there four times since a warning was first given to the driver, and the driver has been warned several times. In consequence, Sheriff Brainard has appointed J. J. Moore, the flagman at the crossing, a deputy sheriff with full power to make arrests. The commissioners authorize us to say that hereafter there will be but one warning, and a repetition of the offense will mean an arrest. The fine is $25. Drivers will do well to observe the law.
The Corset City wheelmen have already raised $169.50 of the $200 necessary to build a path from Cortland. If the rest is raised this week as is expected, the building will probably begin next week.
Town of Cuyler.
CUYLER, April 24.—J. H. Pool, attorney of DeRuyter, was in the village last week on legal business.
Elmer Porter and Miss Batholomew were quietly married last Wednesday at the bride's parents by Rev. Mr. Andrews of the M. E. church.
In the lawsuit of Patrick Gleason against Moses Isaacs judgment was rendered against the defendant.
Dr. Coon of DeRuyter was in the village last week to see Mrs. Abel Spicer, who is not expected to live.
At Lee Brothers' auction sale of thirty cows last week near Syracuse the cows averaged $47.70 per head.
Will Hinds has sold his hay to Bridge & Co. of Canastota for $4.50 per ton.
Fifteen thousand pounds of milk is being received at the creamery now with prospects of much more soon.
Elder Andrews of the M. E. church delivered a very appropriate and instructive discourse to the Odd Fellows last Sunday evening.
Hon. B. F. Lee was in the western part of the state last week buying cows.
O. R. Barber was in Cortland last week.
Matie Schermerhorn has engaged to work for Hon. H. P. Andrews' family of Cassenovia.
O. R. Barber and wife and L. S. Barber were in Cortland last Wednesday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Frank Phillips.
Business called Esq. Albro to Cortland last week.
Cuyler Hill.
CUYLER HILL, April 24.—Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Garner visited their daughter, Mrs. Fred Randall of East Homer, Thursday.
Mrs. John Phillips is visiting friends on the hill.
Our factory starts the summer operations to-day.
Mrs. Rose Burdick begins her school in the Merchant district to-day.
Sugaring is now over and about two-thirds as much made as usual.
The snowbanks are now mostly gone and one can see the roadbed in most places but are liable to get mired without a guide.
Michigan Hill, Town of Harford.
MICHIGAN HILL, HARFORD, April 24.—Mrs. Emma Seamons of Harford Mills was a guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. Ruscher, on Thursday last.
Mrs. Rena Brink and daughter Gladys of Harford Mills spent Thursday at the home of her uncle Mr. P. N. Decker.
Mrs. Edith Rockerfeller was a recent guest of her parents in Dryden.
Mrs. Ella Beckwith of McLean is spending some time with her parents Mr. and Mrs. E. Duntz. Mr. Beckwith is expected later.
Born, April 18, to Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Decker a daughter, Norma, weight 8 pounds and 2 ounces. Mrs. C. E. Joyner of Hunt Corners is caring for mother and daughter. On Friday Mrs. Decker was decidedly worse and Dr. White of Harford was summoned. She is thought to be slightly improved at present writing.
Good Trout Fishing.
Stories of fine catches of trout keep accumulating, the season seeming to be an exceptionally good one. Yesterday Clarence K. Brown picked fourteen pretty speckled beauties from a creek in the town of Solon in a few hours. This morning Fred Dickinson of Woodruff-st. stood on Otter creek bridge on Groton-ave. and in less than thirty minutes caught three good sized trout.
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| Larger segment of 1894 map of Cortland showing Randall fields or lots east of former Quonset-styled armory building. |
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| Segment of 1894 map. Baseball athletic field was located behind (east) the former armory building on South Main Street. It is the last building lower right in this map segment. See the Randall fields on the larger map above. |
DIAMOND GOSSIP.
Cortland's New Baseball Grounds the Talk of the Town.
Wherever you find on the street corners of Cortland a group of men who ever saw a ball game engaged in earnest conversation, you are pretty safe in wagering that they are talking baseball and probably also the new Athletic field. It is very sure that the attendance is going to be very much better than ever before in Cortland. The few residents of the town who have not been in the habit of going to ball games are planning for this season. The ordinary capacity of the grandstand now being built is 450, but it will hold 600 if the crowd is a good natured one. There is plenty of room for an addition to the stand when it becomes necessary. Manager Ramsey spent yesterday afternoon in picking stones from the diamond which had been plowed. He was assisted by about thirty boys. Lumber for the stand and fence is being drawn to-day, and it is expected that the stand will be done by Friday night. The whole field will be in shape for the opening of the season May 5 in an exhibition with Hobart college.
In Schenectady the baseball association has hit upon a plan which it believes will do much toward preventing a lot of people from seeing games for nothing. With every ticket sold at the gate there will be a coupon, which the purchaser will keep in a conspicuous place. The coupon will show the police that the owner has paid and those who have not one in their possession will be removed from the grounds.
Hank Ramsey expects that his Cortland team will take the lead the first week of the season and carry it to the end.—Schenectady Union.
That's the right kind of an expectation.
Schenectady bids fair to be one of the best towns in the State league. The people are becoming enthusiastic, and baseball is the whole thing in the Electric city. In 1895 Schenectady was a member of the State league, and at a morning game on July 4 drew a crowd of 4,000 people to the park.
The Albany Argus says: "Schenectady has waived all claim to the pennant. Albany hasn't claimed It yet, as it will content itself with beating out all clubs who consider the flag cinched by them." Up this way we will be quite content if we can give the first division clubs a hustle for their money.
Albany and Schenectady are developing a rivalry of the most torrid kind. Cortland and Binghamton are getting stirred up in the same way. The Binghamtonians have a good team, but they have not yet seen Ramsey's aggregation.
Village Board Meeting To-night.
The board of village trustees will hold unimportant meeting this evening at the office of the village clerk to consider further the street lighting question. C. D. Simpson of the Cortland & Homer Traction Co. has promised to be present to talk about the differences between the village and the company. It is possible that it new contract for street lighting will be made with the company. And it is also possible that a contract may be made with either the Welsbach Street Lighting company of America or the Union Electric Co. Bids are expected from each of these companies.
Notice.
Owners and agents of property in the village of Cortland, N. Y., are hereby ordered to have removed from their premises all ash, garbage and manure piles, also to have privy vaults, drains and cesspools cleared and put in proper sanitary condition on or before the 15th day of May, 1899.
All persons engaged in cleaning privy vaults and cesspools must register with the health officer at once.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE VILLAGE OF CORTLAND, N. Y., April 17, 1899.
More Help Wanted.
A thrifty and rapidly growing establishment in Cortland is the Gillette Skirt company located in the Wells block on Clinton-ave. The works have been more than busy during the spring months and several new machines have been added. It has been necessary to run the works over time to keep up with orders and the proprietor finds it necessary to add several new lady operators at once. Any one desiring work can probably find employment by calling at the office of the company.
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| SS Zealandia. |
McGRAW.
Breezy Items of Corset City Chat.
The following is from our army reporter:
ON BOAHD TRANSPORT S.S. ZEALANDIA, HONOLULU, HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
April 6, 1899, 6 P. M.
We left San Francisco Tuesday, March 28, 5 P. M. Had a very pleasant voyage and most of us have enjoyed it thus far. March 31 we had quite a heavy gale, the ship rolling over on her side so that the waves washed over the lower decks at times, causing some of us to think of the good old land and friends that were left behind. During the first two days most of the boys were awfully sea sick, but I have thus far escaped, am feeling fine, never better and enjoying myself.
We arrived here yesterday morning at 6 o'clock and anchored about 300 yards from shore. I was all over the place yesterday and had a fine time. It is one of the nicest cities I have been in. Sixty thousand inhabitants, about two-thirds of whom are Japanese, Chinese and natives. It is situated at the foot of the mountain and is really a beautiful place. I went about four miles out to the park and down to the beach. Had a delightful bath. We could see from the car, large rice and banana fields, cocoanut, orange and lemon trees and all other kinds of tropical fruits and flowers that grow in this climate. We visited the U. S. garrison at the fort here.
The transport City of Puebla, upon which Frank Oliver is, arrived here last Friday and left for Manila this afternoon with the bands playing. We are taking on coal and water, the natives working over time so that we can be ready to leave Saturday. It is twenty days' sail from here to Manila, so we expect to arrive there about May 1. Were seven days sailing from Frisco and sighted one small sailing vessel on the way.
The Zealandia is a fine steamer 460 feet long and 40 wide making about 12 knots an hour. It is a fine harbor here, but dangerous for large vessels to enter. We lay outside for three hours waiting for a pilot. The harbor is full of vessels from all parts of the world as it is a large coaling station. A large Japanese man-of-war built in San Francisco left for Japan yesterday. Company D is quartered midship below the water line and it is so hot I have slept on the hurricane deck for seven nights and awoke this morning drowned out. Was in my shirt sleeves to-day and then thought I would roast, but expect to see hotter weather in the Philippines. We are not to get our light clothing until we reach Manila. Expect to melt with heavy clothing on when we reach the equator.
I was sitting on bow of the boat, the third day out. It was quite rough and the ship drove into a big wave and I came near being a man overboard. Haven't been up there since when it was rough.
CHARLES VERNON PORTER, Company D, Ninth Infantry, U. S. A.
BREVITIES.
—The Ladies' Literary club will meet to-morrow afternoon with Mrs. F. W. Higgins, 61 Lincoln-ave.
—Robert Ellis Jones, LL. D., president of Hobart college, will deliver the address before the graduating class of the Normal at the next commencement, June 23.
—The Rochester Eastern league baseball team passed through Cortland this morning from Syracuse to Binghamton, where they play the Binghamton State leaguers this afternoon.
—The Fortnightly club will meet with Mrs. George P. Hollenbeck, 10 Church-st., to-morrow afternoon instead of with Miss McGraw as previously announced. Members will note the change.
—The will of Fannie D. Shevalier, late of this city, was yesterday admitted to probate in surrogate's court, and letters testamentary were issued to Mary S. Lathrop.—Binghamton Republican.
—Only about 200 seats for Richard Mansfield in "Cyrano de Bergerac" at Ithaca Thursday night remained unsold in the entire Lyceum theatre after the opening rush for seats Monday morning.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Baker & Angell, Jenness Miller shoes, page 7; Model Clothing Co., Dress suits, page 4; D. McCarthy & Sons, Shirt waists and petticoats, page 4; M. A. Case, Shirt waists, page 8; McGraw & Osgood, Fine shoes, page 5.
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