| Case(s) | |
|---|---|
| Source Type: | Newspaper |
| Author: | n.a. |
| Publisher: | The Selma Times |
| Place of publication: | Selma, AL |
| Date of publication: | 3/26/1907 |
| Transcript: | NEGRO IS LYNCHED; RIDDLED WITH BULLETS. Tied to Tree With Hands Up and Put to Death. — WOMAN WAS SAVED BY CANINE. Would Be Assailant Was Captured, and, After Being Identified by Mrs. Rice, Was Shot to Death Near Her Home. , – Florence. Ala., March 25.—The negro. Cleveland Harding, who attempted to assault Mrs. Ben F. Rice near here Friday, and who was driven off by Mrs. Rice’s shepherd dog, was summarily executed Sunday by his intended victim’s husband and some 200 or 300 sympathizers. Tied to a tree, with his arms up, the negro was riddled with bullets, the first shot being fired by Rice, following which -it is said every man in the crowd emptied his revolver at the prisoner. It is said that over 1.000 shots were fired. The negro was captured half a mile below town, and was taken before Mrs. Rice, who fainted at sight of him. Upon recovering, she fully identified her assailant, on being asked what should be done with him, told the negro’s captors to do as they though best. Harding was taken a short distance from the Rice home, where a conference of the mob leaders was held. Some said burn him, but shooting was decided on. Beyond confessing his guilt the negro had nothing to say, and was stolidly indifferent. It seemed, to his fate. The body was left tied to the tree by the mob, members of which made no attempt to shield their identity. The sheriff overtook the crowd before the lynching, but his appeals were unavailing. |
| Citation: | “Negro Is Lynched; Riddled With Bullets.” The Selma Times (Selma, AL), March 26, 1907. |