| Case(s) | |
|---|---|
| Source Type: | Newspaper |
| Author: | n.a. |
| Publisher: | The Post-Standard |
| Place of publication: | Syracuse, NY |
| Date of publication: | 3/25/1907 |
| Transcript: | NEGRO, TIED, IS MADE A TARGET. Lashed to Tree, Man Is Riddled With Bullets. THOUSAND SHOTS ARE FIRED. Husband of Woman He Attempted to Assault Plants First Bullet. Driven Off in Attack by Dog. Florence. Ala.. March 24 — Cleveland Harding, the negro who attempted to assault Mrs. Ben. F. Rice, near here on Friday, and who was driven off by Mrs. Rice’s shepherd dog. was summarily executed today by a mob of 200 or 300 persons. After having been tied to a tree with his arms up the negro was riddled with bullets. The first shot, it is said, being fired by Rice, following which every man in the crowd emptied his revolver at the prisoner. Over 1,000 shots were fired. The negro was captured today near town and was taken before Mrs. Rice, who fainted at sight of him. Upon recovering she fully identified her assailant, and on being asked what should be done with him, told the negro’s captors to do as they thought best. Harding was taken a short distance from the Rice home. where a conference of the mob leaders was held some persons favored burning him, but shooting was decided on. Beyond confessing his guilt, the negro had nothing to say and seemed indifferent to his fate. His body was left tied to the tree by the mob, the 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, Tied, Is Made A Target.” The Post Standard (Syracuse, NY), March 25, 1907. |