Riddled With Bullets

Case(s)
Source Type: Newspaper
Author: n.a.
Publisher: St. Joseph News-Press
Place of publication: St. Joseph, MO
Date of publication: 3/25/1907
Transcript:

LYNCHING IN ALABAMA. Negro Victim of the Mob Is Tied to a Tree and 1,000 Bullets Fired Into Him. Florence, Ala., March 25, A negro named Cleveland Harding who attempted to rape Mrs. Ben Rice near here Friday, and who was driven off by Mrs. Rice’s shepherd dog, has been lynched 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 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 the 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. There was talk of burning alive, but shooting to death was decided upon.

Citation:

“Lynching in Alabama.” St. Joseph Daily Press (St. Joseph, MO), March 25, 2020.