| Case(s) | |
|---|---|
| Source Type: | Newspaper |
| Author: | n.a. |
| Publisher: | Mobile Daily News |
| Place of publication: | Mobile, AL |
| Date of publication: | 6/25/1895 |
| Transcript: | From the civilized eastern shore of Baldwin county comes a story of brutality which is worthy of Russia itself. Few nights ago the residence of J. M. Railey, manager of the hotel, was robbed of a gold watch and several articles of jewelry. Suspicion fell upon Thomas Parker, a negro, who had worked at the hotel and Saturday he arrested. The officer that made the arrest, so it is alleged was deputy Sheriff Morris Stapleton, assisted by another man, whose name is at this time unknown. It is stated that the officers let the prisoners aloose, but he was found hanging to a tree in the woods between Point Clear and Daphne and subsequently carried to jail. When found he was in a terribly mutilated condition, his neck being swolen to twice its original size and his body bore other evidence of maltreatment. Sunday the negro took a turn for the worse and Judge of Probate Charles Hall, telegraphed to Dr. W. J. Lea. The physician went over the bay yesterday afternoon and upon his arrival at the Daphne jail found the negro in a comnatose condition. By the use of powerful restoratives the negro revived and told the doctor a story similar to one he had made to Judge Hall which statement was swoen to. To Judge Hall the negro said in substance that he was arrested by the two young men and was started to Daphne. The trio had not gone very far before the young men tried to extort a confession from the accuded. He refused to own up and a rope was placed around his neck and he was swung up. In a minute or two he was let down and another request for a confession was made. Again Parker was strung up, a pistol was fired in close proximity to his face. He was again let down, kicked, beaten and otherwise horribly maltreated. When he was strung up the third time he motioned to his torturers that he would confess and when let down told them where the property could be found. It is stated that the valuabled have since been recovered. Notwithstanding the fact that this outrage occurred two or three days ago there has been no arrest, the reason being that the sheriff was absent from the county. When Dr. Lea left the unfortunate man this morning there was no improvement in his condition. The physician says that the negro has probably been fatally injured. It is also stated that the two young men guilty of this ourtrage are now in Mobile. When the NEWS reporter started out in search of the names of the guilty culprits, and knowing there were numerous citizens, who were cognizant of the facts in the case, the newspaper man was invariably warned that it would be “healthy” for him to let the item alone, one or wo going so far as to say he would get into trouble. Whenever the DAILY NEWS finds that it cannot publish legitimate news it will go out of business. |
| Citation: | “Tortured |