“Notwithstanding his conviction, it was believed by some that the negro was innocent.  Those who believed him innocent, in a spirit of mercy, undertook a short time since to procure his pardon; and a petition to that effect was circulated among our citizens and, we believe, very numerously signed.  This we think was a great error....  It is dangerous for the people to undertake to meddle with the majesty of the jury trial; and strange as it may sound to some people, we regard the unfortunate denouement of this case as but the extreme exemplification of the very principle which actuated those who originated this petition.  Each proceeded from a spirit of discontent with the decisions of the authorized tribunals; the difference being that in the one case peaceful means were used for the accomplishment of mistaken mercy, and in the other violence was resorted to for the attainment of mistaken justice.

“The petition was sent to Governor Towns, and on Monday evening last the messenger returned with a full and free pardon to the criminal.  In the meantime the people had begun to flock in from the country to witness the execution; and when it was announced that a pardon had been received, the excitement which immediately pervaded the streets was indescribable.  Monday night passed without any important demonstration.  Tuesday morning the crowd in the streets increased, and the excitement with it.  A large and excited multitude gathered early in the morning at the market house, and after numerous violent harangues a leader was chosen, and resolutions passed to the effect that the mob should demand the prisoner at four o’clock in the afternoon, and if he should not be given up he was to be taken by force and executed.  After this decision the mob dispersed, and early in the afternoon, upon the ringing of the market bell, it reassembled and proceeded to the jail.  The sheriff of the county of course refused to surrender the negro, when he was overpowered, the prison doors broken open, and the unfortunate culprit dragged forth and hung.

“These are the facts, briefly and we believe accurately, stated.  We do not feel now inclined to comment upon them.  We leave them to the public, praying in behalf of our injured community all the charity which can be extended to an act so outraging, so unpardonable.”

A similar occurrence in Sumter County, Alabama, in 1855 was reported with no expression of regret.  A negro who had raped and murdered a young girl there was brought before the superior court in regular session.  “When the case was called for trial a motion for change of venue to the county of Greene was granted.  This so exasperated the citizens of Sumter (many of whom were in favor of summary punishment in the outset) that a large number of them collected on the 23d. ult., took him out of prison, chained him to a stake on the very spot where the murder was committed, and in the presence of two or three thousand negroes and