NINE NEGROES LYNCHED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9164, 12 August 1908, Page 3

NINE NEGROES LYNCHED.

Two white men murdered, nine megroes lynched, the State militia called out, and racial hatred throughout the whole of the east of Texas at fever heat—such in brief, is the terrible chronicle telegraphed from Houston on June 23rd to the New York newspapers. The outbreak is described as the worst in the history of the State. It began with the murder of Mr Hugh Dean, a prosperous young farmer, who, in defiance of the prohibition laws, purchased a bottle of whisky at a secret "saloon" at the back of a negro church. As he walked down the aisle Mr Dean was ishot dead in sight of the entire conigregation, and the body was afterWards thrown into the street. Six blacks were arrested for the murder. On Saturday, June 20th. Mr Aaron M. Johnson, a farmer, was killed by .a bullet fired through the windows as he was playing with his children. Early next morning a mob of infuriated whites stormed the gaol and took out the six accused negroes. One of thehi attempted to escape. r .,-He was allowed to run two hundred yards, and then fell pierced by more than a score of shots. His five companions were then hanged in a ■row on the nearest tree. The mob dispersed in search of • other victims, and shot three negroes in the streets.