Earl Thompson, 1910 January 7

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THOMPSON, Bar La FO

Thompson, a 17-year-old black youth, lived at Dryridge, Grant Co.,
Kye In November, 1909, he raped Mrs. Mattie Roberts, a white matron,
He was arrested shortly afterwards and, as an attempt was made to
lynch him then, he was taken by train the lexington for safekeeping.
He was returned to Williamstown on December 7 to stand traal and ahen
a mobk& met the train at the Station, it was only with the greatest
difficulty that the Sheriff managed to get his prisoner to the court
housee The mob did not disperse and, after the trial had actually
started, it over ran the court room and one of its members lunged

at Thompson with a knife, It finally fispersed when the judge made

a plea that the law be allowed to take its course and promised that,
if Thompson was mxmmnk convicted, he would be hanged within thirty
days and that he would be kept in the jail at Williamstown until that
time. Thompson entered a plea of guilty but he was convicted and y
true to his promise, the judge sentenced him to be hanged on January
7, 1910, No appeal was taken and prior to the date set for his execu-
tion, Thompson confessed that he was guilty. The execution took p
place on schedule,

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, Birmingham, Ala,, Dec. 7, 1909; Jan, 7, 1910

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THOMPSON, Earl CL ®

Thompson, a 17-year-old black youth, lived at Dryridge, Grant Cos;
Kye In November, 1909, he raped Mrs. Mattie Roberts » 4 white matron,
He was arrested shortly afterwards and, as an attempt was made to
lynch him then, he was taken by train the lexington for safekeeping.
He was returned to Williamstown on December 7 to stand traéa1 and when
a mobk& met the train at the Station, it was only with the greatest
difficulty that the Sheriff managed to get his prisoner to the court
housee ‘The mob did not disperse and, after the trial had actually
started, it over ran the court room and one of its members lunged

at Thompson with a knife, It f inally &ispersed when the judge made

a plea that the law be allowed to take its course and promised that,
if Thompson was mxmsork convicted, he would be hanged within thirty
days and that he would be kept in the jail at Williamstown until that
time. Thompson entered a plea of guilty but he was convicted and A
true to his promise » the judge sentenced him to be hanged on January
7, 1910. No appeal was taken and prior to the date set for his execu-|
tion, Thompson confessed that he was guilty. The execution took x
place on schedule,

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, Birmingham, Ala,, Dec. 7, 1909; Jan. 7, 1910

— (aarhecetig: 000 ~ fpgece-

)

THOMPSON, Zar (-7IH/O

Thompson, a 17-year-old black youth, lived at Dryridge, Grant Cos,

Kye In November, 1909, he raped Mrs, Mattie Roberts, a white matron,

He was arrested shortly afterwards and, as an attempt was made to

dynch him then, he was taken by train the Lexington for safekeeping.

He was returned to Williamstown on December 7 to stand traal and ahen
the train at the station, it was only with the greatest

difficulty that the Sheriff managed to get his prisoner to the court

house. The mob did not disperse and,

started, it over ran the court roon

at Thompson with a knife,

if Thompson was sack
days and that he would

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, Birmingham, Ala,, Dec. 7, 1909; Jan, 7, 1910

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