<div class="documentdisplayleftpanesectiontextheader"> <div><a class="helplink" href="/?a=p&p=help&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1#whyocrerrors">Why may this text contain mistakes?</a></div> <div><a href="/?a=tc&d=SFC19010821.2.3&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1">Correct this text</a></div> <div class="textcorrectcontributors">Contributors: phoenixinline</div> </div> <p>PIERCE CITY MOB DRIVES OUT NEGROES</p><p>Slaying of Three Men a Result of Girl's Murder.</p><p>Real Culprit, However, Seems to Have Escaped the Avengers.</p><p>Mob of a Thousand Enraged Missourians Burns Settlement Occupied by Colored People.</p><p>SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Aug. 20.— After all the conflicting; stories from Pierce Cityhave been sifted it develops that three negroes lost their lives there as a result of the murder of Caseila Wild. The dead:</p><p>: WILLIAM GODLEY, hanged from the porch of the Lawrence Hotel and his body riddled with bullets. . . . FRENCH GODLEY, grandfather of William Godley, shot in his own house. PETE HAMPTON, burned in his own house, but probably shot before the fire.</p><p>Eugene Barrett, also .known as Carter, In a confession while a rope was around his neck, accused Joe Lark, a Frisco porter, of being implicated in the crime, and Lark was arrested to-day in this city. This afternoon he gave a detailed statement as to his whereabouts Sunday, and he is believed to be not guilty. Some here think that Barrett told any story in order to save his life. '•'¦¦ ~ "-'>?;</p><p>The funeral of Miss "Wild took place today and was witnessed by. several thousand people. •• „.: ¦; .''.'.. .</p><p>Armed Men Bent on Bloodshed.</p><p>Pierce City Is near the junction of four divisions" of the Frisco ', and trains from all directions brought- in ; large numbers of armed men bent on bloodshed if necessary. When the mob last- night went to the section of the city, occupied by the negroes some one in the cabins opened fire, but no one ! was hit. ,' The mob then destroyed the settlement, ¦ but the finan-cial-loss is not great. ' • .Reckless firing broke several, plate glass windows and a train was fired into. The rifles were taken from the Pierce City military barracks, but it Is expected they will all be returned.* .Members : of the .company • themselves were out hunting for . the escaping negroes with rifles, and this suggested the idea of taking all the guns. The local hardware stores sold out their arms early, but several applications from negroes were refused. The mob was composed of a thousand or more and no masks were used.</p><p>Thirty negro . families were driven from their houses. Many of the negroes who fled to the city ere hiding in the surrounding woods, while others have gone greater distances in seeking safety.</p><p>Real Culprit Not Lynched.</p><p>It is now believed that Will Godley, who was lynched, was not the real culprit. Citizens say that negroes will not be permitted to live here in the future and that the few negroes not already expelled will be obliged to go.</p><p>The cause of all the bloodshed was the killing of Miss Caseila Wild Sunday afternoon as she was returning to her home, one mile in the country, after attending church in town. She started home alone, her brother lingering behind. About one mile from town the brother found; her with her throat cut, lying lifeless near a culvert, under which her assailant had attempted to drag her. Evidence of a terrible struggle was shown. A copper colored negro was seen sitting on the bridge a short time before the tragedy occurred. It is, supposed that the negro sprang upon her when she was passing and attempted to force her beneath the bridge. She fought with such desperation that he could not accomplish his purpose and he cut her throat in the struggle. Her body was not violated.</p><p>On Monday bloodhounds were taken to the scene and the girl's bloody handkerchief was laid before them. They immediately caught the trail and ran with full speed to the home of Joe Lark, where, on being, admitted, .they rushed into the bedroom and sprang upon the bed.</p>