reporter, arrived on the scene of the execution about 3:30 in the
afternoon. The body was suspended from the first limb of a post oak tree
by a new quarter-inch grass rope. A hangman's knot, evidently tied by an
expert, fitted snugly under the left ear of the corpse, and a new hame
string pinioned the victim's arms behind him. His legs were not tied.
The body was perfectly limber when the Sheriff's posse cut it down and
retained enough heat to warm the feet of Deputy Perkins, whose road cart
was converted into a hearse. On arriving with the body at Forest Hill
the Sheriff made a bargain with a stalwart young man with a blonde
mustache and deep blue eyes, who told the _Scimitar_ reporter that he
was the leader of the mob, to haul the body to Germantown for $3.

When within half-a-mile of Germantown the Sheriff and posse were
overtaken by Squire McDonald of Collierville, who had come down to hold
the inquest. The Squire had his jury with him, and it was agreed for the
convenience of all parties that he should proceed with the corpse to
Germantown and conduct the inquiry as to the cause of death. He did so,
and a verdict of death from hanging by parties unknown was returned in
due form.

The execution of Neal was done deliberately and by the best people of
the Collierville, Germantown and Forest Hill neighborhoods, without
passion or exhibition of anger.

He was arrested on Friday about ten o'clock, by Constable Bob Cash, who
carried him before Mrs. White. She said: "I think he is the man. I am
almost certain of it. If he isn't the man he is exactly like him."

The Negro's coat was torn also, and there were other circumstances
against him. The committee returned and made its report, and the
chairman put the question of guilt or innocence to a vote.

All who thought the proof strong enough to warrant execution were
invited to cross over to the other side of the road. Everybody but four
or five negroes crossed over.

The committee then placed Neal on a mule with his arms tied behind him,
and proceeded to the scene of the crime, followed by the mob. The rope,
with a noose already prepared, was tied to the limb nearest the spot
where the unpardonable sin was committed, and the doomed man's mule was
brought to a standstill beneath it.

Then Neal confessed. He said he was the right man, but denied that he
used force or threats to accomplish his purpose