This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Baker, Lucas Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/8535 Message Board Post: Dallas Morning News, 04 Dec 1900, p. 11 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas Old Tragedy Recalled First Burning of a Negro in Texas – A Bell and Milam County Episode Temple Tribune Mrs. Lucas, who has a number of relatives in this community, left last Friday for home in a western county, after a brief visit here. She was a Mrs. John Baker before marrying her present husband and the death of her former husband and the sequel thereto is one of the most notorious in the criminal annals of Texas. About the year 1876, Mr. Baker left his home in Bell county on Little River, to haul a load of freight from Rockdale, then the northern terminus of the International and Great Northern railroad. While returning and near Cameron a negro crept into the wagon behind him and crushed his skull. The country was inflamed at the murder and the negro was caught. It was decided to burn him at the stake, and invitations were sent by runners to the country around and a number of citizens of Bell county who are living today, attended the burning. The victim’s feet were tied to a stump, his arms lashed to a bent-over sapling and a small fire was kindled. For over an hour the poor wretch was thus tortured and literally burned in two. After the agonies had been thus prolonged a portion of the crowd wanted to end his suffering by shooting. This was bitterly opposed by another element and there come nearly being a free-for-all fight. Finally it was agreed that a bigger fire be built and the victim be quickly burned. Even this failed and it seemed that fire would not destroy life. Then the more humane element came to front and fired the shots that ended the misery. The country was greatly wrought up and detectives were sent to secure evidence for prosecutions, but strangers were not tolerated and the detectives quit the chase to save their own lives. This event is still fresh in the memory of many Bell county citizens and it was the forerunner of other similar executions that have given Texas an unsavory reputation.