Submitted by Sloan Mason Charlotte Daily Observer July 23, 1904 Lynching Narrowly Averted Father of Duplin County girl reported to have cut rope with which neighbors intended hanging the man whom, it is alleged, attempted to assault her-The affair creates much excitement. Special to the Observer, Goldsboro, July 20- A report confirmed by 'phone message, the details of which are meagre, is current hero this afternoon to the effect that Emmett Herring, a merchant of Faison, a young white man, last night attempted criminal assault upon a Miss Swinson, a young white woman of the same county, and narrowly escaped lynching by enraged citizens. Miss Swinson lives with her parents, about eight miles from Faison. Last night young Herring with a lightning rod, drove over to the home of the Swinson's, and in some manner, it is alleged, induced Miss Swinson out of her home and attempted the infamous act. It is further alleged that Miss Swinson heroically resisted, tearing Herring's shirt into ribbons before her alarm was heard, and her people came to her rescue. Later the friends of the family collected, put a rope around Herring's neck, and swung him up to a convenient tree, but her father immediately cut himdown with the request that the law be allowed to take its course. Thereupon, Herring was turned over to the officers of the law to await a preliminary hearing to-day at Friendship church. Judge Robinson and W.T. Dorich?, attorneys of this city, were wired for and will appear at the trial for the defense. Emmett Herring is a son of Barney Herring, formerly a police officer of this city. Miss Swinson is a daughter of Erastus Swinson, a prominent farmer and citizen of Duplin county. Both families are prominent, and have a wide circle of relatives, some of whom reside in this city. |