Lynching Narrowly Averted



    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.
    
    

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