“Before the trail had even started, most white citizens had already deemed the accused men guilty beyond all doubt. They wanted to see Reed and Cato convicted and punished swiftly and openly. In fact, more than a week before the trail began, the Satesboro (Ga.) News had printed an editorial calling for a public execution of the “bloody devils who did the terrible crime” on the grounds that” the people not only are anxious to know that these murderers are hanged until they kick out their bloody and criminal existence between heaven and earth, but they want to see the thing done. ”
Although it conceded that such an execution would not “restore one of the unfortunate victims again,” the paper purported that “it will be at least some satisfaction to an outraged people, to see the thing happen.”- LYNCHING AND SPECTACLE, AMY LOUISE WOOD