Then the mob fired two volleys into the line of trembling, wretched and pleading prisoners, and to make sure of their work, placed pistols in the dying men’s faces and emptied the chambers. Citizens who were aroused by the shooting and ran out to investigate the cause were driven to their homes at the point of guns and pistols and then the mob mounted their horses and dashed out of town, back into the woods and home again. None of the mob was recognized, as their faces were completely concealed by masks. The men did their work orderly and coolly and exhibited a determination seldom equaled under similar circumstances. The nine Negroes were tied with ropes and were helpless. The guard was held at the muzzle of guns and threatened with death if a man moved. Then the firing was deliberately done, volley by volley. The Negroes now dead are: Tip Hudson, Bud Cotton, Ed Wynn, Henry Bingham. Fatally shot and now dying: John Bigby. Shot but will recover: John Jameson. Arm broken: George Tatum. Escaped without injury: Ison Brown, Clem Watts. The men who were guarding the Negroes are well known and prominent citizens of Palmetto, and were sworn in only yesterday as a special guard for the night. The commitment trial of the Negroes was set for 9 o’clock this morning. Bud Cotton, who was killed, had confessed to the burning of the stores in Palmetto, and had implicated all the others who had been arrested. The military having been sent by Governor Candler arrived at 10:40 o’clock this morning on a special train under command of Colonel John S. Candler. The Negro population of Palmetto has fled from town and it is believed the Negroes are now congregating on the outskirts and will make an assault upon the town to-night. The place is in the wildest excitement and every citizen is armed, expecting an outbreak as soon as night shall fall. The Negroes left the town in droves early this morning, weeping and screaming and dogged and revengeful. Business has been entirely suspended and Palmetto, formerly a peaceful agricultural village, is running riot with intense excitement and anxiety is expressed by every one. The lives and property of citizens will be protected at any cost, and the white people, while condemning the act of lawlessness of the mob, are determined to meet any attempt the Negroes may make for revenge. It was just past the hour of midnight. The guards were sleepy and tired of the weary watch and the little city of Palmetto was sound asleep, with nothing to disturb the midnight hour or to interrupt the crime that was about to be committed.