White, who had two previous arrests, was described as a 24 year old laborer who was 5'9" and weighed 160 pounds. George Segars reported a man of that description running after Helen, who looked like she was rushing home. Two black women also mentioned seeing him walking behind Bishop that morning. That same afternoon, hundreds of people went to Helen Bishops's public funeral, which showcased the grief of the family, especially the mother. On June 21, 1903, a crowd of 3,000 gathered at the Olivet Presbyterian Church to hear Reverend Robert Elwood speak on the topic that he had advertised in the newspaper as "Should the Murderer of Miss Bishop Be Lynched?" Elwood spoke on the importance of quickly resolving the issue, and encouraged officials to take care of it before the citizens were forced to. To further agitate the crowd, Elwood brought out a container full of leaves, supposedly stained in Helen Bishop's blood. The following evening of June 22, several hundred men and boys gathered and marched to the town's workhouse, where White was being held. The plan had been worked out over the past 24 hours. Outnumbering the guards, they stormed their way into the building and forced the guards to take White out of his cell. Many people were injured and the mob caused $400 in damage. They then brought White to Price's Corner, the same place as Helen Bishop's attack. Between 4,000 and 5,000 bystanders showed up to witness White being lynched. Some of the men in the mob tied White to a stake and put straw at his feet. While tied up, White reportedly admitted to the crimes against Bishop. Extra straw was added at his feet and the stake was set on fire. White escaped the ties multiple times, jumping out of the fire only to be pushed back in. The third time he ran out, a member of the mob cut off his right foot, and another hit him in the head with a piece of a fence. When the fire died down, it was reported that many men shot their revolvers into the ashes on the ground. At this time, many onlookers rushed to the stake and picked through the ash to find pieces of bone, cloth, or other items to bring home as souvenirs. His foot and skull were at one point displayed in the window of a store in town. The coroner who went to the site found an alleged note from White, confessing to the crimes. It was covered in the same oil used to start the stake on fire.