Will Priest, an elder brother of Susie threw the rope over a limb of a tree. After asking if Clark had any last words to say, Priest slapped the horse on its side leaving the accused hanging by the neck. As if hanging itself was not enough the young Priest grabbed a gun and began firing at the dead body swinging softly in the breeze. This served as a signal for others in the mob who immediately began firing their guns also. A witness later reported that over 150 shots were fired at Clark's body within a matter of minutes.