The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1856-05-31
Execution Of Sci. Herring at CoIdsboro'.

ENeSutsOu OA SSas nFEI .hS a. eVsue"~sV's
On the 9th inst. pursuant to the Sentence OF
the law, Sol Herring cxpiatcd the crime of
murder the gallows by the forfeiture OF his
life. An immense crowd, estimated at 4,000
ar 5000 were witnesses of the execution: we
regretted to see so many women and .chIldreh
present; but custom is hard task-master
Precisely at 2 o'clock, p m. Sol. was led ont
TO execution. lie had to walk about % or 80
yards from the Jail door to the galiows lie
was dressed in white, and came OFT weeping
and with so,heN What faltering step, gazing
steadily as he advanced, on the fatal gallows
on which he to die. He ascended the
scatfold with evident trcpidaton and deep
emotion; but once up. he recovered his strength.
stood erect and asked to sec several persons
7 nehe of whom were present, saxe the Coroner
JAS Parker, Esq, ns.on, he took M affection
ate farewell Mr. Parker. weeping bitterly. as
did many OF the spectators. While the cap and
moose was being a. uStcd, the Sheriff was deeply
affected. Sol. prayed fervcntiy and Ihtelgently
and sung II am going homc," with clear loud
voice. lie sung also another song, the words
of which we foryct.-He stood on tfc stnTod
some miunt before Sh riff Coor could command
sufficient courage to launch the unfortunate man
into eternity. But it had to be done. The
Sheriff at length advanced with the fatal axe,
sobbiny loudly, while hundreds of the spectators
were bahcd in tears and. while yet the poor
feon calling upon him to bid him hnal
adcu, struck the fatal cord, Sol. Herring was
world where a few months before, without
moments noscc, the spirit of his victim had
fed
Never did we behold more affecting scene,
nor one of the sort more replcte wlth awful
instruction The Sheriff, on cutting the rope,
hastily retired, weeping alond, and few were the
dry checks in that vast assembly. Aswc retired
from the awfnl scene heartily wished that
some dcluded abol;tionist could have been
present, to witness the sympa thcs evinced for
Sol. Herring, though negro and a murderer
! IftbNne.
! We take this occasion to express our disap-
probation of the practice Of executing criminals
iii pnhlc. We do this because we believe no
good reasons can be advanced in defence Of the
practice although many weighty objections can
be urged against it. The demands Of justice
arc satisfied when the fclon has suffered the
punishment due lis crime. The exposure Of
the criminal to- the gaze of the promscuous
throng, constitutes no part ef che Punishment
contemplated by the law. But let rs turn to
the picture presented above. 1000 or 5000
persons assembled to witness the dying struggles
Of human being, as the eXecutioner launches
the soul Of the victim into eternity! u cmen
and children are there to glOat their eyes the
terrible spectacle we say terrible spectacle
why? Because unacustomcd to such
scenes; but let even tender hearted women
become familiar with such exhibitions as the
one in question, ard they may soon be pre-
pared to regard the Xccution of a criminal with
complaeeHey and sort OF holiday affair To
say the least of public executions, they have
u tendency to drmoralize society, and the
sooner the Legislature shall enact that capital
executions shall be performed in Jail yards
where the populatc shall be excluded from
view, the be: ter SO We think.
~~~~~~~~~~~>~->~~~~~>-~
+ Spiccd Vinegar.
In the- winter of ~, while residing in New.
Orleans youth who stood about five feet
eleven inches and three quarters in his stock
lngs, who hailed from somewhere up the
Wabash, was invited by friend to dine at the
same house where was boarding. This the
lIoosier's first trip away from home, as he told
his TREND, who was in the produce business and
had purchased his cargo Of corn AS they took
their scat at the table the youth told his friend
that he expected that he would show him all
the sights Of the town. as he wanted to let all
the folks at home know all about it,
The servant brought him a plate ofsoup, and
observing gentleman opposite put considerable
catsup in his DISH our Hoosier pointed to a
bottle of peppefsaucc and asked what it was
/ 'Spiccd Viuegaf." Was the reply
oval, s'pose you 'bIigc fcllcr by handing it
along"
"Ccrtainly," the answer
The Hoosicr took the bottle and commenced
dousny it into his soup, but sa the sauce did
not flow very freely, he took out the cork at
the time observing to his friend
"kinder close folks yer stoppin' with, to put
such plany9 little hole in that cork, to pre-
vent feller takn much of that 'ere stuff.
Spose it comes high, don't it,"
During the time lie had poured nearly wine
glass full into his soup, and taking his spoon he
dipped it full. together with several peppers
and put it into his mouth. The next instant he
spurted the contents Of his spoon across into a
: French rentleman's bosom, and ba awled--
me some water! Pm all aire!"
"By gar, s7,ir," exclaimed the Frcnchman
in rage. jumping up from the table, 'tyou
have spoiled my shirt, my vest, sair Spoiled
everything sair, BY gar, shall see about this,
sair"
In the meantime The Hoosier had seized q
pitcher containing water, and had taken &
tremendous draught. Setting the pitcher down
he eyed the Frcnchman for a moment, and ther
Yelled
"ped blast your old shirt! Spose wa
going to burn my inards out for you Or you
old shirt? Ion cuss! Come down to the boa
aad Ell give you one Of mine!"
It was with difficulty that the Hooser'
, friend could allay the Frcnehman's rage, an'
. . set matters straight again. But ever after thu
''Spiced vinegar was by-word, and sufcien
to set the whole table in a roar