Smyrna times., 1860-12-20
CORRESPONDENC nee.
EXECUTION OF THE NEGROES,
John, Levi and Sarah!
AT GEORGETOWN, FRIDAY, 14TH INST

Mn EDITOR This being the day hXed ny
ths Court tor the execution OF John Cannon (n.)
for the murder of Miss Griffith, Levi jenkins
lnA for rape on negro girl, and the girl Sarah
(uA for the murder by, poison of the child of
Dir. WIN. Wright, Of Cannon's Ferry, at an
early hour the people from the surrounding
country began to flock into the town until
about noon, when there was probably some
two or three thousand persons assembled.
The day was raw and cold, but the sun shOne
brightly, as though looking in approval at the
event then so shortly to transpire, and by
which three human beings were to be hurried,
in full health, and in the very hey day of life,
into eternity.
Sheriff Jones, who, by the way, is gentle
man in every respect, and man OF nerve, had
his arrangements perfect. Early in the morn
ing he had all the doors leading inlo the prison
and its yard securely fastened, and eetach-
ment of the Sussex Guards posted around the
entire enclosure, thereby ettectualiy prevent
ing the interference of the vast crowd, all
anxious to wit1ess the terrible tragedy. The
scaffold was erected in the yard, in the rear of
the Jail. 1t was composed of the usual two
perpendicular pieces of timber, SIX inches
square, with a transverse piece of the same
size secured above aud below with braces,
about twelve feet apart and fourteen feet
high. Theupper or transverse beam had, al
equal distances fixed entirely through the
wood, three stout iron hooks, upon which to
hang the ropes. The platform was simple,
and at the same time pertect-nothlng more
than kind of sable, with one leaf, which con-
stituted the drop, extending from the rear wall
of the jail to the gallows, about seven
feet high, and upon which was pi9c d rough
bench. The drop was supported by stout
piece of hemlock scantling in the centre,
which constituted the prop, to which waa
attached near the top a rope by which
to pull it. when the proper time arrived,
from the ground to the platform. This whole
arrangement was enclosed by the Jail wall,
which is about Twelve feet high, aud the space
within about forty feet square.
ed ones 4 good dinner, OF which the negro
Levi could not par.ake, but which the mulatc
devoured with relish. | was invited into the
cell, containing the two men, to witness the
preparation there being made for the solemn
scene. The prisoners were each confined by q
heavy chain to two huge staples firmly secured
to the floor, which, being struck off, the sheriff
and his assistants proceeded TO tie the hands
and pinion John, whose only remark was that
he " was ready to travel tie road" After be.
ing securely tied he said, "l believe | will
pray a litlle," and retired to one side of the
room and knelt as if in prayer, although his
whole demeanor was such as to impress the
spectators that he had 10 adequate appreciation
of the position in which he was placed. Not
so, however, with Levi. He was completely
broken up, and wept and prayed lncesEantly,
fully impressed with the fact that he was 10
suffer unjustly. In'response to a question, he
asserted that, in view OF the fact
that he had but few minutes to live, he had
I" had to do with the girl many and many a
time, with her consent" About the time the |
arrangements just spoken Of were completed, |
tho girl Sarah was brought down from her
room by depuTy sheriff, and the solemn pro-
cession passed into the yard and up the steps
of the scaffold, preceded by Rev. Mr.. Ilough,
of the NJ. E. Church, in the following order /:
First Sarah, assisted by deputy Pepper, Levi,
assisted by ex-sheriff LoHand, and finally John,
accompanied by sheriff Jones. Neither the
girl or Levi would have been abla to have as
cended the scafold without assistance. The
girl was weeping bitterly, Levi praying and
moaning most pIieOusIy, John seemingly the
most uncsncerned person present. After be-
ing sealed, Rev. VIM. IlCugh offered a fervent
prayer in their behalf, took final leave Of
them. and descended The three were then
conducted TO the drop, and each placed in the
position assigned--the girl en- the west end, the
InaA Ig5I IA the ccnlra, and John on the east.
During the whole Of these arrangements John
was looking calmly about, seeming TO inspect
the whole ,rrarg cement with more of curiosity !
than dread. Lew aud Sarah never opened
their lips. The halters were now placed upon |
their nScks, the caps drawn over their heads,
and at one o'clock aud one minute precisely |
the prop was suddenly drawn from its position,
the drop tell, and the condemned were hang
ing between heaven and earth.
Sarah died insta nta neeusIy and without a
struggle, Levi struggled slightly; pulsa ton in
him ceased In five minutes John struggled |
hard, and il was not until nine minutes that he
was pronounced dead by the physicians pre-
sent. After hanging about one hour the 10.
dies were taken down, and, after an cxamina.
ton by Drs Maull, Richards and Marshall, Of
Georgetown; DR.. LoAand. Of Milford; DIR.
Daley, of Smyrna. and DIR. John McGIll. OIL
Philadelphia, who were invited by the sheriff
to witness the execution, were placed in the