The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-05
SECOND EDITION
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Execution at New Brunswick.
New Jersey, Tnis Morning.
The Negro Joseph Williams is Hung for
the Murder of John Reddlck,
November 10, 1866.

ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE EVENING TELEGRAPH.
New BRUNSWICK, n. j., July 5.-This morn
ing was the time appointed for the execution of
a negro man by the name OF Joseph Williams.
for the murder OF another negro named Jonu
Reddick, on the 18th of November last. The
case is such curious one that it will bear re-
petition.
Previous History of the Murderer.
Joseph Williams, the guilty man, according
dent, was born slave, In Charleston, South
Carolina. and had reached the age of thirty
nine years. When eighteen years old he left
Charleston, and, still in bondage, lived first In
Savannah and then ia Montgomery, Mobile,
and New Orleans. Several years before the war
he ontrived to escape from slavery, going first
TO New York city, and subsequently, To Canada.
Returning to the United States, he lived while
in Boston and Salem. Mass, and New York city,
and then concluded TO return to the South.
At the time the war broke out he
fifteen miles from New Orleans After the oc-
cupation of New Orleans by the Federal troops
three years as the body servant Of different
army officers. About three years ago he came
servant he had been for over a year and for
about the same period subsequently ne acted
as coachman to Mr.. William Ward, the father
of the Major, who resided at No. % West Six
teenth street.
After leaving the service of Mr. Ward, he re.
mained for several months in New York city, a
great portion of the time in ldleness. About a
year ago he came TO Middlesex county. OF
which New Brunswick is the capital, and there
earned livelihood Tor some time by cutting
wood and working out by the day as a farm
mana AL Jne JlIne OF
The Murder OF John ReddIcIx,
Williams was at work in the woods in Monroe
township, some fifteen miles I. ON this place,
He resided in q small house, portion of which
was occupied by his fellow-laborer, Reddick
and the wife OF the latter 1t appears th at Red.
dick and Williams did not agree very we'll and
frequent quarrellings were the result in which,
according TO Williams account, Reddick aiways
came out best. On the day of the murder, Will
Ii,a nams oornaGn,n had dispute with Reddick's
point at issue being as to whose dinner should
first be cook ed in it. Reddck was about to in
Williams was aroused The latter said he had
made up his mind to have no more quarrels
with Reddick. feeling quite sure that he would
get worsted, especially as he was at the time
suffering from lameness in one of his feet SO
he made up his mind to put his hated antago-
mist out of the way without any more ceremony.
Going to his own room, he procured a loaded
gun, and then stepped ont of doors telling Red
dick to step out and he would settle the trouble
about the kettle. He then deliberately ired at
his antagonist, and the latter fell, Surviving
long enough TO utter the simple words, "Good-
Williams Gives Himself Up.
Having thus taken upon himself the guilt of
the officers OF the law. He had ample opportu-
nifty to escape, as the reputation of the
murdered man was quite bad, and no great
exertions would probably have been taken to
bring his murderer to justice Williams, ac-
cording TO the determination which he formed
from the first, sought out a magistrate and re-
quested to be placed under arrest TOR the mur
der OF Reddick; saying II have shot the id
lousto believe this story, and politely requested
Williams to go TO the Devil, and there shoot
more of themW
The guilty man appealed to another officer of
the law, with the same result as before, and not
until he had crossed The line into Monmouth
county did he succeed in placing himself under
arrest
Being conducted to New Brunswick, he was
lodged in jail until the April term of court, at
which his trial took place. Agreeably TO his
persist ent purpose from the first he entered
plea of guilty" but the Court refused to receive
it, and the plea was retracted. The trial, how
ever, was mere tormality, although Williams
was ably and zealously defended; and having
he was sentenced to be hung on the 9th of uly.
The FrlaOner's DsmeanOr
since his trial was entirely consistent with his
purpose in surrendering himse II to the officers
of the law. He claimed great credit for THIS
act, saying that he had acted from first to last
during his imprisonment by the Rev. o. j.
Page, pastor of the Piscataquay Baptist Church.
in q neighboring township. With his spiritual
adviser, and, indeed, with all who visited him,
belief in the mercy of God and the mediation
of the Saviour. In all this he appeared TO be so
enthusiastically sincere that IL seemed 1mpoSsl-
BILE to doubt the truthfulness OF his assump-
Iions. When conVersing on religious subjects,
his face would almost glow, and his eyes would
be upturned with an expression of unWaverlng
faith. Last evening he said TO your cores
pondent, 1.-THE time is short, know; but IT'S
too long-too long. Tomorrow morning shall
see Jesusl This time tomorrow l shall be
climbing Jacobs ladder"
In person he was very large and stout, mea-
Suring about five feet eleven inches, and weigh
ing nearly one hundred and ninety POUNDS
His features were small, and rather intelligent,
his hair short and crisp, and his complexion
that OF u fullblooded African.