The New York herald., 1867-04-23
THE PENALTY OF CRIME.

Double Execution In Geofgia-visit TO the
Cells Of the Condemned d-Anecting scenes mt
the Jail and at the (snllOws-Last Words Of
the Doomed Men. &c.
From the Savannah Republican, April 1871
We were courteous|y shown through the jail yester
to indulge in conversation with the two convicted mur
derers, Jack Dorch alias Jewett and Moses Bayfield,
both Of whom u will DC remembered . were tired led DO
the Superior Court for the commission OF one OF the
most brutal and cold blooded murders that We have
After prolonged and exciting trial. during which the
most overwhelming proof was introduced, the jury
clearly the guilt Of the accused The sentence Of death
pronounced by Judge Fleming that the unfortunate
men be hung BY the neck - until dead on the lsh DAY
The following brief outlines Of the MURDER as taken
from the witnesses testifying, will convey slight i'm
ing citizen, Mr. Henry seccinger q farmer
Of Emngham county, while haltug with his
was approached by Jack Dortch and Moses Bayfield,
who purchased twenty-five cents worth OF biscuit from
him In making nsngs M ecngr Sx ger n1cS his
refused by Mr. Seccinger, who was seized and bowie
knife brandished over him by Bayfield,, while Jack
Dortch pointed double barrcled gun at Mr. $. and
swearing that unless the money delivered to
him he would blow his brains out seccinger
replied he would die before surrendering his
property and at this moment the gun fred by
Jack. Seccihger while falling threw his wallet into
within M few feet o. him ~ JACK and S. re-
gains, squandering the money IN savannah purchasing
suits OF clothing, and indulgng in other extrava
gancies The murderers remained undiscovered for
nine days. and finally detected by tho finding Of
hat belonging to OF band OF desperadoes Of which
Jack Dortch was an active member. Through this the
officers traced the murderers
SCENES INSIDE THE
On nearing the dismal cells Of the convicted we
found Rev. Fathers Victor OF St. Johns cathedral and
Prendergas Of St. Patricks church, in the corridor In
front Of Jack Dorch's CELL engaged In religious conver
saon with the prisoner who has embraced the Roman
Catholic faith within few weeks, while the Rev. Mr.
Eberhart Cox and Campbell, the two latter colored
Moses bayfield, Christian advice bayfield,, who has
from the time Of his arrest up to the
present hour, manifested considerable peni.ence and
grief for the part he took accessory the bloody ira
gedy, kneeng within his cell, and when interrogat
ed to the terrible deed protested with tears in his
ceivlng the money. Bayfield, admitted having taken
portion Of Mr. seccnsers money from Jack and that he
had revolver his hand at the time, but did not draw
upon Mr. Seccingcr He he was twenty feet dis
tan when the fatal gun was fired, and felt sorry that the
trouble had occurred and that there was no intention
on the part Of Jack Dorch commit MURDER but thai
the gun accidentally discharged while Jack and Mr.
were ~ the scs o. s sySsc
which was held with him, and when we asked him II he
aware Of the great crime he had committed as an
money be burst into parcxysm Of grief claspng his
hands be knet raising his eyes towards Heaven, and
tears coursng down his cheeks he invoked Gods
mercy. One Of the saddest sights we witnessed
was the last interview and final parting OF Bayfield, with
his wife, father, mother and sister, For several min
u.es Bayfield, tightly cIasped the hand OF his wife and
h The
where suffering never enters and where crime Is un
known. With loud sobs reverberating through the
jail OF such anguish springs only from broken hearts
the afflicted wife, mother and sister took their departure
and bid adeu forever to who, though stained with
murder, was still dear 70 them.
JACK DoRTcH
was usual, 10 a very compacent mood, and, like Bay
field expressed his WILLINGNESS to die confessng that he
Mr. Seccuger but claimed the result of acci
dent and not malice Jack is TALL fine athletic look
ing negro Of stout build with quite intelligent face
countenance that bears but ttle If any impress Of mali
ciousness Jack Dortch alias Jewett-h,s fathers
being Dortch-was born in Washington county, and was
twenty years od and on the arrival Of the Ono Hundred
and Third United States Colored regiment Colonel
Bogart, he enlisted in Captain Halleits company,
from which he received an honorable discharge. Jack
soully protests that Bayfield, Is innocent OF any
plicty in the murder. asserting that be merely
unwilling witness. He said he chad not been SOL
der in the Yankee army" jury would have
victed him. Jack says he has experienced religion aud
and vcrot have been very attentive 10 the spiritual
wants Of the prisoner and last night Father Victor
pressing an earnest desire TO remain all night with jack
TO administer the rites OF his creed he locked In
the same cell and spent most Of the night in solemn
prayer.
From the Savannah News and Herald. April 2ol
Tho father OF Bayfield, remained with him until late
hour exhorting him 70 penance As the dread hour
which would close his mortal near at hand
ness and he departed unwilling to be witness 10 his
sons DEATH Tho parting was short onc scenes Of
his sOns hand be bestowed parents Blessing Mosss
kneeling receive II. warm shaking OF the hand q
parting look, and he bid him an earthly adieu. Upon
reaching the outside Of the cell, the father staggered
against the WALL and covering his face with bis hands,
1About three o'clock after having been attr.
q In white clothes, Baynelds hands were rst tied BE-
hind his back and led into the corridor, where he
snS % rhos q 8 % ne
especially the clergy, 70 whom he frequently asserted
his readiness 70 die. and bis peace with man and God
Like Jewett he made no aluson TO his completely In
the murder About quarter past -four o'clock every.
thing being in readiness Jewett led forth from his
countenance when indicated no emotion, he walked
down the passage way and joined mis- companion in
crime The criminals we're % snsn surrounded IRON od oy ne
moved towards the door which led from the inside Of
the jail into the yard. The solemn silence and Of
double dooss, which sounded like the last solemn
ing Of earthly hope. moro solemn or impressive
moved through the yard 70 the ealIows The
nckerng rays Of lantern cast feeble glare through
the heavy mis-. and drizslns ram illuminating the
The silence Of the procession was only broken BY
pentent expression too fcrvent TO be mistaken the
and ministers who walked on each side Of the doomed
few moments brought them 10 the foot Of the gal.
Of the dread oi justice The prisoners eyed
y with apparent complacency, not muscle Of their
ssn 'esg ss pS hSsv saS
They we're accompanied by the Rev. Father Prender-
CAST Rev Father Victor, and the Rev. MessS Cox and
EoerharL who sill continued urging them TO divine
favor While the rope was thrown over the beam and
adjusted around their necks the prisoners remained
unmoved and with loud voices repeatedly declared their
desire 10 die.
The Rev. Father verot In behalf OF Jcwett, uttered
lev remarks TO the assembage warning them of the sad
consequences Of yielding 10 their passions The Rev.
MI Eberharh in behalf OF Bayfield, followed,
stating that they Che prisonsrs) were about
justice Contaminated through tho wisdom Of
man. i" He who takes the life OF man the same shall
have his life taken By man. But there was hope and
pardon Tor Sinners the prince OF sinners He OK.
hored the sssembage 10 join him prayer for the con-
demned, which he then offered with great force and
effect
Jewet then exclaimed, after bidding goodby TO the
clergy, hope 70 meet you In heaven father Tor am
going 70 rest a. last perhaps the sooner the better
feel am going q last hops 70 meet you all gentle.