New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-06
THE SCAFFOLD.
EXECUTION NEw-BRUNswICK OF THE NEGRO
KNOX (WuJJAMSl

always been known Joseph Williams but whose real
name was, as he finally disclosed, Williams but Knox.
The culprt had been for many yeaRs resident Of New
Brunswiek and although OF the most magnificent
physical development and possessed Of extraordinary
strength, he was known as being generally quiet and
peaceable citizen. On occasion he had, how
ever, come into collision with another stawart negro
every instance proved the victor greatly to the dscOmf
tire Of Williams Knox That certain amount of bad
blood had been generated by these several encounters
more than likely but 1t was no more than could have
been disposed Of by quiet little pugstc bleeding at the
nose, had not other elements come into the quarrel
which intensified 1t TO the deadly form 1t afterward
assumed. -
Williams Knox was hanged yesterday for killing Red
dick The following Is brief history OF the murder
In the month of December, 1885, the two men, Williams
and Reddick, were living house belonging to MIR.
Peter Perrne the two occupying separate rooms,
good friends, ssave slight disagreement Williams
occupied room side, and Reddiek, with his wife,
a the opposite side Of hall running through
the house. Some words passed between Williams and
Mr. and Mrs Reddck relative to the use OF an iron pot
belonging to Williams. Williams became very angry and
went into his room, mutterng: I'm be the means OF
this is through" About five minutes after he came
out OF his room into the hall with loaded gum ana sad
here john am ready TO talk with you" Williams then
huredy walked down the path leading to the yard gate
70 the right Of the hadoor and Reddek came OUT OF he
and went down the path leading to the gar
den gatea different direction Williams then turned drew
his gun TO his shoulder aud fired at Reddek VINO was
standing with his right side toward him, about rs feet
gun entered the right side of Reddick killing him instant
ly Williams then returned to the house and SAID TO the
you id niggers III shoot you also He then placed
the gun his and went down the lane subsequent
ly going TO Freehold Where ne voluntarily gave himself
The foregoing is the popular version of the circum-
Williams was in due course of law tried convicted and
The Editor of Tke -Br1n,sciek Fredotian in his
paper Of yesterday afternoon makes the suoined state
I inst Williams sent word TO Office fOrs
that be wanted letter written one friends EyYcrt,
%a S1s d set the following letter. which give
am very glad received your letter morning glad to hear
that thanked God when letter reached have
inside Of Gods days Tomorrow morning will hearmy prayer and
b viii hear II no more for when the breath leaves The 0Gy be will
lis my Nrayer for my Redeemsrs sake Amen r.,
nat you again No longer Esh 20 ar Good bye Re
vsJ to Canaan Stemsn say viii
che and III sing above The new song that was never sung on
dsy. For death dOnt fear at all. May God help You
isS G me- hosRt the o.St
Nay Coz help You you HIS Kingdom when earth for
vas q happy soul am this day.
Nov have close and IN bid good bye more shall
dPah shall be written here trust will written
among Gods angels No" lear not death s''''sjE oAps WILLIAMS
The unhappy man was visited yesterday morning in
his by of friends who administered all the
comfort possible under the circumstances Among these
gentlemen the Rev. William Henry Williams (cOl
Ored aud the G. j. Page Cwhitel. Both these gem
temen have not only administered all the Gospel COM
fors possible during the long and weary incarceration Of
the doomed, but they attended him through his last
ments and with him up 70 the instant Of the stroke
which sent him to his death The murderer was man
OF much intelligence; generally Industrious was
well known and well liked by the citizens Of NewBruns
wick.
Williams occupied the greater number of the night
hours of Thursday IN prayer with his attendant clergy
men. At about O'Clock he lay down and slept for
couple of hours and then aud dressed himself in his
last suit dark mixed pants pateneather slippers with
an embroidered rose in the toe OF eaet one; Mte shT
white vest carefully embroidered with white wreath
and black alpaca coat The elbows were plnoned he
mud the back with wide Leather strap ana me inev
table shapelCss, CHASTITY black cap hiding the entire
head-ls was not OF course drawn over his face until
the last moment
~ his cell Williams visited by many ftienFsi some
or his own color others, who, Jurors Counsel Or wit
pesses had become well known TO him during his trial
His bearing was always manly and without any appear
ence OF great fear, though there was 10 show Of
pray@io IN his manner, He showed Ike man who
knew hs awful situation, and who had made up his mind
How do you feel JOsephl" He replied II trust in the
- Sir; am happy in the hope that shall be IN
nsSSss ' Min those ~ came there whether from duty
SrO%Gso MN STeak TO the dying man. TO each one
Joseph spoke word OF tTo OF the hand OF linn who
was 80 soon die salued %.tn, H"" speed YOU
q God help YOU" " God bless us ALL etc
Then Tie sheriff pinoned his hands, and adjusted the
moose his neck there is always bit OF rope, Two
feet long with the fatal moose one end OF it, whe
adjusted about the meek Of the doomed man IN ms eeIOh
the end OF tins short piece OF rope loop which
the gaows itsel placed the black cap his head,
but not to cover his face All this time Joseph with
most happy expression on his face was utter
ing such expressions these: Praise the Lord"
"Thank the Lord this blessed day" shall be in
Heaven tonight thank Jesus for IT." Meet me here
after with Jesus my brothers !" etc.
The cell was cleared partially and the prisoner leaned
against the door and listened 10 the reading OF certain
Socnmsts which the laws of Newersey decree shall he
~ ~ VI ,,iI =. a. sati arre ~ sentence 1here
.esu III ~ O 80 w d r S,n,, ~
rs Also 'ohg apsuaet OF Ine Iios' S T6i % s
enaenee adverse 10 tne prisoner, ti9 ~
not Ohy heeuess, put asO PosItFey t ~
yesterday 81 minutes Vi lhe sI aoe5 o SaI.
The reading having been at last concluded the throng
which encOnpasseu the WleIcnSu man oNcu Oh 10 me
next CELL IN winch is cOhnhSa brluset DeIgah Ior tne
murder OF MIS- Corleil bIlueet was Htlg on stOOl
next 10 heT grated 9VoI eageIy Ma,Snlng IO
70 pass. he st1ppeu peiOe .1 Hnu oSsu Iood
Tar as his bonds would let n ne oeieu LOT te last