The New York herald., 1868-03-05
THE SCAFFOLD.
Execution Of n Negro Woman in Maryland
she COnfennes 10 BuryinR Tier Victim Alive.

Execution Of n Negro Woman in nIaryIand-
she COnfesses To Buryins Her Victim Alive.
On Friday, the 2stn Of February Lucy Purnell
negress executed at Hill, Maryland for the
murder Of Hanson Robbins The scafold was erected
In open field. The prisoner shook hands with all
those admitted the scaod. She expressed herself
loving everybody and having made her peace with
God, ready and anxious to 60 homo to Him.
While the clergyman was addressing the crowd In her
behalf eyes lit up with wild unearthy excitement
and she rocking herself back and FORTH clappng
her hands and working her lips. SO soon as
no done she burst i0rth In the following
"Yes have got tho grace OF God IN my soul. don't
fear to die am going 10 my God am going home
TO glory am gong to house not made with hands.
l shall live forever have just found out how TO 1--we.
I'm going home There Is no mistake about IT," After
conversing with several friends she exclaimed IL
going TO live with God forever ! am gong home to
1--we with God. am only going to die little spiritual
death here" Then with great forvor, sTurn sinners,
turn have turned die now one tme and never no
more am Just going TO church" As the visitors left
scaold she commenced shouting exclaning all the
time. and over, that she ready to go,n that
said. s'1hs is good old Friday, my best day prayed
God last night that II should not rain or snow and He
has answered my prayer. ! am going home to glory.
ful world. Pm turned from sin TO grace This death
won't be any more than a horse fly bite" She died
with but little apparent suffering Before tho body
placed in the coffin the crowd became highly excited,
and in defiance the guards rushed the barriers
to the body. II was finally carried oil the grounds
CONFESSION.
She states that on the night upon which the homicide
committed she had retired TO her bed, while the
deceased was lying on his plank before the lre BE.
tween midnight and day the deceased aroused her by
approaching her bed and demanding to share It with
her she denied him the privilege, and he insisted with
violent language and finally ordered her to got up and
leave the premises he would ptcn her and her urni
his bench or plank before the fire, aud prisoner
fell into dozc, supposng that tho deceased
had abandoned his intended violence TO her,
when she was again aroused by his sezinJ
table belonging TO her aud dragging towards tho door,
which he had thrown open as though to throw II out,
and then sat down on his plank, looking towards the
fire. She arose from bed very angry, soized pestle
made by the deceased for beating apples in cider max
ing crcpt up behind him without his seeing hcr and
struck him heavy blow on the head, which knocked
him over sonseless She then struck him second time
whilst he lying PROSTATE. That seeing ho was worso
hurt than she intended sne struck no more Al this
stage or the tragedy her daughters woke up aud the
three took the body the road and laid II down.
Toe deceased thon alive, Indicated by his
groans she bade her daughters 60 back to
the house. dug hole herself and placed the
body in 1t alive Having covered 1t with dirt she placed
shavings on top TO conceal the place OF burial After
placing the shavings the newly made grave she
heard the unearthly groans proceeding from the
buried man. Conscience stricken she turned and ed
from the scene OF her horrible crime. She seemed
however TO be drawn to the spot by terrible fasc
nation and some time Afterwards discovered In Of
her Visits past the grave that the hogs had rooted up
part of the skeleton, which she ully ronorrcd.
Again she discovered that dog had scratched up tue
skull and carried II into the adjoining Held THIS she
took with her and making q circuit aro und the lcld
buried II IN the woods under cedar tree.