The New York herald., 1868-05-27
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Barbar0us and IR,luman Murder
i'm North Carolina.
Fatal Result of MisceSe-
nation in the south.
Execution of Reuben Wright white
NAM for the Murder of silas Hair
stem (ColoreO.
pAypERRY, Stokes Co., N. c., May 81, 1868.

AGAIN has conviction followed circumstantial evil
denoe: again the scaold's victim protests against
the stern decree OF the law and the terrible death
penalty was to-day enforced on Reuben Wright o
white man, for the murder Of Silas Harsten, a
negro. Never perhaps has there been case so sim
galar and peculiar, in which the murder was so
awfuly atrocious, the victim so innocent, the per-
petrators of the crime though no adepts barbar-
BUS and the whole affair is possibly without equal
In the long list Of murders that have been expiaed
on the scafrod. Here In the mountains OF North
Carolina at extremity of an adjunct OF the Blue
Ridge, the murder created the most intense excite
ment among the population, by no means exempt
from the commission OF crime, and where murder,
though not now rampant, has been Of no unusual
occurrence
THE SCENE
was on the plantation OF Mrs. Ruth Hairsten, situ-
ated in this county, on the banks of the Dan river
al appears that out Of eleven hundred slaves held
prior TO emancipation by this lady only about one
hundred remained, mostly families, who because OF
such encumbrances were prevented from roaming at
large over the country. Among these were Silas
Hairsten, negro, and his wife Minta, a handsome
fnuatto girl Of about twenty-one years Of age.
There were also several white hands employed upon
this plantation among whom was Reuben
Wright, man Of about sixty years of
age. Wright had been married, but his
wife died without issue nearly one year pre-
vious to the date of this murder, thus leaving him.
who, though an old man, was hale and hearty and
full Of all the vigor Of youth, alone and without
companion In his declining years. Daily labor In the
field brought all the plantation hands in close con-
TACT white and black men and women, and here 1t
was that an acquaintance was first formed between
Reuben Wright and Minta Harsten. Both were in
the field every day, and by adrolt maneuvring on
their parts they managed to keep close to each other
and thus acquaintance rpened into an intimacy that
ruined the happiness CT con1ding husband, created
him and finally resulted in his ASSASSINATION.
after the fashion Of soldiers winter quarters care
iacent TO Sias Harsten's cabin. TO this he became
frequent visitor in the absence Of the husband and
tween him and nairsten's faithless wife for mum.
per ol months, not however, without the knowledge
S @ vSS aa nan them
Hered the utmost caution necessary on the part Of
sg Wright and his paramount. Matters progressed in
S OF requesting Wright TO discontinue his visits to
ms ms no1se avowing at the same time that he "woud
terpined was the Injured and indignant spouse and
80 Stica az eye dd he Keep on his young but frail
shs DALE SS e n0
smours and TO rid themselves Of this obstacle now
became their entire aim.
soon matured between them which, In their estl.
nation, would successfully remove the cause OF their
present embarrassment and leave them unresiralned
IN the accomplishment Of their wishes. several at.
tempts, Which from various causes proved futile ia
SS Ss sas
Erignt though man OF exceedingly strong nerve
swS Gn Of y them sRs the nnew
the crime. Their names were Green and Prior, an,
under promise Of some money and other present mt
haying the assurance beforehand that Minta, hi
wife was oognisant of the whole, and would not on
ana cc%pisse Tue night Of he issi
THE MURDER,
and on that night when Silas returned from his
work. he was surprised TO ind his wife complaining
bf being very sick, SO much SO that she was unable
10 pe up. The husband expressed his sorrow and
was assidnous n his attentions to his handsome but
guuty vile, Offering to do everything In his power
70 alleviate her suffering. She, however, refused
Ehaeyer he suggested or onered and this was but
follow, she desired him TO make q pallet on me
noor In front OF the fire to sleep on and leave her
IN entire possession OF the bed she was 80 rest.
1ess" THIS he cheerlully did and without suspicion
g. 70 the foul part his wife was playing him. Sias
csd srstchea m me- himself upon the pallet and was
ler, however There was no sleep for her that
terrible night and restless Indeed she lay watching
Spe oxPIlng empers upon the hearth as gradually
shey became blacker and backer until darkness hid
Ss living form q her husband nom her view About
merely closed, was opened noiselessly, and three
men steaithily entered, one Of them preceding di-
the two Boys dreen nd MsI1 rsp
qence afterwards proved. The one ct the re famed
TIE ombers until asutcent light was obtained 10 see
ustnoty The form OF Silas, Who was still in sound
blow on The AnS Secs Seas sqs
murdered man to his feet G
arms M and Instantly fell back again corpse Wright
o do s naS. So Of aa s Saeg An gong
axe and by second blow entirely severed the head
OF the murdered man from the body. Both the blows
the house, and soon that was deluded with gore,
whicn save the murderers no one witnessed but the
pnuman and ue9cherous wife.
THB CoScEALhEST OF TEE BODY
vas wen managed, but not 30 effectually as to pre-
ens n ascovery. IL was first carried to neighbor
mk sPrmg anu tnere submerged without chance OF
He mgrderers considered the place safe. Soon how.
the plantation, but by The superintendent and ali the
urrySunding neshbors. Inquiry resulted ID obtain
ef Monday nsh-hat Of the mpTdermto Vi Ss tad St
neighbors named Gentry other reports were set
Tn cc party nSS down the river
sutsd and 80 alarmed aid the murderers become that
sney tnou9nst prudent TO remove the body from the
gfdscover and accordingly on the second night aftsf
Che murder thsy yisted he spring, took the BODY
rs forced through he sss wbsh ~ nsses sefs
fied together they managed 70 sink It. In the mean
selves to tho Conduct Of Snta the wife, wSo mot not
with AM the prcnPs,n and IsIASe Of wga
her mind. On the evening Of the 2lst the body
WAS DJ6OOvHRRD
by young white man named Blackburn while cross.
BENNY Iy's obtained as Ss hssSs an n s:
Ha!rsten was fished out Of tho river By Blackburn
and Green and Prior, the two negroes who were &C.
ceseories 70 the murder. hue and cry was ct once
raised, and % the first step 4inte was arrested.
ooroners Jury was summoned, before whom
she was brought and with . woman's
weakness she at once accused Reuben Wright
ss the murderer, and Green and Prior as &C.
$eysoneSk They were ell arrested and committed 70
ssll sndY the fall term of Stokes Superior Court
substantially AZ above was elicted. During
.ne .,sl minta related the following conversation
morning after the murder.- "'~ "S'
"a Tsncyl ss,S say say what that You look 90 sorry ."
SHAW "a, Nancy say, ''si done gone down a
river In de bostv s""~ "V"S "
say no. 'sBf krled.n
Nanny ssTIov vou