The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-18
THE GALLOWS.
Execution Of the Negro Tom Ryan for the
Murder Of the White Man John X. Legsett-
Confession Of the Condemned Man-Trag'c
Results Of lnfcuperance. n


Results OF lnfculperance. =
WILLIAMSON, NC, Nov. To- 1865.
sharp, quick and decisive dow OF nalcne''
and the fatal rope Ia snapped Ia WALL ueaVy
thud, followed by Jerk ana the Dooy OF
Tom RYAN a negro, was to-day Suspended be-
tween heaven and earth Hanging, perhaps
the most revolving mode OF enforcing The
extreme penalty OF the law known to modern civil
Ized nations, and looked upon by many as q rect OF
barbarism has been realized here to-day IN Al, its
horrors But blood cried from the earth for blood;
the hand OF fellow man was red with that o.
another and stern justice meted OFT the terrible
vengeance which assured.y follows The ccmm!ssicC
OF the foul crime OF murder.
TH8 CRIME
For atrocty it has scarcely parallel IN the long
list that have been expiated upon the scayold.
Frenzled with the fumes OF vile liquor which he had
been drinking, the negro Ryan came TO store in
which the victim Leggett. young white man, was
CLERK, and demanded in q savage manner
liquor. Seeing that he was already intoxicated Leg
gett cvily but resolutely and determnedy, refused
TO give him the liquor, whereupon the negro again
reiterated his demand. and being again refused left
the store, making the most terrible threats against
Leggett which, however, were not regarded al the
time. Infurated he returned at night armed with
an axe, and breaking into The sleeping apartment or
Leggett struck him several blows on the head. The
brains and blood of the murdered man covered the
walls and floor OF the room-the clothes OF the MUIR
derer and even the ceiling crying Tor vengeance; and
his hand red with Innocent blood Ryan went forth
fromsthe scene Of his horrible crime
THE VICTIM
was a young man OF very respectable family, who
enjoyed the esteem OF the community IN which he
lived. In the pursuit OF his business he was dligent
and attentive, civil ana courteous to his customers
and above reproach as TO character. To the negroes
he was unusually kind and agreeable, and enjoyed
II has been remarked by many that he invariably
made it point to refuse them liquor when
quantity which might produce intoxicaton These
and other good traits are freely mentioned by many
colored men II the neighborhood OF the terrible
tragedy.
THE ARREST AND TRIAL
Of the murderer followed speedily. An incensed and
outraged community, assisted by the enicers OF the
law, were soon upon his tracks. and despite lis
efforts to escape Ryan was captured and lodged in
lous hardened demeanor OF wretched
criminal who is determined to bring all
the resources Of a desperate and reck-
less nature to his aid II he took a pride in
Drawing out IN this manner his limited existence. A
mixed jury found him guilty OF murder in the first
signed by the Court. The Judge pronounced the aw-
ful sentence OF the law, which thrill OF horror
at the court; but the sca1old's future victim
renamed lmpassive perhaps scarcely approaching
the close proximity OF his impending doom. During
his imprisonment 1t Is said he made several
boasts that Leggett was not the first man
that came to his death by his hands; that
four more had been sent to their long homes ere he
ever saw his last victim Such the tenor OF his
remarks, which so loathed and Disguised his few
hearers that they turned and went from his
rs though he were demon. In obedience to the
command OF the Court he was taken to the jail at
Washington, Beaufort county. because OF the inse
cunty OF and the opportunities afforded by that at
WILLIAMSON for escape While here his desperate
energies did not relax, and as the time grew shorter
tonishing efforts to escape. which were only rus.
trated by the vigilance OF the oicers OF the jail.
THE PREPARATIONS
TOR the nnal tragedy were ali completed on Thursday
under the supervision and direction OF Sheriff Craw
,ord. heretofore under the old regime executions
public, and thousands, attracted by morbid curl
osity, Hooked from near and far to witness the
expiring agonies OF fellow creature. Young and
old male and female. blacks and whites, were wont
10 assemble together on these occasions II some
brilliant tournament some grand display, at least,
some pleasing spectacle were to greet their vision.
Now, however. thanks TO the last Legislature exc
cutions are in future to be private witnessed only
spared the coveted though revolving spectacle OF
hanging. In conformity with this very excellen,
law plank wall, some twelve feet in height. taxing
m an enclosure sucien for the purposes OF the exc.
euon, had been erected IN rear Of the Court House
~ WILLIAMSON. Within this was the gallows,
ample structure composed OF the ordinary uprghts.
cr0ssbeam and drop. The latter supported
hole IN the upper beam OF the gsilows was maze
fast to peg at the lower part OF OF the uprghts
This rope cut the drop fell.
ARRIVAL OF THE CONDEMNED.
Accompanied by an armed mounted guard the
sherr, on Thursday evening, left here for Washing
ton to convey the doomed man TO the scene OF his
execution. This morning the solemn but small pro.
eession OF dozen horsemen. having with them
Ryan, arrived OF the Court House about twelve NJ.
A small crowd swarmed around the guard to take
hast look at the being the verge OF eternity, and
during the hIa preparations lions for the execution
grained In that particular. Up TO this time
he condemned looked composed and con-
times though, IS II involuntary recollection OF his
doom dashed across his mind, he would quail and
geiner his desperate and bravado nature seemed to
be deserving him.
Upon being approached az TO his guilt or inno-
eence VI the crime he freely admitted the former,
but denied In the most emphatic manner OF which
he was capable that he had been granted fair
trial The whole cause OF the deed was liquor and
this had been fairly taken into consideration by
without taking his life. or this he complained
bitterly. and In plteous tones went on
han sworn falsely against him. ON one point he
dwelt long aud was exceedingly earnest, and that
was ,n ne had declared tina, he was going 70 get
MED that he ever made any such assertion: and In
proof stated that he never owned gun, and conse-
sworn TO- lie had never had any III feelings
Mr.. Legvett nor never entertained any erudge
against him. He did not remember having struck
che blows which killed him. and with hall asser-
non tina. liquor was The responsible agent Tor the
murder ne voana lu ~ sc,xss
About one p. NJ. the condemned was brought into
the Court House. and here. a. IL usual be was robed
This process he underwent quietly. appearing calm
and unmoyeda and reply ng promptly 10 al questions
that were asked him, tut ,enturing no remarks or
lnterrogatcres u hs own soon after being shrouded
he asked for preacher and one OF his own color
was admitted " HE presence. With whom ne con-
versed on hs spiritual condition for some time lie
said that his peace made with God. and that he
believed lac was ready to die. lie prayed and joined
m singing hymn, after which he was brought To
the enclosure 10 rear VI the isl where number u!
persons had been previously admitted.
rnE PIMA TRAGEDY.
~ the door of the enclosure Wa opened and the
ghastly sight Of the scafOd met hi- gaze. hs features
ASSUMED blanched hue. he entirely los, hls self.
possession aud seemed terror stricken All the reck.
yessness OF the desperado was gone end while pelng
led upon the fatal drop Ne broke IN the abeci
tones.-"0h Jesus. here IL death Here IL death I.
God TO meet you IN heaven. am guilty, but whls.
key was the cause. OF. God Oh God y such were
the last words uttered by Tom Ryan. bat while
still alive his hps seemed 10 DC moving A.
n earnestly engaged IN prayer H.s limbs