The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-02-05
Scenes and Inoldents at a Hanging.

AUGUSTUS HOLMES, a niulatto, was
hanged at Tarboro, n c., recently, for the
murder Of MATHEW KING. 4 correspond
cnt Of the New York JIeIald thus describes
the scene at the execution:
New Years day being, from time i'm
memorable, a holiday with the negroes,
large numbers had thronged to town, as
well to enjog1Aemselves and make pur-
chases as to Feethe 'hangin' These be
gan 10 collect in the vicinity Of the scafoid
at an early hour, and by | a. H. large
crowd were massed on the side from which
the condemned was most exposed TO public
view. The guard were stationed in regu-
lar order round the scaffold, and beside
these large number of persons had been
admitted within the jail yard Enclosure.
Shortly after he was seated, Holmes re-
quested that somebody would pray for him,
and at the suggestion of party near the
scafFcld, as The condemned had embraced
the Catholic faith, Mr.. James Michigan,
very venerable and respected Irish gentle
man residing here, was asked to make the
desired prayer. This he did, though pro-
tesslonal Baptist clergyman was present,
and as he repeated, with uncovered head,
his gray locks shaken by the wind, the
Lords prayer in all its sacred beauty and
purity, followed by the belief and another
short prayer, the scene was exceedingly
solemn and impressive. But this was not
long to be So The condemned then asked
that somebody would sing hymn, and
asked that ElIllari Chapman, and his wife,
negroes, be SEPT for. This request was also
complied with, but while the messenger
was absent a number of other negroes vol
unteered to sing. Accordingly they came,
men aud women, climbing over the fences,
splashing through mud, and ascending the
scatlold, until, at one time, there being ten
people upon the drop besides the condemn
ed, fears were entertained that the rope, by
which it was suspended, might give way.
One negro woman, who at first spoke
calmly enough, became fearfullya excited.
and broke forth into an uncomfortable fit
OF religious enthusiasm, which for while
created quite commotion. Then another
religious enthusiast, a negro, gave out
a hymn, and invited all, whether inside or
outside the Enclosure, to come forward and
| Zine in de siugin', which invitation ma
ny accepted, and the hymn was chantet
with all the wiIdness and icryor peculiar to
negroes. Another negro, preacher, who
was ambitious and did not wish TO be
echpsed, then made a semi>prayer and
speech, which, for richness of dialect and
absurdity of English pronunciation has no
equal. Nearly dozen negro women had
meantime assembled the scatfold, and were
engaged speaking to the condemned, shak-
ing hands with him, and taking a last fares
! well. Next followed another hymn, differ
ing little from the one previously sung, and
while this was in progress Mary King, wife
OF the murdered man, with her child in
her arms, came splashing through the mud
toward the scaitod. She climbed the
steps, and extending her hand, shook that
of the condemned warmly, and told him
she forgive him. The scene was quite al
tacting. Again ard again Holmes, eyi>
IDENTIFY unnerved, asked if he was forgiven,
being assured in the affirmative each time.
lie shook hands with the child, little girl
about six years Of age, said that he had
Killed its father, for which he was sorry,
and hoped God and everybody else would
forgive him. These curious, though some
what solemn, scenes ended at the request
of the condemned. Mr. Phillips, his coun-
sci, read from the scaffud the confession,
which was heard by the entire crowd
Thus, instead of private, this was one Of
the most pubic executions ever witnessed,
Notwithstanding the law to the contrary.
1t was made an ctual exhibition.
The scafUld being cleared, the sheriff in
formed the ccndcmne1 that his hour had
arrived, but, from the continued excite,
ment OF the hour previous. he was unable
to rise to his feet without quite an effort
The cap was then placed over his head, lut
he asked that it be removed for an instant
TO gain another glimpse Of the light Of hea>
ven. This was done, and it was again re
placed, forever darkeuing the earthly vision
OF Gus Holmes. The rope was then adj
iusted, and when the knot was placed the
condemned fairly gave way at the knees
and would have sunk upon the drop but
that he was caught. At this juncture the
sheriff, who Was somewhat excited, as
might be expected under the circumstances,
said, Hold on, Gus, you won be hurt. y
\ negro had TO be called 10 the platform to
support the sinking man, and a. he had to
stand clear Of the drop, Holmes became in
a position leaning against him, entirely
helpless, his feet being towards the front OF
the drop. The consequence of this was
that when the drop fell the condemned slid
of, the knot having slipped round TO the
back Of his neck. Strangulation was the
result. The neck was not broken. There
was Il violent cOnvulSivc movement Of the
lower limbs, lasting for nearly three min
utes. Breathing ceased in seven minutes
and 4 half, pulsation in ! , minutes, and in
20 minutes life was declared extinct by the
attending physicians.