The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-01
FIRST EDITION
AN EXCITING SCENE.

Two Men on the scaGoId in North Carolina
The Governor Telegraphed to for n Respite
The Criminals Wait Five Minutes with the
Rope Around their Necks-It Comes ut Last.
From the Weldon ~ c. Neios, Nay 20.
Yesterday being the day for the execution OF Gus
Baker and Jim. Thomas, two Wade Ditcher muir
derers Halifax early ia the day crowds OF blacks
and goodly number OF whites commenced assem-
bling in the town of Halifax with the vain hone of
seeing the execution. The murder Is acknowledged
TO have been most atrOcious one, and az the guilt
Of the parties was not questioned, but little or no
sympathy was manifested on any hand. All the pre-
parations necessary for the hanging had been made
an enclosure some fifteen feet high having been
erected in front Of the jail with rough but substan-
tial scaHold erected at the southern side OF it.
Up TO Thursday the prisoners had entertained
some hopes of respite or Communication OF the
sentence, but upon the arrival OF the respite for
George Bayline, and refusal OF the Governor 70 in
terfere in the execution OF the sentence upon Baker
ana Thomas, the Two latter resigned all hope; but
the manner OF expressing their feelings was rather
strange, for instead OF complaining OF his own
tate, Baker lost sight OF this, and heaped curses
loud and bitter upon George Bayne twho
was occupying different celD, and
said there was no justice IN hanging him and
Thomas, and respiting Bayline, when all three
convicted on the same evidence. Such were his feel
ings that we think he would have murdered Bayline
had the opportunity been offered His appear nee
was that OF demon, and exhibited the true charac-
ter of the man. The cause OF this hatred against
Bayline springs from the confession Inade by the
latter few days since, and which they declare
TO De false Thursday night obey spent in
effect except in one instance Thomas slept for a few
moments, from which he was aroused as if from a
they knew, they witnessed for the last time the
gladden. the earth with its rays Breakfast was
served them, but they ate nothing, only drinking
cup OF coffee Baker asked for jucp, which was
furnished him. and he drank ''the health and long
life" Of those around him. Between the hours Of II
and the execution was to take place; Il O'Clock ar
rived, and with it despatch from Governor Holdens
secretary at Raleigh demanding that the prisoners
be not hung until Friday, the 4th OF June next,
stating that the respite would be forwarded by mail
Sheriff John A. Reid refused to acknowledge this
despatch as official, and so telegTaphed HOden's
secretary. Shortly after 12 O'Clock second des-
patcn was received from Raleigh, requesting the
Sheriff TO stay the execution to the last moment;
that Governor Holden, who was in Baltimore, had
again been telegraphed TO. At 12% O'Clock the
Sheriff arrived at the jail grounds aud proceeded to
arrange for the execution. During this time the eX-
citement had been intense, owing to the various
despatches and the probabilities as to whether the
sheriff would recognize any despatch as valid The
respite which came in the morning in answer to
an urgent request from Mr. A. Conigland, one of the
prisoners counsel (but which application was made
without the knowledge OF the prisoners themseves),
who desired that time should be given Gus Baker
10 see Catholic priest he Baker having expressed
an earnest desire to have one with him before being
executed, Mr.. Congland having teegraphed
the sheriff having declared his intention to hang
them, regardless Of Horners telegram, at ~
o'clock, Mr.. Conigland, accompanied by two ladies,
visited the prisoners cell and read the services OF
the Catholic Church TO them, and praying with them,
Horace Reid the rites Of baptism being administered
after the prisoners were tied. The announcement
that the hanging was about TO take place caused the
swaying masses outside TO press against the wall and
move 20 and fro-ony some fifty witnesses being in
side including several members of the press physi-
clans, and the number allowed by law.
The prisoners were then led forth into the yard
and walked apparently cool, upon the ,scanold:
Baker was dressed in white pants white shirt, and
white gloves; Thomas in the same manner, with the
exception OF cOlOred pants Sheriff Reid, assisted
by Deputy Sheriff Horace Reid, then adjusted the
ropes around their necks, placed the caps their
faces, and death seemed inevitable. But few
minutes remained until the expiration OF the time
allotted and the Sheriff declared his intention OF
waiting five minutes TO see if any further des-
patches should come AT this nneture the prisoners
counsel claimed that the time had expired,
and declared that the prisoners could not
be hung after that time without positive violation
of the law, and that hy so doing the sheriff would
lay himself liable The sheriff's own time wanted
ane minutes OF one, and many bysJanders sustained
him. Considerable excitement prevailed, the Sheriff
AYoWing his determination to hang the prisoners
within The time which his watch called for; but
when this matter being warmly discussed, the
prisoners in the meantime standing ready to be
launched into eternity, wanting only the knocking
II by q thread, "a despatch came IN from aGOVernOr
Holden, worded as foOws-
BALTIMORE, Nd, May 2S ls69-YO The Sieri6 Of
HaHtaG Comfy, N C.;-In response to the urgent
request of Mr. Conigiand, the criminals, Thomas and
Baker, hereby resped until the 4th day OF June
next, on which day they viii be executed,
w. w. HOLDEN,
Governor OF North Carolina.
The Sheriff at once declared his intention to recog
nize this despatch, and this of put end 10
the dispute-though the excitement was but little
abated-a pistol being tired at the moment claimed
TO be Accidentally by Representative Hays, who had
brought the despatch in. Some one in the crowd
outside cried, ''Come down, Baker!" TO which Baker
responded recognizing the voice., 'Oh my, Dudley,
thank God The prisoners were then released from
their cap and rope, and quietly conducted back into
their celtic be executed on Friday next, for the
murder OF Wade Ditcher in this place, unless again
they receive Executive clcmency, which is by nc
means probable. In the meantime priest viii be
demned. And thus ended what came near being an
execution, forming in its details one OF the mos'