Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-21
Base Ball Match at Louisville.
THE GALLONS.

The Hanging of Calvin and Moody.
Special to the Union and American.
MEMPHIS, Aug. .20.-The execution OF
james Calvin and Sam Moody, the latter
colored, has been the conversation for sev-
eral days. Efforts were made to procure for
Calvin a reprieve or Communication of sen.
tence to Imprisonment for life, but within
two days it has been ascertained that Gov.
Senter would not interfere with the sent
ence of the court; consequently at an early
hour this morning crowds of people, most
iy negroes from the city and country, be-
gan TO assemble about the Jail, and by one
o'clock every available inch of space in
the streets, on tops of houses and In
windows were crowded with an eager and
curious assemblage, many of whom being
females, anxious TO witness the execution
of the condemned men.
Fully ten Thousand people were upon
lhe outside, and about two hundred includ-
ing officers and members of the press on
abe inside of the Jail yard
Galvin's crime WAS the murder of Po-
licemsn Fenton, ia December, 1868. He
was arrested but subsequently escaped and
six months afterwards was rearrested and
brought 10 trial.
Sam Moody, the negro, was engaged
with three others in robbing store in
June, 1868, when they were suspicioned
by the police. Capt. Perry aud an officer
attempted 10 arrest them when the
robbers fired, killing Perry. The crime
was attached TO Moody aud for il he was
tried and sentenced TO death.
Both Calvin and Moody spent most of
: iast night with their spiritual advisers,
and friends and relAlives, each seeming TO
be resigned to the awful fate which awaited
them. At o'clock this morning, Galvin's
brother and sisters visited him for the last
time, and the scene was very affecting,
although Calvin exhibited no emotion,
hut was perfectly resigned, remarking that
all must die sooner or later-some one way
and some another He was attended by
Father O'Brien, Catholic clergymen, and
Moody by a colored minister. Up to the
moment of their execution each talked
freely in regard to their religious condi-
ton. Calvin was about twenty-four and
Moody twenty one years Of age. Every
precaution was taken to prevent a disturb
ance. About twenty Eve policemen, armed
with rifles, were stationed in the Jail yard,
y4nd large force outside.
Atl:3OP. M Sheriff Curry appeared with
tae prisoners, Calvin and Moody, accom-
panied by Father O'Brien and guard.
Galyid mounted the scaffold with firm
tread, x1d apparently without any fear.
Arrived rpon the scAfold, the sheriff read
the decision Of the court after which Gal
win united with Father O'Brien in prayer,
when Calvin, in response 10 question
from the sheriff whether he had anything
ito ssy, stepped forward and addressed the
crowd, acknowledging to having fired the
,fatGl shot, bat said he did ii in self Ssfense,
after which religious services were read.
CAlvin's arms and legs were piniOned and
the cap placed over his head, the moose
Nss adjusted, and at lao the drop fell
ARer hanging fifteen minutes the ply
sicisns pronounced life extinct, when his
body was cut Town and delivered to bis
brother.
Accompanied by ministers and officers
they assembled the step OF the scatold al
2:IO P. NJ. The sheriff read the destt
warrants and told Moody if he had any
thing to say TO do 80. Moody then, al
many times before, declared his.innocence
He warned all 10 keep out ofbad company
said Bedford WAS the man that fired tb
shot and that lac was going to die for tn
crime Of another, but expressed his willing
ness to die, having experienced religion
since his confinement. After which tn
,colored clergyman, Mr.. Revels, otfere
prayer and sang u hymn, Moody joining
in the latter.
Al the conclusion Moody's arms an,
iieas were pinioned, the cap drawn over h
head, and at 2:26 the door WAS sgsin DROP
iped. Fifteen minutes after life had lei
the body, which WAS then cut down an
delivered TO his friends. A Tumor pr
vailed yesterday that an attempt would
made TO Tescue Calvin when he W
brought from the jail, but owing probab
to the precsulion taken 10y Sheriff Cur
there wac no such attempt made.
One of the postofioe clerks, nam
Bowling, was arrested this evening, chsrg
with robbing the mail.