Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-13
The Execution Of the Negro Holmes in
North Carolina.

Augustus Holmes, mulatto, was
hanged at Tarboro, North Carolina, on
January l, for the murder of Matthew
King. A correspondent of the New York
Herald thus describes the scene at the
execution:
New Years day being from time inn
memorial holiday with the negroes,
large numbers had thronged the town, as
well to enjoy themselves and make pur-
chases as to see the hangin." These
began to collect in the vicinity of the
scaffold at an early hour, and by IL a. m.
large crowd were massed on the side
from which the condemned was most ex-
posed to the public view. The guard
were stationed in regular order round the
scaffold, aud besides these large num-
ber Of persons had been admitted within
the Jail yard inclosure. Shortly after he
was seated Holmes requested that some
body would pray for him, and at the sug-
the condemned had embraced the tenets
of the Catholic faith, Mr.. James Mehean,
venerable and respected Irish gentle
man residing here, was asked to make
the desired prayer. This he did,
though professional Baptist clergyman
was present, and as he repeated, with
uncovered head, his gray locks shaken by
the wind, the Lords prayer in all its
simple beauty and purity, followed by
the Belief and another short prayer, the
scene was exceedingly solemn and i'm
pressive. But this was not long to
remain so. The condemned then asked
that somebody would sing hymn, and
asked that Hillard Chapman and his
wife, negroes, be sent for. This request
was also complied with, but while the
messenger was absent number of other
negroes volunteered to sing Accord
ingly they came, men and women, climb
ing over the fences, splashing through
the mud and ascending the scaffold,
until at one time-there being ten people
upon the drop besides the condemned
fears we're entertained that the rope by
which il was suspended might give way.
One negro woman, who at first spoke
calmly enough, became fearfully excited,
aud broke forth into an uncomfortable
fit of religious enthusiasm, which for q
while created quite commotion. Then
another religious enthusiast, male
negro, "gave out " hymn, and invited
all, whether inside or outside the in
closure, to come forward and zine
in de singin'," which invitation many
accepted, and the hymn was chauted
with all the wildness and fervor peculiar
to negroes. Another negro, preacher,
who was ambitious, and did not wish 10
be eclipsed, then made a semi-prayer
and speech, which, for richness of dialect
and absurdity of English pronunciation,
has no equal. Nearly a dozen negro
women had meantime ascended the scaf-
fold, and were engaged speaking to the
condemned, shaking hands with him, and
taking a last farewell Next followed
another hymn, differing little from the
one previously sung, and while this was
in progress Mary King. wife Of the muir
dered man, with her child in her arms,
came splashing through the mud toward
the scaffold. She climbed the steps, and
extending her hand, shook that Of the
condemned warmly, and told him she
forgave him. The scene was quite Affect
ing Again and again Holmes, evidently
urnerved, asked if be was forgiven, be-
ing assured in the affirmative each time.
BE shook hands with the child, q little
girl about six years Of age, said that be
bad killed its father, for which be vas
sorry, and hoped God and everybody else
would forgive him. These curious, though
somewhat solemn scenes, ended at the
request Of the condemned. Mr.. Phillips,
bis counsel, read from the seaffold the
confession, which was heard BY the entire
crowd Thus, instead Of private, this VS.
one fthe most public executions ever wit
messed, notwithstanding the Law TO the