The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-31

front Of the Jail increased MS the procession
went on, and by the time it reached the
scaffold it had swellcd into thousands.
From every side, and through every avenue
they came, young and old, male and female,
white and colored the latter predomina-
ting largely, however. The windows were
filled with human beings. On every hill
top commanding view of the ground ga
thcred knots Of people, and the sidewalks
were lined with them. Around the scaffold
it is estimated that there were about three
or four thousand persons.
THE sCAFFoLD
was erected in the valley at the foot of Poor
house Hill, and near the same spot upon
which Jane Williams was executed. \
square of policemen was formed around it
to keep Off the crowd, and none but the
privileged few were allowed to come within
the. lines. The scaflold was erected after
the usual order, and was the same intended
for Jeter Phillips. The rope was also that
obtained for that unfortunate young man.
The condemned was taken from the wagon,
and walked nimbly up the steps to the scat
fold. lie was dressed in blue check shirt
and 4 pair Of dark pants. He was accom-
panied by Jailor Brooks, Sergeant Mills and
his deputies, and his spiritual advisers. As
he mounted the scafiold he turned and
NlSNGu LllC CIohu TCl boHinso "
several whom he recognized. He was offered
drink Of whiskcy, but refused to take it.
DR.. Mills, the City Sergeant, then read to
him his sentence, and spoke to him in COM
mendation OF his conduct in Jail while
prisoner, and assured him that everything
had been done for his comfort while pri-
Soncr. Ic then asked him if he had any
thing to say to the crowd.
HIS SPEECH
Tyler responded by coming forward and
addressing the crowd as follows:
lam glad to see dis large congregation here
to-day. My brothers and sisters, am glad
to see you before me dis day; my last day
here. should tell you all around me | am
prepared to meet God. | say Pm prepared
to meet God. You hear mel / has 10
doubt I'm gwinc home. My way is clear.
I'sc sorry for what done, but it can't be
holped now. God has forgiven me. Bro
theirs and sisters, want you all TO forgive
me, and to know that I'm ready to go. |
wants every ono around me in dis large
congregation-white and colored, and alt
to forgive me. Voices in the crowd : g Ask
God to forgive you; don't ask us."l Pm
happy to see you. My way is certingly clar.
Pm gwine to God. Who gwnc wild me in
dis congregation? Voice: "I won't go
wild you, but I'll meet you dar."l l
amt gwine no whar else but heaven.
Pm not ashamed of God. You hear
nc? For lie has said dat whosomcver
is ashamed of Him here He won't own in de
kingdom come. I say Pm sorry for what
| Eve done, but it can't be holpcd now. You
what has been done. Pm prepared for dc
day dat's comm, and | won't be dead. You
hear itS Well, my last word is dis : has
, rout dc good fout. You understand me !:
| I has kept de faith has found i'll heaven.
Hear me! Didn't Itcllyou dar waSa crown
, in heaven for me? You will all honor me.
Farewell. Voice: Good deliver you."l
| Eve got hymn want you all to sing-cycry
| brother and sister here; and while dc Chris
| tianS sing wants dc sinners to look to God.
! You hear me! If you don't hear me, I'll
make you hear me. Iwant God Almighty
! to help dc people to sing. / amt got nu
! time to look at you all amy more, for il ! do
! I'll 90 to hell. Brethren and sisters, sing
regular.
lie then gave out hymn commencing
"Dcath don't make my soul afraid OF God
The negroes in the crowd joined with him
in the hymn, which they sang to 4 wailing
air with considerable effect. As they would
sing each verse, the condemned would cal
ont, 9 Brethren, sing regular" At the
conclusion of the hymn he exclaimed,
| Olt All, DICtIitli, ioI QNI ls
CLOSING SCENES.
A. the hymn was concluded the Rev. Mr..
Gladwin gave out the hymn "Show pity,
Lord As he was reading the hymn, some
one called out, ''Good-byc, Albert" He re-
spondcd, Goodbye tell Mass Jim Fm
gwinc home !; make all your folks pray,
children and all.
The hymn was sung in the same wailing
tune, and the effect produced by several
| hundred negro voices can better bc Imagined
| than described. Rev. Holmes then read a
portion of the third chapter of John. Rev.
| Bowie then cXhortcd the crowd Tor L few
moments, holding up to them the example
| they had before them. As he concluded, the
condemned babe his spiritual advisers, his
counsel, Mr. Thomas, and Mr.. Peter Law
son, one of his old masters, farewell. He
maintained his Indifference of dcmcanor
throughout, and still profcsscd himself
ready to 60. At seven minutes past they
all left the scailold, leaving the condemned
man alone with his cXccutioncrS.
THE EXECUTION.
| As the final preparations were made, the
murm,rs of the great crowd were hushed,
and all was rs still as death. The iron hand
cuffs were taken from the prisoners hands
| by. .,Jaior Brooke, who, with the assistance
OF Deputy Sergeant Bowie, bound his hands
and feet. The rope was then placed over
the black cap drawn over his face, the con-
deInncd was prepared TO be ushered into the
presence Of his Maker. During all this the
prisoners conduct remained unchanged
| There was that same stupid stare from his
eyes, the same meaningless grin upon his
face, and he stood to be tied rs i'll
differently as though he were being
dressed for his dinner. Not Il muscle OF
his face moved; one could not detect tho
slightest trcmor in his frame and he stood
like statue, awaiting the fall of the drop
Sergeant Mills and Jailor Brooke then de-
scendcd, leaving Deputy Scrgcants Bowie
and August on the scaitold with the con-
dcmncd.
The sun was pouring down its hottest
rays upon the large multitude present, but
they stood and endured with that foTttude
which always accompanies human curiosity
| to witness such scenes us this. The anxious
moment had arrived, and the crowd waited
in brpathlcss suspense for the signal that
was to deprive fcllow-bcing of his life
The dark figure upon the scanold has not
moved q muscle, and all eyes are turned
upon it. Suddenly, at exactly ten minutes
past /, sharp click is heard, followed by
the noise of the falling trap, and .
heavy thud. The form of the condemned
swings for while to and fro like pcndu
lum; but no movement was pcrccptible
save the slightest twitching of the lief,
thumb. The Indifference Of the creature:
body to the great shock Of the execution
seemed to have accorded with the indltler
ence of his mind to his approaching death
The body was left swinging until halt-paS
| 1 o'clock, when it was examined by Drs
james Dove and Z. ii. Smith, and fount
that death had been produced by the break
ing of the neck. The fall given was abou
nine feet. The body was soon afterward
cut down and buried near the spot where
Jane and John Williams were buried.
n,l,a nr.n,,.d thn,, lis1,nrSnl and the q Xrc Ii