The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-08
TIE SCAFFOLD.
A Negro Hanged on New Years Day
AihgmInr Seene nt the EXecutiOn.

singular Scene at the Execution.
Augustus Holmes, mula.to, was hanged at
Tarbtro, n. c., on January l. for the MURDER
of Matthew King. correspondent OF the NeH
York Herald thus describes the scene az the
eXeCuuOD:- ,,,
n holiday with the negroes, large NUMBERS nau
throuped to town, as well to enjoy themselves
and make purchases AS to see the "hangln'."
These began to collect in the vicinity OF tne
sCqHold at an early hour, and by IL A. W.
Iaroe crowd were massed on the side from
which the condemned was most eAPose9 w
public view. The guard were stationed IN
regular order round the scanolu, ana ossiu9s
these a large number OF persons had Deeh az
mittcd within the iail-yard enclosure. Snorsly
a0er he was seated Holmes requested that some
body would pray for hlm, and at the suggestion
of a party near the cai sca1oio' tho as tennte tne
of the Catholic faith, Mr.. James
Michigan, a very venerable and respected llish
gentleman residing here, was asked TO make tue
desired prayer This he did, though probes
sional Baptist clergyman was present, ana as
ne rcpeated with uncovered head, his grey
locks shaken by the wind, the Lords prayer IN
all its simple beauty and purify, followed py
the Belief and another short prayer the scene
was exceedingly solemn and Impressive. But
this was not long to remain so, Ihe condemned
then asked that somebody would sing hymn,
and asked that Lard Chapman ana nus wite,
negroes, be sent Tor. This request was also
complied with, but while the messenger was
absent a number Of other negroes volunteered
To sing. Accordingly they came, men and
women, elm biug over the fences, splashlng
through the mud aud ascending the
scahold, until at one time there being
ten people upon the drop besides
the condemned, 'ears were entertained that the
rope by which II was suspended might give way.
One negro woman, who at first spoke calmly
enough, became leariully excited and broke
forth in an uncomfortable tit OF religious enthu-
sasm, which for while created quite a COM
motion. Then another religious enthusiast,
male negro, gave QUIZ hymn and invited all,
whether inside or outside the enclosure to come
forward and 'ine in de singin," which invita-
top many accepted, and the hymn was ehanted
with all the wildness and fervor peculiar TO
negroes. Another negro, a preacher, who was
ambitious aud did not wish TO be ecipsed, then
made Il semi-prayer and speech, which for
richness Of dialect and absurdtty OF English
pronunciation has no equal Nearly dozen
negro women had meauume ascended the
scahO!d, 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 murdered man, with her child IN her
arms, came spashing through the mud towards
the scafoId. She climbed the steps, and extend
ing her hand, shook that of the condemned
wgrmly, and told hlm she forgave him. Tue
scene was quite affecting. Again and again
Holmes, evidently unneryed, asked II he was
forgiven, being assured in the affirmative each
time. He shook hands with the child, little
girl about six years Of age, SAID that he mad
Killed lts ialeT, Tor NnlCl lie was sorry, dul
hoped God and every body else would forgive
him. These curious though somewhat solemn
scenes ended az the request OF the condemned.
Mr.. Phillips, his counsel, read from the scadold
the confession, which was heard by the
entire crowd. Thus, instead OF private,
this was one OF the most public executions
ever witnessed, LOtwiths standing the law TO the
contrary. IL was made an actual exhibition.
The scahold being cleared the Sheriff informed
the condemned that his hour had arrived, but
from the continued excitement OF the hour pre-
viOus, he was unable 10 rise to his feet without
quite an effort. The cap was then placed over
his head, but he asked that IL be removed tor an
instant to gain another glimpse OF the light OF
heaven. THIS was done, aud II was again re.
placed, forever darkening the earthly vision of
Gus Holmes. The rope was then adjusted, 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 iuncture the sheriff, who was some what
excited, as might be expected under the
circumstance said, "Hold on, Gus; you
won't be hurt.n negro had 20 be called to
the platform 70 support the sinking man. and
as he had TO stand clear OF the drop, Holmes
became In position leaning against him, entirely
helpless, his feet being towards the front o
the dTop. The consequence Of this was that
when the drop fell. the condemned lid of, the
knot having worked round 10 the back OF hl'
neck. stTaugulatlou was the result. The
conyulsive movement OF the lower Limos,
asting for nearly three minutes. Breathing
ceased I'm seven minutes aud a half pulsatioI
in twelve minutes, and in twenty minutes lie
was declared extinct by the att ending physi