The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-13
THE GALLONS.
Execution or = Negro Murderer at Sd
vannah-The Crime and its Punish-
ment.


At nine o'clock on Friday morning last, Jesse
Watkins was hung in the jail-yard Of sa-
vannah, for the murder Of little white boy
named Charlie Wilson.
About tne first OF sopLembsr, 1858, Charlie
went out hunting, aud when about two miles
from Savannah came suddenly upon Jesse and
another negro, who had gone out to kill a COW.
Jesse. without any provocation whatever, shot
Charlie dead with o musket no had; then hid
tho body in the bushes, and carried of the de-
csased'a gun and accoutrements. Charlie not
coming home at the usual hour, his mother be-
came uneasy, aud search was commenced.
His body was not found for three days, al
thongh over q hundred persons were out
the murder. Jesse's companion turned States
evidence. AS tho case was carried through
tho various courts, other EVIDENCE was intro
accused. and il, May last Judge schlcy, Of the
Superior Court, sentenced him to be hung.
The cashier OF the krcedman's Bureau in Sa-
ylnnch interested himself very, much in COL
lectlne I testimony to provo tfIo innocence Of
duced Governor Bullock to twice respite Jesse.
But on last Thursday tho Governor, by telo.
graph, ordered tho execution.
The scahold was In the Jail yard to which
only the CLERGY and tho reporters were at first
admitted, bat alter awhie tho officers con-
sented that tho crowd outside should come in.
Ror. Fathers Hamilton and Laugaree oficiated.
NhSu thC SIOSS, bnc BACT6u cmDiem OF tho G.
ilgloE he had professed. was he'd up to him.
NO pressed bis lips upon it wi Ii n zeal, for the
momont, oblivious of all othor circum stances
OF surroundings. Father Hamilton then whis.
pefed tho last words in his ear and bidding
him good bye, to which jesse responded WITH
much feeling, descended few steps and ad-
dressed the spectators, saying: "The unfor-
tunatc man who Is now about 10 meet his God
dosires me 10 say that ho dies truly sorry for
oil his sins; that lie has prayed for you all. and
as bis soui goes into eternity, he desires each
OF you to soy short prayer for it's repose.
While Father Hamilton was speaking every hat
just before adjusting the cap, sheriff Doouer
say to those presently :" After moments % hes. ~
itation. the condemned man stepped iorwal d q
few worlds" then 10 the crowl-"Gentlemen,
this Is solemn occasion. feel that IL is Gods
Will for me to die. leave all in His hands; His
commands must be fulfilled. wish you would
ell pray for mes as have prayed tor you all.
am sorry for ell H,Q sias I may have commii.
ted. forgive every one. The man who swore
againet mes! freely forgive even him, and
have prayed for him."
1usted, the steps taken away, and the sheriff
asked, Jesse. are you ready7" 70 which he
fepiied: IN lond, firm ySice. ...'yes, sirl" The
oord that held up the trap. with q quick.
sharp fall, and dull thug, the body hung sus-
pended In nid-air, while the terrible struggle
Wild death began. Thouyh the fall was fully
soven feet, it failed to break the victims neck.
and death ensued from strangulation. For
few seconds, not the least motion was percepti-
Bile; then the arms drew up, tightening the
rope upon them almost to breaking the skin;
two or three violent efforts to expand the lungs
were followed by drawing up Of the lower
limbs, then all was still. and in two MINUTES,
to external appearance, the spirit OF Jesse
Watkins had left the body forever. The heart
still beat. however, full aad strong. At the
expiration Of ten minutes, the heart was stIll
beating at the rate OF forty pulsations to the
minute. Five minutes more passed, and the
surgeons pronounced life extinct.