Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-20


who we're distributed about the prison
and we're fully armed. A numbes Of
them we're provided with musksts. AL.
together the Sheriff's force numbered
about fifty available men.
MOODY.
Sam. Moody was born in LaGrange,
Tenn, on September lG. lSa9. and ives
brought to Memphis the same year, and
raised by A. J. Montgomery. In 1863 he
went to work in the Gayoso House, where
be remained as bell-boy for nearly two
years; from there he went on the river
as csbin-boy. He is about FIVE feet six
inches in hight, weighs about l2O pounds,
and is nearly black complexion, with
smooth face and lively black eye. He
has always behaved himself we'll since in
Jail, and lately made q profession of
religion. On Thursday, August IL, he
was baptised into the Baptist Church,
and appears reconciled to his fate. Up
to this time he declares positively that he
is innocent.
Moody was attended by DR.. r. A.
Revels, of Africa Bailey Church, and
another colored clergyman. Moody
would have been twenty-ons years old
next month. He was free to talk in re-
gard to his religious condition, and was
in very submissive frame of mind.
THE SITUATION AT ELEVEN O'CLOCK.
At half-past eleven the crowded. all
colors and sexes, on wagons, street cars,
buses, hacks and every conveyance i'm
aginable, began to assemble, and it was
with the utmost possibility to pass or
wend ones way through the crowd.
Arriving at the gate, where guard of
twelve or fifteen men were placed, with
muskets and bayonets, it was witt the
utmost energy that one could pass;
and it also required ell the strength OF
six or eight men to keep the gate closed.
All the offices of the Jail were filled with
women, both white and black, and the
yard with men and boys, to such
an extent as to prevent posi-
bility of passing with ease. Even
the houses surrounding on the north,
east, south and west, and the old
mill opposite the Jail, we're crowded; the
many windows, doors and roofs affording
but little room for the two or three thou
sand that took possession of the same.
At FIVE minutes to one o'clock the
police force of eighty men, even, marched
in front of the gate leading to the main
entrance, through which Calvin and
Moody had to pass, and, armed with the
Enfield rife, with bsyonets fixed, formed
in open rank; the object being to
keep back the intruding crowd and
to keep order. All parties were anxiously
awaiting the coming of the convicts, that
glimpse of their faces and bearing may
be had. Occasionally cheer or yell
may be heard from the outside, prompted
by the running away of horses, or thu
breaking down of buggy or the roof o
houses bearing the visitors.
GALvIs's EXECUTION.
At hali-past twelve, Calvin was brought
forth and led between the file with Father
O. Brien at his right, and at the same time
carrying himself with Arm aud steady
step, occasionally looking right and left,
as if to catch glimpse of some fend
and dear relative, OF some friend, who
could do him no good. When arriving
at the door, he appeared somewhat down.
cast, that he was to lead SO conspicuous
part, but on reaching the .tepl Of the
gallovs, be rssoyered his Armpess, and
walked forth looking abroad upon the
multitude that had come to witness his
ignominious death.
Upon reaching the top Of the scanold
Sheriff Curry commanded silence, but
that was a thing unknown to the outside
rabble-loud talkiag and laughing all the
time taking place by the blacks. The
Sheriff then began to read the death
sentence, which Calvin paid close atten'
ton to, but at the closing of each sen
tence seemed determined and willing Ia
meet his fate. He was then called upon
to make his remarks, which were, as
far as we could distinctly hear, thai
he had killed Policeman EeAtou, but
only IN seli-desense. That he was at
tackled, and had hoped, when arrested by
the officer, that the same would have
shown him some justice. he then hoped
the God of Heaven would forgive him
and closed his remarks.
Father o. Brien then read some service
provided for such an occasion by the
Catholic religion, for the term of ter
minutes, when all was pronounced ready
The cap Of black pil,eloth was then
placed over his head by Sheriff Curry,
and his arms and legs and feet pinionet
by Deputy Sheriff Garrett On being
lifted forward, Calvin remarked that they
we're not tight enough. Garrett ther
strengthened the feet, when be val
placed in the senter OF the door, and al
made clear. The trap then fell, and
Calvin fell distance of four or five feet,
breaking bis neck instantly. After the
fall eight quivers or death struggles