The New York herald., 1870-01-13
THE SCAFFOIaD.
Execution Of Charley Humphries, Coiored,
at Columbus, Miss.-His Confession
The GallOws Tree Limb.

From the Columbus MISSY index, Jan. 81
The murder Of John McDanie last M rear u iresn N
old man universally esteemed BY every one. white
quietly returning 20 his home from thls city where
he had been to attend to some bustneSS-a man VINO
was not supposed to have an enemy IN the world
was snot in the back while riding in his buggy along
the roadside for hours awaiting his victim, load
ing his weapon while awaiting, and when
he passed stealthily following behind tns
a r.ft ana then the left to get good aim; finally
gong Immediately behind and seizng the waeel 70
stop It, unbuttOning the curtain and placing Bhd
pistol against MS back and dlscharging the contents
into his heart. He was found lying IN his ouggys
few hours afterwards, his horse having been turned
in the road that the fend could get W his p0ckeR
to rife them. ..ass....s.r
Tom Barry was arrested, and search for testt
Humphries mad been lying around the neiRhbor
hood. He was arrested after some difficulty Dy Cap
ciothes the tracks, pistol mis- presence near tnl
place on the evening and many other circumstance
pointed to nim az the sa guilty ,r,y party ~ two ,,,.
seemed to take especial Interest IN his acquta one
OF them even consulting with lawyers for his
defence The same party attempted to get on ths
Jury and nothing but the searching inquiry OF the
late Charles II. Crusoe prevented It There would
sworn that he had not formed or expressed an opin
Ion In regard to his quit or Innocence when there
were members OF me bar IN as presence 70 whom NJ
pTovs es na9sg was innocent ana nc '0u'
Iader that this man tMcIlean, procured o negro.
whose name we withhold 70 do the deed, and tnaL
he (Humphrics) was innocent
had been complied with and every plea tnat Mercy
could make m his behalf had been exhausted. he
sentenced and that sentence carried into execU
tion yesterday in the jail yard.
THE DAY
was chilly and disagreeabe, heavy gray clouds ob.
mcnse crowd from collecting TO witness the scene,
q large number of whom were negro women and
who commenced to come in by ten O'Clock.
TEE PRISONER
ate but little breakfast At ten o'clock the reporter
Rev. DR.. Lyon. His appearance was haggard, With
wild, vacant stare about the countenance that lns
dicated fear. Upon being mterroaated lie again de.
MED committing the deed and oecllned making any
statement In regard to 1t until the 'time came"
when he would nave much to tell.
was erected In the yard in rear OF the jai-the rope
beng thrown over the limb OF tree near the jail
one end OF Which rested on the platform at the TOP
OF tie Jail steps, the other resting upon an upright
plank to which was attached rope; the pulling ol
this rope caused the plank upon wnlch the prisoner
was to stand to drop.
A few moments before two O'Clock the prisoner
made confession to his spiritual advisers, after
which he signl1ed desire that Colonel Baker and
oSnd on 5 ios ssna sU aSe on a
surrounded by Dr. Shaer and two colored ministers.
his counsel ana the police. His head had been
neatly co,abed ana his dress changed He stated III
substance that Mr.. MCDANIEL was unknown to him.
that he had only seen him once before and that was
Oh the morning OF the killing; that he mad been
about the Barry place for two or three days. and had
made or was going to make arralgemenIs 10 farm
going to rent land aud buy mules; that Tom Barry
told him That he could buy the mules II he could cOk
lect what was owing to him; tnat there was Yam.
kee for whom he had worked, who oweu him and
who passed the road ana whom he intended to XIII
II he did not pay him; tnat the man would or had
the road in tue evening as he returned
from town and See hun; thac he was "a
ieaee aiter dinner @ that ne had pisto % and Tom
double-barrelled shotgun; that Tom gave him
ammunition to load the pistol; Tom quit work at
wa,ched Tor his victim; that when they saw MIN
coming they went down the road and took their
and Tom one about thirty feet below him; that he
was to fire and If he missed, Tom was to make sure
OF MIN; that when he passed ne FREQ aiming at the
ana Tom caught him and proceeded to rifle hia
pockets. They were to divide ihe booty, but imaG.
Tom with the body.
He was interrogated as to McLean's connection
with IT, and SAID That Mclean had some mules ana
horses hid cut there, and knew about 1t, and pro.
missed to help him out OF Jail, II he would not tell on
him. that Tom 1! Barry and McLeanwere M acting s TO-
sion now tnat he got from Mclean.
After making these statements q long black gown
was placed upon linn and song given out and
sung; then followed prayer by Rev. Mr. Bolcn the
negro member elect Of the Legislature. At the con.
cusion OF tle the prisoner begged young Mr..
which was done as well as could he under the cir.
Cun5tances
The prisoner was now marched down to the scaf.
fold, where the rope was placed around his neck.
HIS SPEECH.
MY FRIENDS-Herc am before you, not only one
or Two, but many. This is the last time tnat my
voice win be raised In your hearing. Some OF you
aa a vSc O
tell you ali that there IS but two places to dread
90 not dread guns or pistols, but the Judgment He
that rejoices at my misfortune has himself 10 appear
glory ; Il was s the devil that made me commi. this
HIS Judgment might be vindicated; Tor when the jan
was broken open and others escaped had to stay
sS s ge S Goa a@ am
but that is only stepping the other side OF J0r.
dan. l want to be reconciled to God and It
Is this reconciliation that makes me dread hanging.
White folks must obey the law. i have seen white
folks put In this jail as bad as me who got out by
God, and let my friends look out for those that
am gong to leave behind me.
Rev. Mr.; Scott, coiored here interrupted him and
gave out the following song, which was sung by the
coiOreu pOrton OF the vast crowd:-
Why do mourn at deaths aarmsy
While the song was being sung he looked quite
negro deputy sherifs by his side. Aiter the song
was over he called Captain Humphries and spoke 10
hn, but we could not hear his remarks.
At the request OF the captain he stated to the crowd
that he had killed Mr.. Mcdaniel to get money TO
carry on 1arm. He also requested some one to tell
his wife that he released her from alliobiigaons TO
hm, and that she was at liberty TO marry whom she
pleased He refused to let the physicians have hls
body, but wished his wife to get 1t.
Aiter Offering silent prayer, at two minutes to
three O'Clock the trap fell and he died without u
struggle. lis body was cut down IN thirty minutes
liie being extinct.
ARREST OF THE IMPLICATED ACCOIPLICE
Immediately after the execution of Charley Hum
phrles, yesterday evening" Tom Barry, colored was
arrested and confined 10 Jail upon charge OF aiding
ana aDettiDg III the murder oil Jonh Mcdaniel.
with YOUR CoNsENT"--A SPlRITUALfsTIC MAR
BIAGE-A correspondentsof the south haven (ulch.
lsanl Seatlgtel gives the following particulars OF
recent spirituastic marriage at Breedville:-.
Tns IS said to be progressive age. ana we were
most happy TO see IL verified On che I'd Inst In the
marriage at the residence OF Mr. and Mrs. Wells
Brown, or Mr. william Knowles and the well known
ana popular speaker, Mrs. Frank Reid.
IC was expected that Sister Horton would
oiiiciate upon the al.iInportant occasion, but
she was prevented by Illness. Under the Cir
cumstances 1t was decided that tho next best
thing would be FOX the parties to marry themselves.
Accordingly, after few moments' consultation the
Following ceremony was repeated by then and legal.
ized by Justice HurlbuIt:--