The New York herald., 1870-08-09
TIE GALLowS m VIRGINIA.
Execution Of Yor Campbell Colored Man
Whisksy His Ruination, Heaven
His Destination.

CULPEPPER, Va, August 6, l870.>
On Wednesday, the Goth of December lsst,l
Pollux Patrick, an old colored man, highly re-
spected by all who knew him. was most brutalIy
and foully murdered by York Campbell, colored,
aged about twenty-five. The body was found in
piece woods on the Orange and Alexandria Rail-
road, near Mitches station. The head was bat
tered in and the throat cut from ear to ear. Tho
murderer after committing his horrible crime, fed
to Georgia, where a large number of Virginia
negroes had gone to work on the railroad. Ho
was soon traced up, arrested and brought to this
place for his trial, which took place in June last.
The trial resulted in the conviction of the
prisoner, who confessed his guilt. He was
Sc fenced to bs hung on the 9Th day of
August. On yesterday the solemn sentence Of tho
law was carried out. At an early hour the streets
of this usually quiet town began to be lined with
human beings (the negro element largely pre-
domnating) who were assembling from every
direction to witness the death agonies of their
fortunate aud ruined fellow creature. The laws
Of this State respecting executions require that
the hanging shall be within the jail walls, where
there are such enclosures. There being no wall
around tho jail Of this county the execution was Of
necessity public. As there very bitter feeling
on tho part Of the colored people against the
murderer every precauton was observed to
prevent disturbance Of any kind. Early in the
morning strong guard was placed at the Jail
and along the street leading TO it. AT half past
| eleven O'Clock Deputy Sheriff Prlddle summoned
| the prisoner, who came forth from his cell, Of.
tended by Rev j. B. Taylor, Jr, the white Bap-
| tist minister of this place who had been with him
all the morning, and who has visited him fre.
| quently since his conviction. The carriage con-
tanning the criminal oAicer1 of the law and tho
minister of the gospel, was surrounded by guard
Of one hundred mounted men, under the command
ofColonel Crttenden, who escorted it to the place
of execution, mile distant from the Jail. AS tha
solemn procession moved slowly on the colored
people In great crowds pressed closely to tho
carriage as possible that they might see the ap'
pearance and bearing of the poor wretch who was
soon to be launched into eternity. They were
| also stationed on fences and posts all along tho
line of march, frequently calling out their fare.
wells" with mournful voices and respect.
| iul manner. In no case on the way
! to the scatfold, and when at IL, was
| there any want OF soemnity. Probably an exc
cution never took place when everything passed
| or with less of disorder. The day was bright and
beautiful, and right in front of the gallows spread
out landscape Of enchanting beauty, while in
! full sight loom up in all their grandeur the glo-
| rious Blue Ridge mountains. Ono could but be
reminded Of those lines,
Though every prospect plcases.
The gallows was the usual kind, with trap door
| and bolt The doomed man ascended the steps
| quickly and apparently without trepidation, and
stood like statue while Deputy Sheriff Pridds
| adjusted the rope. When asked If he had anything
! to say he nodded assent, and In clear, ringing
notes, yet with that singing tone peculiar to negro
| exhorters, he acknowledged the justice OF his sem
tence and urged all to take waroing from his
his "ruinaton," and urged white and black to let
it alone. He then said that he had sought for
mercy from God, and that he trusted that bis sns
| had been pardoued for the sake of Jesus Christ,
| to repentance" and concluded with brief prayer
to God to receive his spirit. Rev. Mr.. Taylor then
stepped forward and offered an earnest prayer. +.
after which he bid the criminal goodby, shaking
his hand. York thanked the minister for his
visits and the interest shown in his spiritual well
fare. The Sheriff then took leave very kindly Of
the poor man and pinioned his hands and feet.
He then, having ascertained that all was ready,
gave the signal to Deputy Sheriff Fleming lanes
who pulled the bolt, when the trap fell, and he
who moment before stood In the full strength OF
manhood was dangling from rope In the death
| struggle. The neck was instantly broken, and
| York Campbell hardly moved after his fau With
the exception OF some slight muscular contrac.
| tion about the chest and abdomen.
The body was allowed to hang fifteen minutes,
when, having been pronounced dead by the jail
physician, DR.. Thompson, it was taken down, dc.
posted In the coffin and buried In tho open grave
which was In waiting at the side of the gai1ows.
There were numerous cries for pieces of the rope,
which one OF the deputies responded to as long
as an inch was left. One man, when asked what
| he wished with piece, said he wished it Ito
chaw 1t to keep toothache off," The crowd
slowly and in good order dispersed.
This county is new In oil Its glory and Is rapidly
recovering from the effects Of the war. The lands
are rich, and the people thrifty and Intelligent
and ready to receive every good man who moves
In, no matter where he comes from. Quite q
large number OF new comers have bought land IN
the county, and the land agents are kept busy.
|