Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-08-19
The Gallows In King George County.

MONTROSS, w ESIMUhELAND w., "a,
Aug. Is, 1870.-It is remarkable occurrence
that after, lapse OF more than forty years,tho
exact period having escaped the memory OF
the Oldest inhabitant of the county, since the
public execution of capital punishment upon
criminal in King George, two such terrible
scenes should have transpired there recently
within the brief space of few weeks.
On tho 18th of June last William Taylor,
colored, cxpiated upon the gallows the crime
of murder committed the Goth of last March
upon the person OF white lad named Willie
Jet, and on yesterday at the same gaows
and with the same rope, Warner Taylor,
twin brother of William, was hanged for par
ticpation in the same crime.
The crowd 10 attendance was much smaller
on this than on the previous occasion. Very
few colored people were present, owing, 1t was
said, to the impression made upon the minds
Of many of them that Warner was innocent
was informed by prominent colored man
that FIemine and Dunlap, the colored clergy
men who assisted in the religious services at
the execution of William, were absent for this
reason, and they no doubt Influenced many
others to stay away.
In company with Rev. W. T. Balm. enter,
ed the cell of the prisoner about II clock
His vile was with him and had just flnlshea
dressing him for the gsllows. He was seated
upon his bed, and seemed to be entirely COM
posed. Mr.. Balm engaged him at once In con
versation upon his spiritual condition, but
elected very little during the interview that
was satisfactory in evidence OF proner change
Of heart, The prisoner manifested little In
tellipent appreciation of the subject of religion
and was evidently more disposed to talk OF tenn
poral than OF spiritual matters. | asked him to
give me an honest anu truthful statement OF
his connection with the crime OF which nc had
been convicted, assuring him that 90 earthly
power could then arrest the execution OF his
sentence, and for the sake of truth be ought to
make full comics sion so far as he was guilty.
He said he had no change to make IN his Tor
mer statements that he had nothing to 30
with the killing of Jet or with the burning or
Paync's store that lie knew nothing even OF
such plan on the part Of others, and that ne
had not seen George Miller, who testified
against him, since Christmas, until he was
brought to Jail as prisoner.
At II o'clock religious services conducted by
MIR. Balm, were held at the front door OF the
Jail, including a funeral discourse delivered
from the text, ut man die, shall lie ll7e
again p
At the conclusion ofthis service, the prisoner
was escorted, by strong guard under the COM
maud of Capt. John A. Billingsey, to the
gallows walking steadily the whole distance
several hundred yards, AS he approached the
steps leading up to the platform, he turned hE
head to look back and seeing his vile who had
| been following a short distance behlrd ne took
| off cloth cap he had been wearing IN prison
and tossed it over his shoulder to her. His
manner upon the gallows was very different
from that Of his brother who had acted SINH
| lar part upon the same spot short time before
| While William seemed calm and composed,
and manifested no feeling OF alarm, yet he wa:
properly devout during the prayer that wa;
offered and appeared deeply impressed with
the solemnity OF the ordeal. But Warren bore
himself with frmness that betrayed lndtter
ence. During prayer he sat upright IN his
chair and gazed about upon the crowd, mean
while chewing bits of wood and splitting care
lessly around. After the reading Of the sen
tence by Sheriff Rogers lie arose and spoke
clearly and distinctly, reiterating the state
ments previously made, and before concluding
be supported himself lazily by grasp OF hi:
right hand upon the rope that was hanging
over him. And once he stopped and picked
from the platform of the gallows pencil thai
| had dropped from the Sherif's hand. Jus
before the rope was adjusted, he turned and
| nodding to his wife who was seated upon tho
ground near the scaFold Lo said good bye
Margaret, "and to his neice, good bye, Ann
I bid you all long farewell don't griev.e
after me-" He received the rope about hi:
neck and the cap over his face with the same
air of indifference, and at eight minutes pas
one o'clock suffered the full execution Of the
death sentence. In less than three minute!
after the foil, all signs of life had ceased, anc
after hanging twenty six minutes the bod wa:
deposited in its coffin aud sent away by the
Sheriff to be buried at the county p,or house.
Sheriff Rogers discharged the unpleasant
duties of his Office with his usual care ant
promptncss, and received, as he deserved
many expressions of commentator for tht
good order preserved on the occasion. Fev
counties are supplied with SO good public
officer b,
Letter from WestmOreland Co.