The New York herald., 1870-06-18
HE GALL0W S.
Execution of a Negro Murderer
in Virginia.
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Particulars of the Crime Discovery and
Arrest Of the Perpetrators.
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The Trial, Conviction and
Sentence.
SCENES ATTENDANT UPON THE EXECUTION
KING GEORGE COURT HOUSE,, Va, |
Ipnn lGrn

KING GEORGE CorRT HOUSE, Va,
June II, 1870.
william Taylor, condemned negro felon, ex-
plated fearful crime on the scarod here to-day-a
cfime OF triple nature, comprising murder, arson
and robbery.
On the night OF the 26th OF March last shocking
aud atrocous tragedy committed In this county.
The circumstances were OF the most appalling char
acte and manifested on the part OF the perpetrators
o truly savage and brutal barbarism. On that night,
In the lower part OF the county, near place called
North Bend, on the Rappahannock river, store,
owned by young merchant named F. w. Payne,
was entered at the dead hour Of midnight the clerk
While Jett mere boy, murdered, the store robbed
and then, together with the body OF the murdered
boy, burned. Such an event, occurring In peace
ful neighborhood produced q sensation like thun-
der clap IN clear sky and the excitement through.
out the country was intense. AT early dawn large
crowd had assembled round the burned debris Of
the store, out OF which the charred bones Of the
poor boy were taken. Everybody cried for ven
geance; but yet no clue could be obtained as to
the perpetrators Of the foul deed.
ARREST OF THE PARTIES.
Soon, however, as murder Will out, the damnng
evidences OF guilt fastened suspicion on certain
colored despegadoes living in the vicinity, and war
rants were at obtained for their arrest. party
was at once organized here, and, being wei
mounted, they started for the or the outrage
Tie officer and party arrived at the burned store in
the afternoon and such disposition was at once
made OF the force TO insure the capture OF the rob-
houses Of the suspected persons, while another TOOK
detour 10 the river bank In order 10 cut or the
retreat OF any who might attempt 70 escape. 1t was
now night, and the avengers OF blood had not long
been in position when tnose at the river, IN the
shadow OF the overhanging trees, discovered boat
padding with muiled oars slowly down the river.
iuustfuctiy could be the boat which
was hailed when about twenty yards Distant Upon
this the men IN the boat at once sprang into the
river and began swimming for the opposite shore TO
escape capture. But their pursuers were not TO be
folled. Two Shots were fired at them from fowling
pieces, but they sttl continued to swim. Ii was al
this Juncture 1t was feared they would escape under
OF the darkness With great intrepldity, how
ever Captain Spilman ran out INTO the river which,
fortunately, was not Deep reached the boat into
which he got. and called 10 the men, whose heads
alone were above the water, 10 surrender, or he
would shoot them down. AS soon as the party al
tue houses heard the firing they rushed into the
houses and man ran past them who was fred at,
but without effect, and he escaped IL the darkness.
They at once hastened TO the river, and by their aid
the two desperadoeS who We're endeavoring TO
escape were secured These were found to be re-
spectively william Taylor and Warren Taylor, botn
large athletic coored men, and noted desperate
characters So fearuly excited were some OF the
captors that 1t was with difficulty the officers could
restrain them from
the murderers, who were consequently defiant and
1nsolent In their demeanor. The other man, who
was shot at while running from one Of the houses
where the gang lived, was George Miller, q young
negro thief, about seventeen years OF age, frequent
inmate OF the county Jail. In the boat was found
several bags Of merchandise OF every variety usually
to be found In country store, which had been taken
from the burned building. 1t was well known that
others were implicated in the outrage and portion
Search in dons Which n they nad % to make crcai n Of
many miles through the heaviest easterly rain storm
and darkest night ever experienced by any OF them.
BY next DAY all the persous concerned la the fendsh
act were apprehended and lodged in the jail here
under charge OF the keeper; The names OF the
Tny hary
Taylor and Reuben Hill. Upon examination 1t was
found that both the men taken IN the river were
wounded though MOI seriously phey at once re-
fgl Treatment soon recovered Soon afterwards two
OF the prisoners 81
CONFESSED
the crime. One OF them George Miller, the young
negro, said that he and William Taylor went TO the
store after midnght that ne was In the habit Of
being there at al hours and was quite familiar With
the little clerk Jett He found no difficulty in in
ducing the clerk TO rise and light his lamp for the
purpose OF selling him vial OF oil for sick child,
he said. AS soon as the door was open they rushed
In and attacked Jett Jet then ned through another
door into the road, endeavoring to escape. He was
pursued and beaten over tie head with a gun until
fnHenslbe or dying. He was then dragged into the
store still breathing and left there. The murderers
then went home for others to assist In carrying or
the goods, and after taking all they wanted they
saturated the door Of the storeroom with Kerosene
Oil and set 1t on fire. The store was situated on
afording every opportunity for the preparation OF
such q crime.
THE TRIAL
OF the criminals took place on the 5tn of May before
Judge J. b. Jett. recently elected, it being his
maiden court. He had stormy initiation. In ad-
diton to the seven cuIprts indicted for this crime
there was woman charged with inlanticide, all OF
these malefactors being colored.
The evidence was fun and convincing: for, besides
the open admission OF TWO OF the murderers there
were other ample proofs. Commonwealths Attor-
ney 7. G. s. Hunter conducted the prosecution with
marked ability. Able lawyers were assigned by the
Court FOR the defence, and during the trial the court
room was constantly crowded by an excited and
passed upon William Taylor, Warren Taylor and
George Miller. Fanny Taylor was sentenced to the
Pententiary for term OF fourteen years. Mary
Taylor and William Greer Tor terms of eight years
and Reuben Hill was acquitted. Since however, Gov.
ernor Walker has commuted the sentence OF George
Miller on account OF mis- youth TO Imprisonment for
life In the Penitenary and he has resplted Warren
Taylor for sixty days.
Prior to the trial and conviction OF these m,scre.
ants spirit OF lawlessness and violence prevailed
among the negroes in the entire section OF the North
ern Neck which eliminated In this terrible crime.
The arrest summary trial and sentence however,
had most sautdy effect In restoring law and order
but since :, the Communication OF the
tence OF Miller and the respite Of Warren
Taylor the negroes seem to be impressed
with the idea that they are licensed to commit crime
and and outrage with impunity. To-day they did not
your correspondent was regarded by some of them
as special courier with the Governors respite. On
the other hand, the mcst intense feeling Of indgna-
tion exists among the friends Of the little murdered
Jett, and, indeed, the entire community OF whites,
at the exercise of clemency towards Warren Taylor
and IL was strongly intimated that he would be for
ci0ly taken from the jail and iynched William Tay.
lor,
THE CONDEMNED,
is negro six feet high, broad shouldered Weighing
about one hundred and seventy-fye bounds, with a
repusve countenance, wearing the scow Of 4 saw
age and contour OF an animal In his expression ali
te worst characteristics Of the negro be at
glance combined with the ferocty and strength OF
Drute. Since his trial and sentence he has
had little to say with regard to the triple
CRIME he was tue chief in perpetraflng: but though
never denying his guilt. he has insinuated there
were otheIs connected with 1t as yet unknown. Lat
tery he became very penitent and last night he was
apJect Win oeectlon and fear. Every time he was
visited he was found on his knees PRAYING ear
nesty for salvation. 49,
THE LAST NIGHT
OF his earthly existence was passed reqess,v nd IN
prayer. This morning he was unable TO partake OF
a special breakfast prepared by Mr. Rogers the
sherin. Merely drinking the coffee which he said
made him feel better be seemed In a more cheerful
state OF mind than for a number of days mast and
m oa IN rio har