The New York herald., 1870-08-13

Execution Of Negro Murderers IN Mary
land and Virginia.
Story Of Their Grimes, Arrest
and Conviction.
Scenes and Incidents ut the
GallOWs.

Hanging Of Nimrod Richards at Marlboro,
Md.-The Crime Committed Four Years
AG0-Executi0u of Four Of His COnfeder-
Observation-Disclosures of the Murder--Trial and
| Execution of tho Last OF the Criminals
Incidents OF tho Execution.
MARLBORO Nd, August IL, 1870.
To-day the final penalty OF the law for murder was
visited upon Henry alias NImrod Richards. for par
tlcipation, with four Others In the murder OF Mr..
William Lvle a little over four years ago.
PARTICULARS OF THE MURDER-THE ATTACK.
On Saturday night, July Ia, five colOred men
| william Platter, Henry Lucketr, william Jones,
| Henry Davis and Nlmrod Richards-landed from a
| boat on the banks OF the creek which runs by the
| Lyes homestead. Jones was left In charge OF the
boat while the rem ming four proceeded TO little
| log house where Mr. Lyle was living at the time
| The mansion on the place had few weeks before
been destroyed by fire, and the murdered
| man ana his wife were temporarily residing In
| the outhouse before mentioned. Upon arriving
at the the negroes tried the door and found 1t
locked. They made quite noise which awakened
Mr. Lyle who in loud voice demanded to know
who was there. Without making any answer the
men forced the door, and while they were engaged
in this work Mr.. Lyle for the pur of obtain
ing his revolver which lying the foot o. the
bed. He had but placed his hand upon 1t when
simultaneously three pistol shots were fred from
the assuming party. one Of which took effect the
bail enterlny the he I'd of Mr.. Lyle penetrating the
BRAIN ana killing hln almost instantly.
The negroes iansacked the house and secured
large amount oil money which was on the premises.
With this they decanped unmOiested and made
good their escape. Mrs. Lyle, the wife OF the muir
dered man, succeeded In alarming the neghbor-
hood. ana soon number Of the friends OF the de-
ceased arrived. The news spread like wildfre, and
Intense excitement prevailed for miles around,
which continue iGr weeks as the deceased was ex-
tenSlvely known and beloved Every possible effort
was made to trace the murCerers, but Tor time it
looked as though they would escape, but singular
cifcum stance had the effect OF bringing the guilty
parties TO jus'ice.
ATTEMPT TO DISPOSE OF THE BOOTY.
About week after the murder negro entered
bank In Alexandria and rendered for exchange q
number of bis o. the Bank of the Old Dominion,
WIN ch arc scarce and but seldom seen in crcnla
The ca hier, who was acquainted with Mr.. Lyle,
happened to remember that the murdered man had
large amount oil tins money, which he was holding,
and II flashed aero h mind that there was clue
to the murder He gave the man an evasIve answer
In re,ard 10 the purchase Of the money and, under
pretence OF making some inquiries in regard to It's
value requested the negro to call In The course OF
senger to Mayor hafnam stating the 'G he
entertained, and The Mayor detailed two police
officers 10 proceed to house opposite the bank TO
watch the suspected party when he returned.
ARREST AND FATE OF FOUR OF THE MURDERERS.
The officers had scarcely taken their positions
when the suspect party, accompanied by another
colored man. returned, and after short parley with
the bank officers the policemen were called. they
OF Mr. Lyle. These were Platter and Luckett, and
after short time they confessed having parti pated
in rhe affair." and gaze such information d "a ,, as would
alter Jones and Davis were arrested, but Henry,
alias Nlmrod, Richards, had esca cd, and all search
above were tried In Marlboro in Septe nber. 1865;
wee found guilty sentenced, ana on Friday, No
vember 8, paid the penalty or their yillanouS
duct bv hang ng In the court house yard in Upper
Marlboro, Nd.
ESCAPE OF RICHARDS
1t would seem thlt Nimrod Richards, who, from
the statement OF his associates In guilt. was one or
the leaders IN the murderous attack, received nior
nation OF the arrest OF his o0fJserej in sufficient
time TO make good his escape, and reacaed Washing
ton, where he visited several persons, among wnoin
was woman named Ann Lee. who resided on l.
street, between sixth and seventh streets. To nor
he gave dress belonging TO Mrs. Lyle and three
spoons, which lie had stolen the night OF the
murder. The dress stained with b!o0l in seye.
raj places, for which circumstance Richards made
some excuse which disarmei suspicion for The
time.
PURSUIT AND CAPTURE.
The pursuit being continued with undated ylgor
the fugitive obllgel to start out on his flight,
and made such good use or his time as TO avoid de-
lection for over iour years But ''murder will out"
intelligence received py the Sheriff Of Baltimore
that the III ssing murderer was living la Boston,
Mass. Deputy Sheriff Hancock, OF Baltimore county,
al once procured requisltion from Governor Bowie
and proceeded to Boston and ELECTED his arrest.
HIS STORY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
TO Mr.. Hancock Richards told the story OF his
wanderlpgs acsnowledged his guilt. aud proessed
himself ready to accompany him TO- Maryland to
arranged, and on the 18th day OF March Richards
was lodged in the Baltimore jail to await his trial.
HIS TRIAL.
Early In April the murderer was brought TO Upper
Marlboro, about sixteen miles from this city, the
county seat OF Prince George county. In which Au-
burn, the scene OF the murder, Is located. On the
18th Of April he arragned IN the Circuit Court
but through his counsel asked for change or
poned until the first DAY OF June, when 1t took place
in Annapoiis before Jndge Oliver Miller. Hon.
the Ierence, and The trial was proceeded with.
| From the length Of time which had elapsed since
| the commission OF the crime. the absence OF some
of the material witnesses, and the eminent counsel
retained III his de ence, there slight apprelen
sion as TO the result Of this ta but his own state
| ment and other developments placed beyond all
possible doubt the fate OF ts bood-stained villain,
| and rendered his conviction sure.
His counsel laborci long and earnestly, and did
their best to clear him by all technicantes known to
| the Law, but their efforts proved unavaillng; his
| guilt was clearly shown and the sentence of the
Judge was tl!at nc should pay the penalty his foul
| action demanded. He sentenced to be hung in
Marlboro such time the Governor might direct.
He was then conveyed back to the county seat TO
| main until the Governor should make known the
| date OF his execution.
| DESCRIPTION. OF THE PRISONER.
Henry, alias Ninrod Richards, bright mulaito,
aged about twenty-eighJ years about SIX feet high
and stonIly builtIa g.ance at his counlee 81 anee M
| raised near Richmond, Va; had the advantage of q
| common school education. and was apparently an
Intelligent man. Since his trial he enjoyed excellent
| health was quite cheerful, and expressed himself
| perfectly resigned 10 his fate.
| He has been daily visited by Rev. Father Maher,
the Catholic Clergyman located In Marlboro Who has
been untiring in his endcavors to prepare him ion
| his dreadful death.
| THE DEATH WARRANT READ.
| On the 18th of July sheriff Frazier received from
the Governor the warrant for The execution Of Rich
once proceeded To The Jail and formally read the
| document 10 the prisoner who appeared perfectly
composed, made no dem9ns'eaon a. ana Metebea @ n1
to his religious duties, and protested to be perfectly
| reconciled 10 his fate.
| LAST NIGHT on EARTH.
The prisoner sncnt all yesterday in preparation