Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-05-30
NUMBER XXXVI.
Execution of a Negro Murderer.
A correspondent of the New York Herald
sends the following telegram dated IIn;on

Execution of Negro Murderer.
A correspondent of the New York Herald
sends the following telegram, dated Union
Monroe county, West Virginia, May 10Th:
William Johnston, negro, to-day expiated
upon the scafold the murder of George Ell.
hunter, white, committed on the Oath of Oc-
t0Der, 1870, near the Big Bend Tunnel. on the
chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, in this county.
johnston was jet black negro, not over TWEEN
tty.tWo years OF age. five feet eight inches in
height, OF stout build, with rather pleasing
countenance, and native of Louisa county.
Virginia. By o'clock A. NJ, people came
thronglng into town from every direction. most
| Y on horseback, but great many on foot
All the fences and available trees in town were
Hned, and horses and vehicles of everv de-
scrlptlon filled the streets. An impression pre
vailed, to limited extent, that the negroes at
Big Bend Tunnel would make an attempt to
rescue Buck, but the more sensible people
never gave 1t the slightest credence. In order
to be ready for any emergency that might arise
Sheriff McMann had summoned large euar5
composed mostly of ex-Confederate soldiers
who were armed with rifles, shot guns, and old
army muskets. When these were mustered
IN the main thoroughfares of the town at l2
A. NJ, "- -
fHk PRELIMINARIEs FOR THE TRAGIC EVENT
were we'll nigh completed, and the Sheriff, ac-
companied BY two deputies, proceeded to the
cen OF the condemned man to pinion him.
Ills shackles were stricken off and his arms
were tied behind him. In few moments the
condemned man made his exit from the iail.
supported by the Sheriff and deputy. The
throng around the Jail yard was immense
BUCK was conducted to wagon, into which he
was helped, and he took
A SEAT ON HIS COFFIN.
The piazzas of all the surrounding houses
were hlied with female spectators, and from
one, occupied exclusively by eolored women.
tnere came sound of weeping and waiing
which Affected the most hardened hearts pres.
ent. At the command of the Sheriff. the war-
on with its death freigh moved forward, sur
rounded and followed by the guard and surg
ing crowd OF one thousand persons male and
Iemaie This procession moved soemnly for
ward on its way to the gallows, over a rugged
road, and persons, irrespective of sex, were ell
bowed about In manner that indicated it was
every, man tor himself Conspicuous above all
was the condemned man in the wagon He
smiled and appeared cheerful until
THE MACHINE OF DEATH
came in sight. Then he appeared solemn and
thoughtful, and he viewed it with intense inter-
est. Arriving there, he assembled the scaffold
hrmiy, and took seat on chair, the only one
to be seen, The condemned man was then
asked by the Sheriff if he had anything to saw.
as then was fitting opportunity, over 5000
persons being present. He became visibly af-
d5! 5de5cted, and IN few minutes cried pitifully.-
IhlS so affected the women on the adjacent
knobs that general outcry followed
BUCK S ADDRESS.
Buck then stood up and made brief ad-
dress to the multitude. He said he deserved
his tate; that his sentence was Just In mo-
ment OF badness he killed Mr. Booker Hunter.
and he took from his person the sum of $5I. 40.
lie was there on the scaffold in the very pres
ence OF death, but they might hang him from
morning until night, twelve hours, and yet he
would not die. He might be strung up by
rope and they might pull his very head off, but
his body would still be alive.
AT the conclusion of this remarkable speech
colored preacher, assisted by a number of
men, sang hymn, after which Sheriff Nc
Mann told the criminal to stand up, and he ad-
Justed the fatal moose. The condemned man
trembled and shook violently. In the crowd
the excitement at this juncture was intense
Inc black cap was then pulled over the fea-
lures OF Buck Johnston, forever shutting out
the beautiful and glorious light of heaven. At
quarter past II P. M.
THE DROP FELL.
In the fall the body struck the edge of the
scaffold, and finger that was prominent had
the skin scratched off it. With the fall there
was wild Cry, followed by the weeping and
shrieking of number of women close by. The
body heayed convulsively for few moments,
and the lower limbs were drawn up three
times in succession. After this the commotion
in the crowd ceased. Pusation was over in
seven minutes, and life was declared extinct in
ten minutes. After hanging thirty minutes,
The body was consigned to the coffin already
prepared for it.