The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-29
EXECUTION OF THE FRIEND MUIR
DERERS. ''.-
Scenes nnd Incidents at the Scaffold-Large
Concourse OF Both Races Present-They De-
clare Their Innocence to the Last. lirf....,'-.
[From the Enquirer's Correspondent


[From the Enquirer's Correspondent y
Arriving at Petersburg, it was with diff.
Guilty procured conveyance to this place
seven miles distant, where the sentence o.
death was to be carried out--every possible
conveyance having been engaged the day
Previous reached the scene of execution
by the Prince George stage road, in about
II hours ride, passing on my way through
scenes of historic note in connection with
the late war. | saw the road swarmine
with squads of white and black humanity
vending their way in almost breathless
haste to the spot where the two assassins
were to take their last farewell of all things
eartherly--even as they may be seen along
the roadside during any of the holidays,
eager to be spectators in the last drama oil
life oftheir fellow-creatures ; and to one I'M
informed it would seem that there was some
grand festivity to take place. Wagons and
vehicles loaded with living freight, pedes-
TRANS and persons on horseback, were all
bound in one common way.
The facts connected with this atrocious
murder your readers have already been
informed of through your columns. The
negroes under sentence OF death-Richard
0Itcll ttllu w llldilt llCllIJ CODllSOu-Wdy-
laid and murdered Mr.. Charles Friend, an
old and respected citizen of Prince George,
upon the highway during the night of March
oath last. They had been once respited,
but this time all efforts had failed.
The Jail is small wooden structure,
containing four rooms, with wooden fence
in front eleven feet in height, and extending
about the same distance forward. The
scaffold was placed in the right hand corner
of the enclosure, extending some four feet
above the level Of the fence, thus giving
those outside full view of the condemned
previous to the drop fall, and making the
scene public to ali. The gallows was a
well-constructed piece of work, consisting
Of two doors or drops, supported in the
centre by cross beam, which rested upon
slight prop, to which the cord was adj
justed, and when pulled at the signaled
time all fell, being so built that both vic
Tins met their fate at once. ~
As precaution to preserve order; q rope
was extended entirely around the jail to
keep the large mass back, and a special po-
lice force was sworn in, though there was
little fear entertained of any attempt at res
cue being made, which had heretofore been
anticipated.
The condemned men arrived in Peters,
burg this morning by the o'clock train
from Richmond, and were immediately con-
yeyed to their earthly parting place in
charge of the sheriff and an escort of twelve
men. There was large assembly of ne
groes present at the depot to witness their
transfer to the conveyance. The taller of
the two (Green) evinced considerable fear.
<xx.1 Tol...
son remarked, "Don't cry for me, but for
yourselves; | am prepared to de-"
The condemned men passed their morn
ing in company with two coiored divines
(Atwell and Givens, of the Episcopal and
Methodist denominations), making peace
with their Creator, and preparing for the
world beyond, upon which they were now
on the verge of entering.
AT l24 o'clock the harsh sound of bolts
and chains could be heard, the doors OPEN
ed, and there was presented to our gaze
these two beings who were soon to suffer.
With arms pinioned in front, they steadily
and calmly proceeded up the steps Of the
scaffold in charge of the sheriff and depu-
ties, each taking the chair assigned him,
which had been placed there for the pur-
pose. They We're then asked if they had
anything they wished to say.
johnson, who was the first to step for
ward, Enthusiastically stiffness exclaimed:
my friends and brothers, take warning by me.
am about to be executed for the murder OF Mr.
Charles Frisnd, of which am innocent. Take
warning nom the life have led for have led q
bad life, and am only thankful that have not
been taken OFF suddenly, but have had time to re-
pept, and make my peace with my Maker. ! am
prepared to die, and hope to meet you all in hea-
yQY, nm n t1t1n fhar. II crrI
innocent, and never murdered Mr.. Friend or any
body else. Good bye, brothers and sisters.
Green then stepped forward, and bidding
all adieu, repeated what johnson had said
almost Uerbdtina.
They were then reseated the clergyman
read portion of the burial service of the
Episcopal Church; and before taking leave
of them, asked johnson if he had any mes
sage to leave, or anything he could say by
which to throw any light upon the murder
ers, if he was innocent, when he answered,
No! The clergymen then took their fare
well leave.
The doomed men were made to advance
upon the drop, the nooses We're adjusted
about their necks, and the rope skillfully
tied over the cross-beam by some expert
volunteer. Their legs We're fastened and
Vic uletSh Sdpo tilSii uiuWu cfcf tIiclI uctuS,
at which moment johnson spoke out in a
loud voice, Green repeating after him, 81
am innocent; | never killed Mr.. Friend or
no other man."
AT q quarter to l o'clock sharp click
might be heard, followed by heavy thud,
and two mortals were launched into eter1l-
ity. The fall was one of about five feet,
and to all appearances broke the neck Of
Green, while johnson seemed to be strang,l-
lated. The contortions of the bodies were
awful to behold, and some minutes elapsed
between the time they took their fall and
passed unto death, leaving this dark and ter.
rible deed, for which they suffered, still 4
mystery.
The Charlottesville Chronicle has, by {
mathematical calculation based upon re-
liable statistics, ascertained that, in thirty
three years from the promulgation of tn,