The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-13
THE GALLOWS.

TO Death.
The Memphis Avalanche of the 10th instant
has an article which we condense as follows:-
The first judicial execution which ever oc-
CURED in the county of Crittenden, Arkansas,
opposite Memphis, since 1t was organized, took
place yesterday. The wretched victims of the
scaffold were John Roseborough, who was con-
victed at the last term of the Judicial Circuit
Court of the county of the murder of William
Freeman, last Christmas eve, about mile from
the town of Marion, between four and five
o'clock In the afternoon; and Henry Harris, who
was convicted at the same term of the court of
the murder of John Bell Crockett, at Bradley's
Landing, about twenty miles above Memphis,
on the oath day of December last. The execu-
tion was witnessed by nearly fifteen hundred
people, the great majority of whom were
colored.
RosEBoRoUGH AND HIS WIFE.
Roseborough's wife, young colored woman
about twenty years of age, with heavy features
of the true African stripe, came through the
yard, accompanied by Sheriff Hardin. She was
told she could have a few minutes private con-
versation with her husband and she approached
the bars of the inner door.
SCENE OF TERRIBLE EXCITEMENT.
Half an hour previously an assistant turnkey
named T. @. Manus had entered the corridor for
the purpose of guarding the culprits. Mrs.
Roseborough had not been in conversation with
her husband more than five minutes when
SCREAM UPON SCREAM
came from the place between the doors in which
she was ensconced mingled with cries of
'"Sherif Hardin! Hardin! Hardin" The great
est commotion ensued, the Sheriff rushed to the
spot, Mrs. ROseborough half rolled down the
steps in front of the door, shrieking and trem-
bling with alright, while at the open barred
door appeared Manus, the turnkey, with the
lower portion of his face and his white shirt all
COVERED WITH BLOOD
and an ugly cash in his upper lip, which was
literally cut in twain. The door was quickly
unlocked by the Sheriff, and Manus leaped out
bespattering the portals of the door with his
blood, like person escaping from a den of en-
ragged animals, while the two culprits retired to
the upper part of their cell.
Manus was taken into the kitchen, where Dr.
Grigsby examined his wound and pronounced 1t
not of very serious character, although it was
bleeding profusely. 1t was then ascertained that
Manus had made some remark while Rosebo-
rough was talking to his wife, and that indi-
vidual turned round in passion and SHE'D
half brick in his face, inflicting the wound above
referred to. It Is not known whether his wife
handed the missile to him through the BARS but
certain it Is that she exhibited the greatest anx
iety to get outside as soon as possible. Above
all the confusion which ensued Harris was heard
shouting frantically in the cell-'I am an inno-
cent man. and by the everlasting God you will
never hang me.
WILL NEVER 60 ON THAT sCAFFoLD.
will be shot down first in my tracks," He was
excited and nearly frantic, and with Rosebo-
rough had retired to the upper end of the corri-
into fury, they stood at bay. The Sheriff evil
IDENTIFY regretted that he had taken the handouts
off his desperate prisoners, which he only had
done out of genuine ind-heartedness, being
anxious to make the men feel as comfortable as
possible. He called for half-a-dozen volunteers
to enter and secure the men. Volunteers stepped
promptly forward.
They stripped off their coats and fearlessly en-
tered the corridor, accompanied by Sheriff
Hardin and his brother. The officers had not
been couple of minutes inside when the noise
as of fearful scuffle was heard inside the cor
ridor, mingled with the cries of "Down with
| In another couple of minutes Roseborough came
| tumbling down the steps, securely guarded,
| with his hands securely strapped behind his
back. He was followed by Harris, strapped and
| guarded in a similar manner
| Sheriff Hardin then said, turning to Rosebo-
rough, "John have you anything to say to the
crowd? If so, you can say 1t now. will give
| you fifteen minutes"
CONFESSION OF RosEBoRoUeH.
/ have tried all could to get clear OF this
punishment; but have not been able to do so,
and will now tell you all here that
| lam THE MAN THAT DID THAT MURDER.
(Sensation, and loud cries of "oh! OH" mingled
with groans.) Yes am the man that murdered
old man Freeman, aud cannot say whether he
has gone above or below. 1 did what could to
save my life, but the Bible says that he that
slays shall be Stayed again. All, poor me, muir
dered that poor old man for his money, and
must die.
DID 1T WITH AN AXE.
(Great cries of ''Uh! oh. obi" and "God have
mercy on your soul" "amen," etc.) Yes; l did
it with an axe. To do this, and to tell this, IL
bad but must tell 1t. Let me tell you, sisters
and brothers, not to depend upon any one, but
to depend on God, who will take care of you
(Cries, 'Yes he will. Bress de Lord."O If ]
had done so that murder would never have beer
done, and would not have been here to-day.
tried to escape getting, this rope around my
neck. Now wish to tell you colored folk wha
will do them good. | want you to put your trus
in God and not in man, and
DON'T TRUST YOUR WIFE
when you go to do wrong. The Sheriff will MOI
allow me to speak any more.
HARRIS PROTESTS INNOCENCE.
Harris rose up from his sitting position, say
My friends, 1 am innocent of the deed which
has been put upon me. 1t has troubled me
great deal, SO that could not pray, and /
seemed as If / had no friends in this world. q
with all my sins on my head, but believe vii
GO INTO EVERLASTING LIFE.
("God bless you" 'Amen." "The Lord
bress you.'O l tell you / am innocent; Coz
knows that l am innocent, but the people will
not believe It, and therefore l can tell you
welcome death. (Seasatien) would like
new trial on this case, for am an innocent man
Sheriff Hardin intimated that his time was NJ
and Harris sat down.
All were calling on God together for mercy
as the Sheriff poised sharp axe In his hand
with firm well-directed blow he severed tn
rope which held the end of the trap.
THE ''DRoP" FELL
like flash, the wretched men descended wit
''thud" and rebounded back. For couple @
minutes there was strong muscular action G
the knees of both, twitching of hands an
shrinking of the shoulders.
| Three minutes later the hearts OIL both cease