The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-20

employed 70 ferret out me murderer. With sys-
and ss which MSsid ,s 80
eGectually worked up' the whole case. taking
every circumstance, however trivial In its ma
tnre, until nc had complete chain OF the
tbat night the 18th Of october, Joaplson walked to
the White Sulphur springs, where he arrived the
following morning at four O'Clock, In time to take
the tram gong east and he arrived at Saunton, Va.
ON the 10th, the then home OF
Ills MURDERED VICTIM.
There he remained until the remains OF Mr.. Hunter
were taken home for Interment but with the
corpse came Its avenger In the person OF captain
Crone who at once arrested johnson and placed
nm IN lal TO await requistlon from the west Vlr-
gna authorizes. This was made on the stu OF
February, 1914, by Governor JACOBS. ana johnson
was taken to the jail here.
HIS TRIAL
took place at the March term or the Circuit Court,
AMI evidence was adduced in accordance with the
above narfau0D though IN more c0Mpiete anu
convincing form. Ten days before the trial, now
ever, johnson made iuil confession OF The bloody
decd Ile said he had Deen VISITED ny spirit which
had threatened him with
PERPETUAL UNREST
u he did not reveal all the circumstances OF the
murder. and thar believing il was better for his
SOUPS good he had made up his mind to DO ~.
Judge McWharter sentenced him to be executed,
concluding an Impressive ADDRESS on the OCCASION
with toe solemn words, "And may The LORD nave
mercy on your sour Governor Jacobs as the law
Of this State requires, issued his warrant Tor the
execution, designating to-day anu specifying De-
tween the hours OF ten ana two as the time the scat
folhs tragedy should take place.
Since his conviction aud sentence William J01n-
son, or, as he Is more commonly styled. Buck
Johnson, has most nnsnccessuly essayed the
ROLE OF A LUNATIC.
He raved, laughed immoderately spoke wildly and
became dunno as a mule; but all TO no effect.
Nobody doubts his perfect sanity, though the con-
Trajectory statements he makes ct times would
warrant the bellef that his mud Is unsettled II the
fact mat ne is playing the lunatic was not esab-
llshcd Not long since he playfully dasned pltcher
full OF wafer the face OF one OF the jaors assist
ants through the bars of his cell door, and az
hn slnctNR tn nrnh
the TAILOR himself-a manifestation OF affection
which that Oflcal declined. Even to-day Buck
scarcely Knew what lie said lreicrring to previous
conversational.
THE PRISONER IN HIS CELL,
This morning, In company with the JallOr, visited
The condemned man IN his cell. he was lying
stretched ordinary cottage Dcdsrcad, beneath
pair Of blankets and cOuntcrpane. There was
something OF startled look hls heavy black eyes,
and the muscles OF his lace twtched nervOusy as
the bolts OF the door were Withdrawn. when we
jaiOr announced me NJ the representative OF the
HERALD Buck became quite communicative and
the following conversation cnsucd--
CoRREsPoNpENT-Wcll. Buck, hope you are pre-
pared TO meet yOnr fate.
BucK-On yes; suppose they are bound to KIN
me.
CONSEQUENTLY you acknowledge your sen.
IeDce 10 be justY
BUCKEYES; they all tried to Kill me round here.
Every man IN town went Tor Inc and tried to shoot
me.
BUCH--The Sheriff himself ran away SO that
others could shoot me, ana Mr.. Hunter brother OF
the murdered man) tried mis- best to shoot me when
] was taken to tue Court House to ne tried.
Observation-Disclosures did not shoot ut your
BuCI-No sab; canse he didn't get q chance.
CORRESPCNDENT-YOu know you are alone answer.
able Tor your crimes
BUCK-No, sab; belonged To white man. both
before and during the war, and he was then repon-
slhle Tor my hereafter. Alter the war WAS made
free, ana then President Lincoln ana President
Grant became responsible for me. ON them the
responsibility of this charge rests. II killed that
man knew no better, and they are TO blame.
OoKKEs PoNDGAr-Ihat IS mistake, Buck; yon
would have met with the same punishment AS u
slave for murder.
BUcK-No, sah If had been slave this never
army un,il the snrenuer but IL would have been
the same II l was III the Yankee army
NEW 0oLoEEp VIEW or Ea a ,nnn ,rsor,
was blessing to the coiored people,
tner lives. They are not able TO protect themselves.
the white people nave no use Tor them since they
became free, anu they arrest them and try them
and hang them as they please. When they were
slaves lie white man protected them.
CoRIEsroNDENT-But they can take care OF them
selves now.
BuCK-NO, san; they ave not nj 10 take care VI
themselves.
Observation-Disclosures. you know you are TO die
to-day. Have you prayed for forgiveness
Buckeyes. san; have prayed. prayed that the
Almighty would send streak OF lightning down
aud Cut my BODY in two.
ssroSDENT-nave you no hope OF being
savedf
BUCKEYES, sab. have done prayed and done
all that could do. They are bound TO Kill me and
that IL all they can do When | am gone hope
they VIII he satisfied.
This ended my conversation with Buck and after
thanking me Tor calling he adjusted the blankets
ana Withdrew ana left him.
THE ScAFFoLD
was a miserable structure, situated In Moses Ho-
low, about half mile distant west OF the town in
mountain gorge, and, consequently public. Moses
Hollow Is Familiarity known as the place OF public
executions. II IL forty years since there was an
eculion III Monroe county, and the present one drew
mountain merging into the gorge stood the scaold,
the earth making the hypotnenuse Of rignt angled
triangle ero WIN IN, ane paST ana hs drn man , aprgas
fall OF over feet, but the criminal could easily
walk the rear Of the PLATFORM which was scarcely
q foot high from the earth, and thence forward 10
the drop
STICKS LAST NIGHT.
Last evening the jaller sent Buck "a sumptuous
pressed desire to eat some deiicaces for the last
time on earth. soon aiterward an attendant car
rytDg 0 tray laden with eataDes entered the cell.
Buck cat with all the relish and appetite Of man
VINO mad an indefinite lease OF life.
HIS SUPPER
consisted of seven hot rolls. TWO small fish, some
ham, one piece or peach pie, one piece or custard
pie, some pound cake and nearly a quart OF codcc.
when Buck had finished his meal, the only vestige
that remained Of all This was a fragment Of a roll.
This morning the sun rose bright and clear IN an
almost coudiess sky, dspellng the white mists, and
gence never was shed upon more magnificent pic
Iure than tue little valley In whose bosom
sight to be seen once in lifetime ana then
never To be forgotten. But away down to the right
hidden by surrounding hills, spurs ana the beautiful
foliage OF the trees, WAS Moses Holew, which for
the present invited the attention of the visitor from
the gorgeous beauties OF the landscape, ana the i'm
pending tragedy marred the delightful prospect.
AMONG THE PEOPLE
here the execution had interest whatever as
both the murdered man ana the murderer came
from q considerable distance In neghboring State
and both were utter strangers. Notwithstanding
this, however. mere was an Immense crowd present.
By nine 4. Nj. people came tlr0nging into town
from every direction, mostly on horseback, but a
great many on foot. All the fences and available
trees In town were lined and horses and vehicles OF
every DESCRIPTION filled the streets. An Impression
prevailed. toa limited extent, that the negroes AT
Big Bend Tunnel would make an attempt TO rescue
Buck, but the sensible people never gave 1t the
slightest crcdcnce. In order 10 be ready for any
emergency t.at might arise Sheriff McMan had
summoned large guard, composed mostly OF ex-
Confederate soldiers, who were armed with rifles
shot guns aud old army muskets When these were
mustered IN the main thoroughfares or the town at
eleven A. NJ