The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-29
THE WAGES OF SIN.
HANGING OF A NEGRO MURDERER
At ANDERSON.
A Ghastly and Revolving History.

At ANDERSON.
A CHASTITY and Revolving History.
From the Anderson Intelligencer.l
On the 14th day of last May brutal murder
was committed in the neighborhood of Honea
Path, in this county The victim was colored
woman named Adeline Agnew, who had q
quarrel with colored mau, Shadrach Web
ster, with whom she had been living in
adultery. They had just returned to the house
in which they were living, when the quarrel
ensued In the alteration that took place be-
tween them, the woman was stabbed with
homemade dirk knife, the blade Of which was
mortal, and the woman died In very short
time. The murderer fed instantly after he
dealt the fatal blow. Two days afterwards, ne
was arrested at the house OF a neighbor, though
not without making great resistance. He did
not deny the cha'ge, and stated that ne was
perfectly calm during the affair, until the Wo-
man struck him with plank board, when he
inflicted wound with the knife, which was
sheathed at the time; and he subsequently de-
c!ared that it was not his intention to use this
dangerous weapon, and would not have done
so only that his evil passions were fully aroused
BY the assault of the woman.
THE MURDERER. sHADRAcH WEBSTER,
was lodged inyail, and there remained until the
second Monday In June, when he was arraign-
ed before Judge Orr, and after due trial was
convicted of This terrible crime. On Thurs
day, June 18th, Judge Orr pronounced the
sentence of the court, that he be hanged by
the neck until he be dead, and that the exc
cution of the sentence take place on Friday.
| 2lst of July. The prisoner remained stol!d
and Indifferent, to all outward appearances,
during the brIet and forcible admonitlon OF his
Honor, who warned him against entertaining
hopes of pardon or commutation OF sentence,
as that in all human probability. he would
suffer the extreme penalty of the law on the
day fixed. He was advised to make prepara-
tions for the awful event, and for appearing
before the judgment bar of Almighty God.
In accordance with the sentence OF the court,
Shadrach Webster was executed on Friday
last, 2lst of July. The awful nature OF the
crime did not admit Of interference with the
Judgment of the court, and If there were any
efforts made to obtain Executive clehency, we
are not aware OF the fact.
A PUBLIC EXECUTION
always attracts large numbers Of people, but
in this instance the attendance waS tar greater
than on any previous occasion for many years.
Indeed, the estimated number exceeds any
public occasion within our recollection. AT an
early hour the crowd began to pour in from
every direction. We have heard that colored
people were In attendance from Athens, Co.,
Franklin, Hart and Ebert Counties, and from
adjoining counties In this State for thirty and
forty miles around. Between three and four
before IL o'clock a. NJ. and as the prepara-
tions about the Jail indicated the time ap.
preaching for the prisoner TO meet his doom.
that vicinity was one dense mass of human be.
ings, anxiolsy waiting the movements Of the
constituted authorities.
About hall-past eleven, the prisoner was
brought from the jail, accompanied by Sheriff
McGukin and his deputies. He was seated In
wagon. which was surrounded By guard OF
white men on horseback and small detach.
ment of the colored militla-all wearing side
arms. By the side of the prisoner, we noticed
the attendance of Rev. D. E. Frlerson, pastor
of the Presbyterian Church, and Rev.,F. s.
Morris, colored. The procession moved slowly
to the place Of execution, an old field Just op-
poste the mile-post, south of this town, where
gallows had been erected only few days
before.
On arriving OF the place designated, the wa
gon was driven
BENEATH THE GALLows
aud halted just beyond.
The guard formed hollow square, around
which the spectators Of the terrible scene
drew In large numbers. After few moments
spent in conversation with the ministers and
others, the prisoner ascended the scaffold,
and Deputy Sheriff Mcconnell adjusted the
rope. It was then made known to the prison.
er that he had the opportunity OF addressing
the crowd, If he desired. He called for his
brothers and sisters, vino were present, and
bade them goodbye, and turning to the
crowd, expressed his willingness to expiate
his crime upon the gallows, and asserted that
he was prepared to die, believing that God
had pardoned his great sins, and would re-
white aud colored, to take warning from this
day, and to prepare for au eternal world. This
Is the substance Of his address, which was de-
livered In firm, clear voice, and in an iutelli-
gent manner.
The cap was then drawn over the face of the
prisoner. At this moment, there was (
DsATH-LIKE STIFFNESS UPON THE SCENE,
amid which Rev. Mr.. Frlerson offered brief
and appropriate prayer, and as the word
"Amen" fell from the minister's lips, at IL Is
o'clock, the sheriff removed the pin sustaining
was suspended in mld.air, by the rope FROM
the galloWs BEAM The fnll dislocated his
neck, and there was no struggling of any con-
sequence. After few moments the body
ceased to quiver, but 1t was allowed to remain
suspended tor about thirty-1ve or forty
minutes, when the rope was severed. The
body was then consigned to the care OF rea-
tives and friends. 1t was taken to the depot,
and on Saturday morning vas conveyed to Alb
bevile tor the purpose OF interment. We un-
derstand that Webster was raised by Mr.. John
Gordon, three miles from Abberllle G. Fl.
Such is concise description of the public
execution last Friday.
THE IMMENSE CROWD
returned to the public square, and although
there was considerable whiskey.drlpklng
amoug white and colored, there was no seri-
Gus disturbance of the peace, which speaks
volumes for the custodians Of law and order,
and attests the law-abidlng spirit and good
conduct Of our people. Several private fstl-
cuffs between white men were imminent. but
they were quickly suppressed by the police.
The absence of loud talking and curslng in
these instances, too, was quite remarkable.
Altogether, the day passed off with singular
exemption from difficulties, such Us might be
anticipated In large and promiscuous assem-
blage of people, where there was no restraint
upon their conduct beyond the ordinary meth
DDS Of enforcing obedience to lawful authority
and due regard for the public peace.
LOUISIANA POLITICS.