The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-10-28
THE DEATH-PENALTY IN NORTH
CAROLINA.
Execution at Greensboro OF w. r. Parker for
tho Murder of Thomas Pricc Respite Of AL
fred Giirner. his Accomplish Charles GIL
mer's Death.Sentence COMMITTED.
spec,al telegram TO the Dispatch.

Until q few days ago it was expected that
Greensboro would to-day be the scene of Il
triple execution. The parties under sem
tence of death were W. B. Parker (white)
and Alfred Gilmcr (colored), convicted Of
the murder Of Thomas Price (colored), and
Charles Gilmer, convicted ola vile outrage
upon the person Of a child. Alfred Gil
mer was, however, rcspited by the Cover
nor until the LIST day Of December, and
Charles Gilmer's sentence was committed
to twenty years. imprisonment and hard
labor In the penitentary. The execution
of Parker took place according TO appoint
ment.
THE HISTORY OF HIS CRIME MAY BE BRIEFLY
TOLD.
On the morning of December 4, 1870, the
body Of Thomas Price was found in an old
field about thirty yards from Parkers
house horribly manglcd anu when found
I dog was gnawing at one leg, the right
foot was gone. the small bone in lower part
OF Ice was broken, and the body was badly
bruised. There was no flesh Oh the lower
bone of the right leg from the knee to the
ankle joint. Drops of fresh blood were
found on the rails Of fence between the
place where the body was found and Par
kcr's house. Considerable blood was also
found on the ground near the house, aud
there were also indications, by footprints,
&C., of Il severe struggle.
Parkcr's barn had been burned In the
previous month, and he charged Price with
having set il on fire.
On the night Of the Sd of December, 1870,
Parker and Alfred Gilmer went to several
houses in the neighborhood, and Parker
declared to all that he had found the man
who had burned his barn that it was "Old
Tom Price," and that he meant to kill him.
He called on one colorcd man about mid
night, and tried to get him to 60 with him,
saying that if he did not come that night
he would never see "Old Tom" alive
again that "hc intended 10 kill the old fell
low, or make his dogs eat him up" The
man refused to 90. Shortly afterwards he
heard a great noise in Parkcr's yard, caused
by the barking of dogs and the firing of of
"A gun. He also heard voice saying, " Oh,
Lordy!" three times, ut first very distinct
ly, then faint and weak, as though stran-
Cling. lie recognized the voice as that Of
g Old Tom Price"
On the trial several witnesses testified to
the same state OF facts, and also that while
the dogs were barking, and apparently
lighting somebody or something, they
heard Parker say, "D--n you, l told you
they would kill YOU"
Parker and Gilmcr were jointly indicted
for the murder at the spring term of the
Superior Court for Guilford county, n.
c., tried at the same time, and found
guilty. A motion for new trial being
made aud denied, they were sentenced to
he hung ia July. An appeal was taken to
the Supreme Court, where the judgment
of the court below was affirmed. AT the
fall term of the Superior Court Of Guiford
county Parker and Gilmer were rc-sen-
fenced TO be hung on the 9th Of October,
1871. Subsequent to conviction
ALFRED GlLMEn MADE CONFESSION,
in which he stated substantially what is
given above; also, that Parker confined
~ Old Tom in room and SET his dogs
upon him. That when they had badly mu-
tilatcd the old man, Parker turned Price
out Of doors, and the dogs followed him.
That Parker went out, called the dogs off,
and placing Price upon his shoulders, car
ricd him to the field where the murdered
man was found. That when Parker re-
turned Gilmcr asked him if "Old Tom y
WAS dead. lie answered that he thought
he was.
THE CONDEMNED MAN.
w. b. Parker WAS Il native of Orange
county, in this State, and was aged about
ilty-tive years. lie had always been looked
uDon rs Il III IN Of desperate character. lie
bore himself we'll in prison. An effort was
made by his ncighbors and the citizens OF
this county TO have his sentence committed
to Imprisonment for life, which failed.
CIeryymcn were IN almost daily attendance
upon him, and he processes 10 have cXpe-
rCnecd religion. lie was towards the last
very dcyout, and said he thought he was
prepared 10 die.
THE EXECUTION -.
took place in the Jail building, the decision
OF Judge Tourgce requiring it TO take place
there. At - O'clock Rev. Mcssrs. j.
Henry Smith presbyterian; and j. A. Cum
nigan (Methodist) and several Quakers OF
Friends from New Garden, who had spent
an hour or two with the convict, left the
cell, and Sheriff r. NJ. Stafford, with few
friends, entered. They soon after emerged
TO the platform in the passage-way, where
had been erected the gallows.
When asked il he had anything to say.
Parker spoke as follows: "This is q hard
death to die, but submit, In obedience to
the laws of the land" He said that he
did not set the dogs on the old man nor
strike him, and he had never wished harm
TO him; OIL the contrary, he had called of
the dogs. Alfred picked The old man up
and carried him of. He was hurt only by
dogs.
While the SHERIFF was adjusting the rope
he complained that it was too long, and
wanted it put further towards the back OF
his head. He said, also, that 1t was TOO
tight around his arms. Afterwards he
spoke again, concluding with the verse oil
Scripture, go death, where is thy sting :
0 grave, where is thy victory?"
The trap was knocked out at halt-past
- o'clock, aud the body was left dangling
in the air. 1t had very few commissions
only few nervous twitches. After hang
ing twenty.three minutes Parker was pro-
nounced dead by the attending physicians,
and the body was shortly after cut down
and turned over to his friends. The fall
was Just two feet seven inches.
,rl,1,s hus died one oc the most hardened