The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-06
TEE GALLO w q.
Execution of Madison Youngblood,
at Smithfield, N. c., for the
= Murder of Mills Draushon.
HISTORY or TllE BtOODY CRIME.
SMIrHFIELD, N. c., May s, 1871.
THE EYEnUyION

SMIrHFIELD, N. c., May s, 1871.
THE EXECUTION.
bolt shot back two rusty hinges squeaked with
dismal sound, thirty-six people stood garing with
morbid taste, and Madison Youngblood was sus-
pended in midair. This was the execution OF a
negro criminal for the murder OF Mills Draughon
white, on the 18TH of February, 1870.
THE MURDER.
From the minutes OF the testimony the murder
appears to have been cold-booded affair, induced
by the most disreputable associations. Tie murder
was committed by YoungDlood on the night
OF February 13. IL appears that Yonngbloou
and Mills Draughon were in company at
O place known as Meadow Township, in this
county, both, at least Draughon was, known to be
gambler and horse thei he was the murdered
man, and or course sympathy rests entirely with
him. On the evening Of the murder Draughon and
Youngbl0od came together by upaccountablc cir
cumstances in a gambling point of view. In Meadow
Township, and near the public meeting place,
Youngblood and Draughon met, they went TO u
negro shanty near by ana game was proposed.
This resulted In quarrel, during which Draughon
laid down on bed, when the dispute culiD
in Youngbood shooting Draughon through the
head Tie murder was cold blooded affair for the
purpose OF robbery.
HOW THE MURDERER WAS DISCOVERED.
The murderer had evaded arrest until January
last, when lie was first recognized the steamer r.
Il. Lee, running between Fayetteville and Winning
ton. One OF the Lees passengers was gentleman
named Robert Draughon, brother OF Mills
Draughon. When but a short distance on the way
another passenger was taken aboard, who as soon
as he touched the deck was recognized by Mr..
Draughon as being the murderer of his brother.
He Immediately made known this fact when
Youngblood was arrested and properly secured,
being placed under guard until tile boat should
az Ea ina In ha 10, mod
over TO tile authorities.
EFFORT TO ESCAPE.
When only about q mile below Council Bluffs in
Baden county, the prisoner managed to elude his
guards and jumped overheard for the purpose OF
swimming ashore; as he did so Mr.. Draughon
sprang in after him. but YOungblood succeeded in
reaching the shore first, and in thus escaping it
seems that he then crossed the country and came
cut on the county road on the way to Fayetteville
where he fell In with another colorel man. named
Tone Devane. These two ourneyel together, when
Youngbood became communicative and told Devane
OF his adventures, acknowledging in the course OF
the conversation, that he was guilty of the murder
with which he was charged
THE RECAPrURE.
Devane soon made up his mind 10 attempt the cap
turc OF the murderer, but awaited until he saw
assistance at hand before he put it into execution.
Happening to look behind him. he saw gentleman
named MCSWeen riding along the same direction
in which they were going, when, thinking that the
proper moment had come. he quickly dropped be-
hind Youngblood, ana throwing his arms around
him succeeded In securing him until MI. McSween
could arrive on The spot to assist him. This was
done and the prisoner was properly secured and at
once taken TO Fayetteville when he lodged In jail
until the SherH OF johnson county came for hm.
THE TRIAL.
He was tried at SmlthGeld, Judge Watts presid.
ing. TWO counsel were assigned hum by the Court:
but after far trial Youngblo0d was found guilty
OF murder, and sentenced by Judge Watts to be
hung TODAY.
HIS LAST HOURS.
This morning there was large crowd, though
10y Sheriff Call0m IN accordance with tue law, and
only thirty-six persons were admitted TO witness
THE scAFroLp.
In corner of the jail yard stood the scatlod. 1t
was an ordinary structure Of pine, and allowed
about Jour and hail feet fan. The crowd viewed
ii with curious ana wlstiul eyes.
THE CONDEMNED
When the condemned made his appe GRANGE In
SUIT OF home manufactured cotl, with black slouch
hat, and Standing nearly six feet, there was visi-
BILE movement in the crowd suggestive OF temporary
excitement. Every eye was turned upon hi n as he
unfaltering stride. Near the scene Of death Young
blood, like all condemned negroes, stared death III
the lace.
He briefly recouoted the circumstances OF the
defence He stared that he was PREPARED 10 die and
had made his peace with the Creator VINO gave him
being This was mere particularly taken , notice OF
most implicit confidence in whatever foungbloou
DESIRE TO WITNESS THE EXECUTION.
In the vicinity OF the Jail yard places 10 obtain
view were in requisition As much as five dollars
was paid to a prominent White radical for a scat Ill
his peach tree overlooking the Jail yard. Windows,
roofs and upper plalzas were ihronged with spec
taors, and as the hour approached the excitement
TO THE scArFoLD
At ten minutes past twelve O'Clock the Sheriff. ac-
companied by his d5pues visited the cell OF the
condemned man amid the most impressive cere-
monies, with coiored preacher in attendance:
in the garments. This done the condemned
man seemed TO lose his lormer fortitude and
and arrayed in a hideous-loJking black cambria
overshlrt which covered the entire person OF the
condemned, he was marched to the scaloid Turn
death burst on the view OF the doomed man.
structure, ana he tremoled us,bly lie assembled to
the steps IN his gnasiy robes, and when on
n he had ANYTHING Co saw In q noarse Voice.
which was rendered inauable Ivy the excitement
OF the moment n ne ren lied nave nothing to sa
ceeds to ADJUST tic traditional black cap. Mean
while the doomed man, trembling and shaking SO as
TO be by all the crowd IN the yard stood on the
trap door awaiting The last moment There stood
the scalfods victim, unable 10 speak, living efgy
the terrible spectacle. Tne ominous black garment
reaching to the trap door his black cap covering The
head and the hangmans moose adjusted round the
neck, YoungD.ood presented dreadful spectacle.
,--raA,s THE End
There was a moment OF fearful suspense. All eyes
were turned on the scanold's vicum with terrible
INTEREST Thc dreaded hour had come. Sheriff Gull
ium walked upon the drop. Again there was a lear.
was terrible the sheriff adjusts the fatal moose every
eye is strained, every hesrt ceases to beat, and
there is dreadful silence. The oncer Oh inc
law descends, and soon the squeaKlng
OF the engine OF death is heard and
the murderer, who, without any warning
had sent human soul into eternity Is hanging III
mid air The crowd turn away In horror. few
remain around the scalfold The physicians stood
manuliy near the swinging corpse OF the con.
denned, occasionally feeling bis pulse. and ny the
ala OF medical instruments ascertainng whether
life was extinct. DIS. j. G.. Rose, +. Smith and u.
A. Telfair, who were in attendance declared life e1-
iinct in fifteen minutes. After hanging forty min
,ies the body was cut down ana consigned To
lclons grave, without mourner save his uulortu.
nate bereaycd and distracted mother.
NETTING CUT JERSEY justice.
ecnlnncns MCrn nrOlOMncen IeStcr