The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-08
EXECUTION IN GEORGIA.
A Family OF Murderers-A Father and
Three Sons Executcd-The Hanging OF


A Family OF Murderers-A Father and
Three Sons Executed-The Hanging OF
the Second Son.
A correspondent of the Atlanta sun, under date
OF Crawford, Ca, June l, furnishes the following
particulars of the hanging Of OF family of muir
derers:-
Yesterday, May 81 was day which will be long
remembered through this part OF the State. John
Watkins (coloredl paid the extreme penalty OF the
law under the gallows for the murder of Gabe john
son (also coloredl, in March last, upon the panta-
ton of J. w. Johnson, OF this county. The negro
arrested on the spot by Mr.. Ed Johnson and
carried to Lexington and deliveredup to the proper
officers of the law and at the last term OF Court.
held by Judge Andrews, he was tried, convicted
and sentenced to be hanged.
The prisoner was known as desperate character.
Some years ago we learn that a brother OF his was
hung at Lexington, and we understand that his
father was also hung, and we are told that next
Friday another brother Is to be hung at Jefferson
for murder
John Watkins, It seems, had but few If any SYM
pathiZers among the colorcd population. Since his
confinement in Jail he had been closely watched and
guarded by Mr.. William Edwards, the ailor, to pre-
vent his escape. lie devoted good deal OF his
time to religion having made profession during
his confinement in jail. He expressed himself as
having been forgiven for the awful crime of which
he had been convicted.
Friday morning. early, large crowds began to
flock to town-bg, little, old and young. Every old
wagon buggy cart, and vehicles of All kinds were
brought into requisiton, while hundreds came in
afoot. There could not have been less than three
thirds of them were negroes.
tremendous crowd gathered in front of the
Bacon House, near the mouth of the alley leading
to the JAIL When Sheriff Adkins assembled to the
top of the hotel steps and requested the crowd to
at once repair to the gallows, which was not more
than half mile from the jail, the request at
once complied with. Sheriff Adkins had, before
hand, summoned heavy guard, who at early
hour reported with guns loaded for duty, ready to
quell any disturbance, should any arise.
At about ten O'Clock the Sheriff, his deputy and
Jailor Edwards proceeded to the Jail, and after a
little while came out with the prisoner, with tho
fatal moose already around his neck. lie stepped
up into the buggy with a firm and steady STEP not
seeming 10 be the least daunted. The guard, under
the command OF Mr.. Nathaniel Hunter, OF Antioch
formed IN front and rear OF the prisoner, and the
procession moved or
The doomed man occasionally would bow po-
litely to those whom he recognized In the throng,
and at the same time bidding them sgood-by,''
farewell" &c. He seemed to be perfectly calm
and resigned to his awful fate.
Upon arriving at the gallows he stepped out ana
soon he was upon the fatal trap. The guard kept
the Immense crowd at good distance and order
was maintained throughout. The sheriff gave him
about one hour In which he might talk, but he said
very little. and what he did say was tncoherent.
part was, "My friends, beg OF yon to look to your
Maker; look to Jesusl he can save u.s. Bury me
pardoned me for all my sins. feel that am going
TO heaven. My friends, want you all to pray for
me.r
These words were about the sum OF his speech.
His relatives were allowed to come up and shake
hands with him.
At thirty minutes past eleven the white cap was
adjusted prayer was offered In behalf OF the doomed
man by Rev. Mr.. Gibson, OF Lexington, and at the
conclusion OF the prayer Just as the last sentence
was uttered, at twenty minutes to twelve, the rope
that supported the trap cut and in another In
slant he was swinging into eternity. 4
His neck was not broken, but hs pulse ceaseN TO
beat within twelve minutes, snd ire was pro pro,
nounced by DIR. Addiholt 70 he extinct within
eighteen or twenty minutes.
Everything passed on quietly and the crowo
were soon h0meward hound.