The New York herald., 1872-11-30

freely, and at night as II impelled by some
mysterious agency, he came back to this
S Se hal lop 19S 70 ske home
In all OF these little acts he was fastidiousy CAREFUL
punctual and correct. Negro murderer as ne was
he did not forget to repay all the kindnesses that
had been done him, and return with profusion OF
thanks several little articles that had been loaned
him. On the following morning. two days after the
murder was committed, Johnson was standing on
the corner OF Centre street conversing with some
OF his colored brethren, when he was approached
by another c0l0red man, who politely asked him
lJohnson) to pass him into the circus. This he de-
clined doing, alleging ne had NO money and sus-
started to move on, when policeman, named
Castleridge,
CANE FORWARD. ARRESTED HIM
and took him to the guardh0use. When safely
lodged In cell all the murderers i0rtitude gave
way and In the greatest fear and trspidation
years work was found upon his person, together
with Mr.. Martins p0cketbook and cotton receipts
he was soon after committed to jail for indict,
ment, and the Grand Jury meeting few days ar
terwards true bill was found against him for the
murder OF Mr.. Ham Martin, Of Richmond county.
was set for the 9Th Of the present MONTH ana evil
dence, substantially as above narrated, being ad-
duced, verdict Of Guilty OF murder in the nrst
lowing day the prisoner was brought into Court to
receive the sentence OF the law. when placed in
realze his awful position; but when Judge
Twiggs interrogated him as to whether he had any
thing to say why the sentsncs q death shou not
ror. His face assumed an ashen, deathly hue, he
shook visibly, when he attempted to speak his ut
replying he only expressed a feeble hope that his
wife and children living In Liberty county, might
be sent for to see him before he died.
There was death-like stiffness In the court
room while Judge Twlggs delivered his prelimi-
nary nsa ws1e an aeS
q whom were yisibly moved: II con.
prisoner at the bar be returned to the city jail,
there to be closely confined until Friday, the 2sth
the hours Of ten in II the FORENOON
and one in the atternoon-t0 some point on South
Commons, to be DESIGNATED by the Sheriff Of the
county, and there be hanged by the neck until dead
Henry Johnson was raised In Liberty county, in
this State, was slave and was owned by Mr. Ed
and two children, boy and girl, now living in LIB
erty. He was about i've feet eleven inches high,
and was twenty.three years OF age. His head was
Of genuine Congo contour-a perfect model OF
the African Uranium. RAM aa,.o,, ,,,r,,
During his imprisonment, but principally since
his sentence, Johnson evinced the greatest con-
committed. He even went 50 far as to disclose that
It was planned between himself and some con-
iederstes to rob . wealthy gentleman's house ct
sure Of old old MI Mr. Martins money that being
preliminary step to the contemplated
under the name of Henry Johnson, he claimed be-
fore he died that his real name was Ben Bacon.
Like most negro criminals OF his class when they
have the opportunity, Johnson embraced the Roman
Catholic faith and Father OHara, the priest here,
was his constant and untiring spiritual adviser:
Yesterday afternoon visited him In his cell and
found him on his knees praying fervently, with
miniature pictures Of the Crucinxion and the Holy
Mother before him. When he arose to sitting
upon the ear, and he seemed most pitiable and
miserable object; He assured me that he had
fully repented; that he had made his peace with
his Maker; that he thanked the Lord he had
crime % that y. nnt orS now Ss ;, ala not tpS% SS
saved him from eternal damnation; that
II an indefinite lease OF life were extended to him
circumstances, and giving me to understand that,
taking all things inte consideration, the murder OF
old MI. Martin was the salvation Of his soul. This
was the frame Of the unfortunate negrO's mind
yesterday afternoon, under the combined influence
OF Father O'Hara's spiritual consolation and the
comforting mnstrations OF the Sisters OF Chari-
ty, two OF whom had just left him when entered
his cell.
EATING WELL BEFORE DYING.
Up to the last meal he ate with most prodigious
appetite. Whether this was owing to the spiritual
composure Of his mind am unable to say, but be-
sent him nom his own table one pound OF beefsteak
one or two other dishes OF meats, several biscuits
and quart Of co1se at each meal meal al Of which 'n
last meals would have furnished q gorgeous repast
for whole company OF Confederate soldiers during
the war.
was erected on the commons to the southeast Of
the city. at q point which an extension Of Centre
street would strike and about half mile from the
suburbs. 1t was regular traditional gallows,
with its main uprights, its ghastly crooked arm
adapted to perform all the legal requirements
OF changing by the neck until dead" yet the
main motive Of the constructor seemed to
be to secure process OF prolonged agony by the
most approved means OF strangulati0n. There was
q platform composed OF swinging doors, which,
parting in the centre, lowered the criminal three
feet, with enough OF jerk to hurt considerably,
and that is all. Strangulaton then did Its torture
and the constructors purpose was accomplished.
spiritual communion With Father O'Hara, with
the exception Of an occasional nap, when ina
wasted waste energies rst Of the condemned man. ae
The devotions in the morning were assisted
in by another priest and two Sisters OF Mercy and
yond the grave Johnson passed the hours until
eleven O'Clock A. M. by that time
THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS
almost exclusively of the African type were assem-
bled around the Jail, and all the thoroughfares
leading to It were lined with them.
rabbe, which, though not actually disorderiy,
was boister0us, profane and excessively indecent.
the Of
tian, marched to the front. Of the jail enclosure.
This body consisted OF about fifty able
pSniss pants, and armed with naskets Ssyonets,
belts and cartouch boxes. They were all ex-
discipline $50 soon % Cleared the streets and maintained
an open space In front OF the jail At eleven O'Clock
the concerned % man an wa WAS o CONDUCTED from his cell
on either side of him, the crucifx in his hand, and
the members OF the press and jail officials sur
rounding him, sheriff Sibley
READ THE SENTENCE OF DEATH.
Johnson heard it through without o visible emo.
tion, calm, placid smile resting on his dark fea-
lures all the while He was attired in suit en-
tirely new, consisting OF a dark frock coat, dark
pants, dark vest, new gaiter shoes and black felt
hat. A deputy then proceeded to pinion his arms
at the elbows when he reluctantly relinquished
the crucifx and gave 1t to Father O'Hara.
These ceremonies being concluded, a solemn
procession was then formed and the cortege took
up Its march to the scafold In the following
Order:-
Wagon containing comm, drawn by mules.
Condemned man, with priests on each side Of
him, wearing their robes OF Office.
Sheriff Sibley and deputies.
Colored preacher and two females.
Physicians and members OF the press.
At the word ''fQrwardn the procession moved on
bayonets to keep back the immense black mob that