The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-19
spite rom the Governor. rnay we're rcsplted until

But short time before the respite came Baynard
die with slle In him = so he told AL he knew. He
stated that on the evening before the night OF the
murder Henderson Adalr' iater o. uoiulnons anu ,
bows we're going TO put Slas Weston aud his family
out OF the way and that he. Baynard, had TO 90
and his sons, Columbus, Govan, Avery and
GRAFTON, met him In cluster OF
ana there arree% on the manner in which
the Weston family should be put OF the way; that
soon after dark Henderson Adair returned home,
the four Adair boys and himself going on towards
Suas' house; that on reaching the house the dog
growled az Polly Weston had stated; that there
relied pistol into the house through crack In the
wall; that Columbus and Govan Adair and he all
went into the house and committed the murder
JUST AS POLLY WESTON HAD STATED;
the two young Adars, Crayton and Avery, remain
ing outside or the house. &c Baynard made ms
he was In terror Of the Adairs and could not help
what he did.
ARREST OF HENDERSON ADAIR.
The confession OF Baynard having just been maze
when Henderson Adar brought the respite the
sheriff was saved the trouble OF hunting for Hen
dcrs0n; all he had to do TO turn the key on him
when In iall with his sons, which he very promptly
did. Avery and GRAFTON Adair were soon alter
wards arrested and lodged ~ a with t their father
Der next
The confession Of Baynard led to his further re-
spite TN Friday, the 18th Of October, 1s73. 1t is
thoughk that in the meantime the other Adairs can
c es 'S On the xe though an effort viii Be-
made to have his sentence committed to imprison-
ment for life in the State Pcnitentlary.
THE LAST HOPE FAILS.
Columbus and t'oyan Adair had great l6pe
that the confession Of Baynard would make tine
sssr r s as Of s sr ss@C a
the Governor did hot take that view OF the case
and consequently, he refused, on being appliea TO-
to interfere second time with the course OF the
law. This refusal Of inc Governor was communal
Gated to the prisoners by their counsel Maior Mar
Gus Erwin, on the eth OF July, In the following
words:--
sha and q Ss @% h Ss we r
which s s YOU SsT In ss sysn
20 yoar conduct ia any way y 10 Sens :ny
& r III: ssS sR nd DC H4 sSS as: Of FELL
can will come ana sec you again TarsWelI rpu,v
II was evident from this cote that nothing was
eecntion. Cohlns were accordingly made. caps for
the prisoners were procured, and ropes, with the
necessary nooses, were fastened to
THE SCAFFOLD,
which stood in the jaiyard, near the jail 1t was a
simple platform, with single trap, approached by
upon Two strongly braced uprights. The ropes
dangled from the crOss-beam.
ANOTHER INTERVIEW.
The HERALD reporter visited the prisoners cell
the day before the execution. lie found GOyan
Columbus Adalr WAS sitting on the moor Of the cell
supporting his head between his hands, and evil
IDENTITY In reflective mood. Henderson Adair and
his younger sons, CraytOn and Avery were also in
the same CELL
The condemned men at once began the conversa
thought the testimony Of Baynard would convict
their father and brothers; said their father and
brothers were as innocent as the angels In heaven,
&C., &c.
REp6RTgR-But how do you know they are inno
cent?
GOvAN COMPRISES.
ADAIU--BeCdu3c |
who did the killing and they were not present and
knew nothing about the matter.
REPORTER-And yOn confess your guilt, do you
GovAN (smng)-I helped to doit; led in the
matter.
REPORTER--Who all were with YOU Tell me all
about IL.
GovAN--i was a XII Klux and led other Ku Eux
to West0n's for the purpose or killing the family.
REPORTER-HOw many Of you went into the
h0use9
GovAS-we all went in--seven or eight ofus.
INCONVENIENCE your brothers and father here,
GoyAN-They were not; ! declare 1t before God.
My brother Columbus here il an innocent man.
REPORTER-Were you disguisedy
GovAN-We were; all OF us.
ana they were not disguised; now could she have
been mistakenl
GOvAN-The Lord only knows.
REPORTER-Can you give me the name OF the Ku
Klux who were with you at Weston'ss
G0yAN-Certainly; they were
in the county OF RutherfordD
REPORTEE.-Are you not mistaken In the names
you gives
were disguised, GOvan)
GovAN-Their faces were covered; but they gave
me tho names have given you.
REPoRrER-You say you are a Ku Klux are you
not republican
GOvAN-l vote that ticket
Both the culprits said, "We are as ready Us we
will ever be; we are not afraid Of DEATH"
During the conversation the reporter observed
seemed to fear that If his sons got into serious
mood they might say too much for his good; conse-
ter OF the conversation to something lighter when
ever he could and he actually did abruptly remark
at one time, that one thing was certain; his con-
crop OF corn this summer"
The next morning the reporter went back to the
cell Of the prisoners. He found them
DRESSING FOR THE EXECUTION.
Their mother was present lending her assistance
in fastening Goyan's shirt collar. After some pre-
liminary remarks, both the condemned men re-
marked-"Oh, We feel as well as could be expected.
We have but one time to die, and we can't see
"And you were certainly IN the crowd that killed
the Weston family, were you, Govan ~
G0vAS ADAIR-t was; but Baynard and Columbus
"But Baynord says he was present and
CUT THE INFANTS THROAT"
G0yAN ADAIl,--Oh, he lies about IL. He fixed MP
this tale to get out of being hanged. Why, when It
expected we would be hanged on tine 14th OF
last month, Baynard lay nat on his back here like
coward, aud wouldn't eat his breakfast.
TO THE GALLONS
Fifteen minutes before twelve O'Clock the Prison
efsi '"Nau auu COnluDus, appeared WIN inc Snerln
and his deputy on the scafold. Tney assembled the
steps with firm step. Goyan's eyes were fixed on
the ground; Columbus looked anxlously over the
immense crowd present. On reaching the platform
they sat upon chairs between the Sheriff and
his deputy. They were both dressed In black suits,
and wore white shirts with cravats. Columbus had
u red ribbon fastened to his coat: Govan black
one. Soon the minister came, and standing on his
feet, prayed fervently for the prisoners They
seemed unmovcd by 1t. Columbus called for water,
ana, having drank
ADDRESSED THE CROWD.
He began 10y SAYING
GESrLgsEs AND LADmsI feel Il to he my duty 10 make
few remarks am 20 be executed for that which am
clear OF But have been tried and convicted by Jury
oi my own choosing, and must die the gnllows
There has been Tits and that charged against you
all know; but when man says dishonest he
tells I'M un'ruth. II ! have ever done wrong, it
was not Intentional, hut I did il through lyno
rance. raised right and have tried to do right
IN the sight of God and and believe II could have
gotten new trial could have shown my innocence.
applied for 1t, but il WAS not granted don't know