The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-30
Hanging of the Murderer of Thomas
Doyle at Cairo, iii.
THE CRIME, ARREST AND TRIAL.
How He Killed the Mate of Missouri
Steamer with a Club.
IgnominiOus End of the
COlOred ROuStabOut.


the Injunction OF the Mosaic precept blood for
bleed, life for life, fully carried out In the case OF
William Clarke Campbell colored murderer,
Justice has not been tardy either four months ONLY
having elapsed between the date OF the crime and
the day OF expiaton. There is little that can be-
said favorable to the culprt who has now paid
the utmost penalty for his offence against law
and society. Extenuation was impossible.
He had deliberately sought the life Of his
victim, and having accomplished his end without
any eye but that of the Creator upon him, endeav-
ored to move about amidst his kinsmen with that
devish SanQr'Oid originating In crime and fear,
usually discovered in the African race According
to the most reliable evidence, however, Campbell's
victim was not q man OF an elevated character,
and had treated the colored man in the most
brutal manner. l will simply give brief review
OF the murder and trial, which will, in q measure,
explain these remarks.
THE FATAL Blow
On the night OF Thursday, April "a, 1873. while
the steamer Grand Tower, OF the Memphis and st.
Louis Packet line, was lying at Philips wharf
boat, in the city OF Cairo. negro came on board
and inquired for Mr.. Thomas Doyle, first mate
Of the boat, remarking that he had a settlement
TO make with him, and intended to make 1T
that night. lie was informed that Mr.. Doyle was
out front. NE turned and left the boat, having a
club or budgeon in his hand. In very short tfne
noise was heard on the wharfboat aud an ex-
cited number OF the crew gathered around the
mate. who had apparently been knocked down.
Doyle was unconscious and was taken on the boat
and received medical attention, while the man who
struck him escaped. No one had seen tne stroke.
mate Knowing who did 1t. The boat left that night
for Memphis, but the crew began to suspect the
name was Campbell, who had some weeks before
been q. roustabout on the boat but hav-
The police of the city were on the alert, bus
having no particular information worked some-
ON board dnt the Grand az Towe Saturday the
Goth Of April, Chief Of Police McHa, Of this city,
received Q telegram giving HIM such Information
bell. When arrested Campbell asked what was
for, and he was informed that IL was for striking
Thomas Doyle, the mate OF the Grand Tower. He
admitted the striking and, according TO the test-
mony OF Mr.. McHal said he wished he had killed
him. He was then informed that he was dead. He
replied he was glad OF 10; that he was o bad man
and ought to die
Campbell was committed to Jail, and the Grand
Tower returning to Cairo on Saturday nighs. Dr.
Warden, Of Cairo, was called to make post
skull cracked and that small pieces had pressed
examined before Judge Bross, on Monday morn
Ing, the 2sth Of April, and committed to jail to
witnesses were recognized in the sum Of $500.
the grand Jury Of Alexander county found Q
true s es n o
July. W. j. Allen, II. W. Webb and County Attor-
ney r Il. Pope appeared ior the people D. !.
by direction OF Judge D. J. Baker, presiding.
The first witness examined was Mitchell Alex
running on the Grand Tower ever since she was
built tnat he knew the prisoners that on the night
Sured for Doyle said he had sS to settle with
him; that In about ten minutes he heard that
Doyle was va hurt prisoner had STICK I'm his hand
could not swear that the stick in court was the one
with which the prisoner struck Doyle, but can
swear that 1t was the one that marked when told
that 1t was the one with which he had been struck.
George Young, who lives in st. LOUIS, testified
Campbell, the prisoner; on the night referred 70,
prisoner came on board the boat while lying at
hand; soon after heard that boyle was hurt.
SENTENCED TO DEATH.
After able speeches from counsel on both sides,
the Both Of July and the next morning, after being
out sixteen hours, they brought in verdict or
punishment OF the prisoner at death by hanging.
me prisoner received the verdict with much cool
and mo was e4 new to trial. wn n
motion was taken under advisement. On :.
the evening Of the 9Th OF August Judge Baker an
new trial, and appointing the morning OF the 9th
for the delivery Of the sentence. The court room
as court was opened the counsel for the prisoner
entered motion for the arrest OF Judgment. This,
was asked he had anyhnx
TO say why sentence of deari should not be pro-
against the He sa NO reply but
difference than any other man In the room The
sentence was BRIEF but very impressive, being
opinion as to the business OF the verdict. He in
formed the prisoner that he had as able counsel as
labored faithfully for him without any hope Of re-
ward, and that he must now prepare for the death
ecaom between the hours Of WE'VE and one
O'Clock r NJ. on the 10Th OF August.
For a few days alter sentence was passed Camp
ha Of rQn N " WppE q naQf hA
mad become much softened He was now willing
and anxious to listen to advice and instruction,
suffer for his crime. lie acknowledged that he
attributed to him by Mr.. McHall, and OF course, is
severe upon him. Rev. +. L.. Thomson, pastor OF
ne nsopa s al ms Spill 1t
penitent, and that he tried to become resigned to
THE cULPRrT's ANrEcEDENTs.
Campbell stated yesterday that he was born in
Louisiana, but was taken from there to Boone
Here he was raised by his master, a Mr.. Herndon.
and remained slave until the call OF the
sne N0 for ioSred wnsn he
passing through Missouri to the seat Of war
In 1861, after which he followed the Missouri
when he went on the Grand Tower. After several
trips he had q difficulty with the mate, Mr.. Doyle
the boat. He says his father is IN Canada that his
mother, several brothers and sisters, live in
Omaha, Neb. His mother has been with him for
two or three days. He is about twenty-five years
OF age, nearly black, well built has high FORE
head and an Intelligent face, but q wicked looking
eye.
THE LAST HOURS.
Last night the prisoner was attended by the Rev.
Mr.. Thomson until late hour, and the time
spent in devotion and conversation OF o conf
Dental nature after which he retired, and slept
soundly until early this morning lie was visited
early by the Sheriff. and few persons called to
bid him adieu. Shortly alter ten O'Clock despatch
arrived at the jail, purporting TO convey the In
formation that the Governor had granted a
respite for thirty days. This was from Mr.. J.
J. Burd, Dwight, Illinois, who had gone to see
the Governor with the object OF securing Executive
interference. The intelligence was communicated
to the prisoner and his friends and created quite
ripple Of excitement. The Sheriff did not credit
the news, however, and assured the condemned
man that unless II was confirmed officially before
the appointed time the law would have TO DC car
ried out. All hope for the prisoner disappeared an
hour later, when despatch arrived rom Governor
Beverage instructing the sheriff to proceedwtth
the execution.