The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-07
THE GALLOWS CHEATED.
Grifice and Mordecai Rescued from Death by
Hanging Only One Hour Before the Time
Set for their Execution-Their Crime and
Conviction-speedy Justice in North
Carolina-The Governor Com
mutcs Their Sentence to I'm
prisonment for Life.

RALEIGH, N. o., June Q, 1S73
On the 18th OF August, 1872, between the hours
Of eleven and twelve O'Clock p. NJ, Mr.. William
Hicks, respectable storekeeper living some three
miles from this city, was aroused by some loud'
knocking at the front door of his residence
fastening from his bed he went down and opened
the door. Three negroes, named Boylan Grifice
and Mordecai Immediately entered and demanded
If he had any meat, as he sold prov-
sions. Replying in the Affirmative and
stepping back into the store with
lighted candle in his hand for the purpose Of show
ing them some, he was struck down from behind
by a terrific blow dealt with a rough club Such
was the force OF the blow that the skull was laid
bare. The negroes at once robbed the store of the
most valuable and portable articles ana departed,
heavily laden with piunder, consisting Of shoes,
cloth, money and whiskey. On the way to this
city the booty was divided and the whiskey taken
from Hicks place literally partaken Of. colOred
man by the name OF Jasper Averd, was first at
Hicks store The morning following the robbery,
ana found
THE PROPRIETOR LYING IN A POOL OF BLOOD,
insensible Hicks renamed in this unconscious
state for two days, and when he had sufficiently
recovered he gave such information as led to the
Ian managing to escape.
reputation. was found be in the secret and after
he was arrested he turned States evidence, aver
ring that the whole AFFAIR was deliberate plot be-
tween the negroes, his part being that OF a sent
mel to the robbers. At the January term OF the
Wake county Superior Court
THE TRIAL
took place. MOrdecai and Grifiice were found
guilty on both counts OF the Indictment Of robbery
and attempted murder, and they were sentenced
to be executed on me s,: 2Stn OF February, 1873
whereupOn the counsel for the defendants PRAYED
appeal to the Supreme Court which was
granted. This appeal was heard before the highest
legal tribunal OF the State at the Spring Term the
Judgment OF the lower court being affirmed At
the last Spring Term Of the Superior Court the ac-
3Oth May last. but were respited for one week by
Governor Caldwell on account OF the Both being
Federal Decoration Day.
ERECTING THE GALLows
At ten O'Clock yesterday morning the wOrEmen
commenced erecting the scaf0ld in the jail yard,
near the cell of the condemned At the first sound
OF the hammers the criminals seemed to give up all
hope, and IN loud and wild lamentations called on
God Tor forgiveness. The gibbet was originally
framed for the execution OF William Stinson, a
negro who was hanged here November T. 1870, for
Namara. OF the Catholic Church was the
spiritual adviser OF the condemned; but through
out the morning incoherent ejacuatory prayers and
agOniZing grOanS emanating from the gloomy cell
indicated total abandonment to despair. At
late hour last evening Governor Caldwell was still
ton OF the sentence to life imprisonment. The
petition was numerousy signed by many citizens,
including the clergy OF the City. me prisoners
passed sieepless night. and early this morning
friends visited them including their wives, who had
taken last farewell'' and had left them with
Father Mcnamara. All was now IN readiness for
the scaflold tragedy when Deputy Sheriff Magnan,
at ten A. NJ, just one hour previous TO the hour OF
execution, entered the cell with
GOVERNOR CALDwELL's CoMMuTATIoN OF SENTENCE
and read IL TO them. They were, OF course, wild
with JOY, shouting peculiar hallelujahs, such as
"GlOry to God ~ and God bless the GOvernori'
The wives and friends on the outside OF the jail
enclosure quickly caught up the note OF glad
tidings and general revival ensued, amid
great excitement, prayers, handshaking and
wild manifestations OF extreme pleasure. or The
two who stood the awful ordeal staring
them in face Griffce the strongest. Nor
decai for several days had completely despaired OF
mercy. and had lain in his cell more dead than
alive and apparently half crazy from fear. After
the reading OF the Governors communication to i'm
prisOnment for life the condemned were taken bya
deputy sheriff TO the Pententiary, one mile dis
tant, where they are now safely lodged.