The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-09
A LEGAL TRAGEDY.
Execution of Hardy Jones, a North
Carolina Negro.
DREADFUL BUNGLING.
The Unfortunate Criminal Slowly
Strangled.
History of the Murder Of
Robert Miller.

NEwBEEx, N. c., August 8, 1873.
The terrible but speedy mode OF executing con-
demned felons 80 successfully used in New York
was for the first time brought into requistlon here
to-day In the case OF Hardy Jones, c0ored, who ex
plated the crime OF murder with his life Set into
the wall OF the jail building at altitude of about
thirty feet from the ground, was q heavy beam.
through which ran, by means Of pulleys the rope,
with the halter at the end. TO the other extremity
OF this rope was attached 400 pound weight rest
Ing on drop and sufficiently high when let fall to
jerk the criminal ten feet high into the air. The
plan was conceived In just spirit Of humanity
and with laudable disposition to lessen the tor
lures Of the condemned wretch, but its execution
was bungled and barbarous. owing to lack Of ex-
perence on the part Of the 0ficials who conducted
this legal tragedy.
HARDY'S CONTEMPT FOR LAW.
The crime for which Hardy Jones paid the death
penalty occurred as far back the LIST of February
1872. few days previous to that date Hardy,
who is over fifty years OF age, had been arrested on
charge OF larceny, ana was brought before A. J.
Brown, Justice OF the Peace, to be dealt with as
his offence demanded That unctionary OF the
law having satisfied himself Of Hardys guilt, re-
quested him to give bond for his appearance at the
next term OF the Superior Court; but the prisoner
having neither fear Of the law nor respect for its
magistertal representative, sprung towards the
door, ran or and effected his escape in
the very presence OF both officials and
spectators. The magistrate then, In the absence
OF the regular constable deputized one John M.
Thorpe to arrest the fugitive and lodge him safely
in jail. On that atal LIST OF February Hardy Jones
came to the Justices house with view probably
to compromise the matter; but Thorpe. the con-
stable pro teve.. being present, arrested him and
| a Robert
and Henry Bennett to assist him in marching the
prisoner to the jail in this city. Hardy offered
resistance aud started with his captors peaceable
and apparently resigned to the sad circumstances
Of the case They had proceeded about half way
without any incident OF note occurring. when
Robert Miller, one Of the posse. said he wanted
water.
HE MURDERS MILLER.
They halted at spring, and Miller laid down his
gun, preparatory to drinking, when Hardy seized
the weapon and cried, in q nervous and excited
manner, "Now, now, nOwW Miller being the only
one unarmed, turned and caught the gun; but
Hardy. from sheer desperation, and with great
force jerked 1t IRON him and shot him through the
arm and body Hardy then ran on, but was
speedily recaptured. Miller died the 9th of Feb
ruary. At the Fall term OF the Superior Court the
prisoner tried and found guilty, but an appeal
to the Supreme Court was granted. That tribunal
affirmed the judgment OF the Court below, and in
June last Hardy was sentenced to be executed to-
day.
CURIOUS SPECTATORS NEAR THE scAFFoLD.
Early this morning the streets and approaching
alleys to the jail were thrOnged with crowds curious
and expecting to witness the dying agonies OF afe-
| low creature, whose crimes had consigned him to
such ignominious death In this they were happily
| deprived the demOralzing and awful spectacle by
the laws OF the State, which require executions to
be private. Only q few, who succeeded In efectng
a lodgment In the branches Of high trees or a
| space on the surrounding house tops had their
desires gratifed. limited number OF persons
only we're admitted BY tickets from the Sheriff and
these included witnesses and members OF the press.
THE CULPRIT's LAST MOMENTS.
During the morning the prisoners cell was
coiored preachers and the reporters Of the local
press, all Of whom remained until the fatal hour
n nSe ba aid to
kill Miller, and that he was very sorry for III that
he felt at peace with God and man and he bore
sion, he ielt sort Of tolerable." Almost the
tire morning was spent IN devotional exercises,
Joined, and by which he seemed to be much
afYected. After uttering the prayer he exclaimed =
Have mercy upon me. sinner, on; Lofd In isI
the prisoner was seated in q corridor fronting the
cell in which he had been so long confined, and at
ghastly and terrified expression OF his counte-
nance, he was in great mental agony He was un-
8tCeQQe0
iu partner Of his life, having died heartbroken
s srasc nI prep SS'n we're finally Complete
past
question, "Hardy, are you readyS" to which he re-
Piled, IN tremulous and failing voice, Eyes, SIR"
He slowly arose from bis seat and, extending his
hand, took last grasp OF the hands Of the preach.
ers and others around him, and bidding them all
an eternal farewell.
sOLEMNLY HE WAS LED FORTH
into the jail yard, attended by the sheriff and his
and arriv 10 IN m hp
prOtruding from the wall, with Its pendant hang
mans moose, he viewed 1t curiously and with an
aspect of the most intense terror. The Sheriff then
that sort OF impressive solemnity that
ever startes under such awful circumstances.
At the expiration OF this legal ceremony last
singing few hymns which lasted nearly fifteen
minutes Within the enclosure. among the lew
spectators, there was perfect silence. The unior-
tunate criminal who now tOttered and shook viO-
Iently, placed In position under the extended
beam, and the moose was adjusted In loose man.
ner Following this the executioner's hood was
drawn over the head and face, and Hardy Jones
saw the last OF this bright and beautiful day. In
another instant, but to the spectators 1t seemed
several minutes, so great was the agony OF sus-
pense, the death signal was given and at thirty
minutes past eleven the body Of
THE CONDEMNED MAN WAS SHOT UP
into the air fully ten feet, rebOunding back four
feet, and then swinging to and iro with q motion
The neck was not broken by either OF the TWO ter
ribe jerks It had received, though the BODY
remained so perfectly motionless for moment
that the impression prevailed among the witnesses
that he was dead. After that time there were a
few convulsive movements and then all became
still. The knot had not been properly placed, and
thus there was another victim Of legal strangula-
ton. IL was twenty-five minutes before the
attending physicians pronounced lie extinct. but
the body was allowed to hang forty minutes when
It was cut down, placed In coffin, and by direction
NJ no sheriff Inferred In the POtters' Field