The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1873-03-04
Hanging Of Robert Champion, an I'M
peSunious Kentucky Negro, at Fay
cite. Mo.

Hanging Of Robert Champion, an I'M
peSunlous Kentucky Negro, OF ray
cite, Mo.
At 1890 p. NJ Sheriff Burton, accom-
panied by John Morrison, Esq, captain OF
The guard and Sheriff Rogers, appeared III
the courtroom, and Champion was told
that bis last hour had come, lie re-
ceived the terrible news without the slight
est evidences Of fear, calmly pulled on his
boets, buttoned up his cost, and bowipg
his head for the long black robe Of
death, assisted In its adjustment WIN
promptpcss and GOODNESS truly remarkable
Down the stairs, through the pathway
lined GU either side by thousands OF cn'l-
GUS men and women, and on 10 the open
WAGON. on the bottom OF which was hls
coffin, he walked without trepldation. lie
sat down upon the long and narrow boS
and pacidly gazing upon the noisy, push,
ing, crushing crowd that almost blockadel
the streets, rode his ride to death without
the quaking ola nerve.
The scailOld had been erected in large,
open pasture lot, about half mile from
town, which locality was black with hu
man beings long before the funeral cor
iege arrived. The instrument Of death
was rough looking, exceedingly simple in
construction, the trap being held in place
by an upright post, and arranged so as 10
readily give way 10 slight pull upon the
rope that was fastened to tho ground end
and ran up to the scaifold railing, within
easy reach of the sheriifs grasp. Prepa-
ralions. for the solemn finale were maie
with such prouiptitude as to show the
depth Of Sheriff Bnrtons heart, and soon
Champion was standing upon the fran
platform, oil that was between him and
eternity.
After prayer, in which the condemned
Joined with great tervor, he was told that
he could speak to the crowd If he SO de-
ired. Standing up firm and sef-possess-
ed, he spoke in substance as follows
81 forgive everybody, as | believe God
forgives me; SO | forgive everybody who
has done Inc wrong | dis an innocent
man; was wronsiully treated, aud have
been abused but forgive all Voices in
the crowd, "Good foryou Bob; that's right
Bob.n1 am not afraid to die, for God
knows am innocent. am going to rest;
good. bye and God bless every one of you
all. Another voice. "Gool bye, Bob ]
Champion turned and, looking at tho man
thus aecostins him, replied firmly and
loudly--in fact almost careessly --"Good-
bye Lowry"
:, Having announced himself as ready to
meet his DOOM the death warrant was read
to him, after which he was bound hand
and loot, and even in these proceedings nc
gave all the assistance in his power. Bid
bling Sheriff Burton an affecting farewell
ho declared his wish TO have il all osei
as soon us possible, AMI over his face fell
the black cap.
Standing straight and steady as
statue the doomed man shot down through
the trap like nm arrow; his neck WINS nos
broken, but death by slangulanon cnsued
almost instantly. The pulse, stopped beat
Jog in less than five milutes, and OF TIT
expiration Of II litlle over u quarter oil Oh
hour iis was pronounced extinct by tb'
surgeons. The body was then placed in {
coffin, md no relatives claiming IL tht
buriai took place at once the grave hav
ing been dug near the scatfold, The crowd
present numbered between three and foul
thousand, and, Notwithstanding there was
much drinking, no disturbance of any SO
rious nature occurred.