The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-29
HIS SPEECH ON THE GALL0ws

from the fernando (hiiss.) Press, April a.
| On last Friday Mike, alias Henry Edwards was
| hanged in fernando for the murder OF Frederick
Shaw colored on December 7, 1872, near Lake Cor
| morant In De Soto county. The circumstances
and facts connected with tho murder are well
known to all and need not be repeated now. The
dificulty between Shaw and Edwards originated
about few dollars, and there was not the slight
est extenuating circumstance connected with the
murder; and the verdict of the jury-that Edwards
be hanged-seemed to be received with appreciation
by the public.
SINCE HIS SENTENCE.
Immediately after Edwards sentence he was
very insulting and refractory, and frequently
boosted Of what he had done and would do He
soon, though, became convinced that the time OF
his dissolution was near and began to think ser-
ousy Of his future state confessed all OF his crimes
and asked for the prayers OF the Church. He was
constantly attended during the two weeks prev
GUS to his execution by Revs Mr.. Gilbert and Rob-
ertson (colored) by Rev. Mr.. Spiers Of the Epis-
copal Church; Rev. Mr.. Reid; Father Wise and
Father Bennett, Of the Catholic Church. He pro-
iessed rengon few days before his execution
and was baptized on Friday, at eleven O'Clock, BY
MIR. Spters.
HIS HOPES.
On the morning of the execution he was found
shivering and seemingly exhausted with grief and
| trouble, but about ten O'Clock became very calm
dressed
one O'Clock IN neat suit OF clothes, and conversed
! freely upon his future state and past career. He
said he ielt well, and ate hearty dinner.
| At ten minutes before three he was brought from
his cell, accompanied by his guard, to be carried
to the gallows.. His walk was steady, and
his request we went with him to the
steps and took scat on the bench ON the scaoa
together with Deputy Sheriff J. Evans (colored)
| m az
the scafold and spoke as folows-
My friends, both white and black. feel that 1t
Is my duty to say few words to you before leave
that have-to advise you to live upright and
young was strong and active. I had high tenn
| per and never tried TO control It. feared no man
was never satisfied saa unless IN fights with
! controlled my temper ! would not have
been here to-day, Then let me warn you, both
the young men-to govern your tempers. DO not
suner your passion to overcome you, or you WILL
like Nike Edwards, be called by God to satisfy the
crimes you have done by dying on the gallows I
have defed man, have Knocked Gods work and set
at naught His commands but justice has now
overtaken me and am made an example for YOU
deserve 1t. lam not Ut to live. have been too
wicked but thank ., God through prayer have
| comforted with the words, .Come unto me all We
that are heavy laden and viii give you rest"
| This Is all have to say May you all live upright
| and honest and meet me In heaven.
This speech was delivered in slow, clear voice.
|
often during the delivery OF his speech made ges-
lures to the crowd. There was scarcely per-
was res Sy pepy
The rope was then adjusted, Edwards hands and
srappcd the black lac cap his Tsd
| intervening seconds before the rope was cut he
stood alone and without moving.
AT ten minutes past three the trap was sprung
and Edwards was sent 10 eternity. The fall was
over three leet lie bounded in the air, but on &C
count Of the knot slipping his neck was not
broken. After the fall there were one or two
shrgs OF the legs and shoulders, and then his body
hung motionless. His heart however, did not
| was sprung His pulse was gone twenty minutes
after. Death ensued from asphyxia or strangula-
Fifty minutes past three he was cut down and
delivered to his colored friends, Drs. Jones and
Ord, attending physicians, proaouncing hun dead
There were about 1000 or $500 people present,
delighted at the sight, and frequently said that
they hoped that "nigger wouldn't fool em like the
'tother one did"
present In ten minutes after the trap was sprung
the black mass OF beings began to scramble over
the hills and were soon on their way home, per
| fectly satisfied with all they saw.
| EDWARDS HISTORY.
| In o conversation with him on Friday morning,
| after asking us to return thanks TO the jaer Mr..
]. M. Clark, for his Kindness and attention, and to
the ministers who had ministered to his spiritual
| wants. he gave his history IN BRIEF His name was
| Mike Edwards; ne is about five feet eight ten
inches high, weighs about one hundred and thirty
| very active and strong. His eyes were intelligent
| and bright, indeed piercing HIS forehead high and
prominent, mouth small, chin whiskers-had an
extra looking intelligent face. In talking he would
become enthusiastic and often smiled. lie was cop
| per-coored and claimed to have Indian blood IN
| his veins.
He was born in Randolph county, Illinois, March
Is, 1872, and was, consequently, sixty.one years
old, though he did not look to be more than thirty
| five. He was born OF free parents, and remained
in Illinois till twenty-seven years old. He went u
school at Peoria, ILL.,. about six months, and while
at school shot at schoOlbOy, and had to leave. He
| as plasterer for some time, but afterwards,
having lest his papers, was sold as slave by Mr..
Benson, q stockdriver, to Thomas Pondexter, OF
| Natchez. lie was in jail at NatcheZ Meadviile,
| Monticello and other places for running away as
| he never would work nor suffer any one to
S %P to McNars Rifles Of SUMMIT 0 so MISS one
1861; lett them when Grierson made his raid
through Mississippi and joined him. remained
pany d, 1o2d Michigan colered troops. In Detroit
he shot colored soldier, was arrested, but made
his escape. short time afterwards he stabbed q
man in Alton, Ill., when he left and came to
Natchez. Had several fights there, and In 1871 cut
a policeman; was tried for 1t and sentenced to the
Pententiarv for two years. In August, 1872 he
escaped from the convict camp, near Red Bank,
Marshall county, and went TO the bottom, where
he became acquainted with shaw, the negro he
killed. lie claimed to have been lawfully married
to four women all OF whom are now living; has
son going TO school at Alcorn College, at Oak
| land, and two or three sons ut Brookhaven, Miss.
His mother lives in st. Louis lie said his parents
were educated and were respectable colored people.
He seemed proud to say that he was not thief and
denied ever stealing anything, He summed up his
| crimes as fol0ws:-Four attempts to murder by
by shooting. and general depravty and lewdness.
| He said his sentence was Just, and that he had
plenty OF time to reflect before he killed Shaw. Ne
attributed his reckless career to wniskey, women
and high temper.
FATAL COLLISION ON THE SOUND.