Smyrna times., 1873-06-25
The Hanging of Joe Burton.


On Friday last at Georgetown, Joe Burton,
Tor Green, his real name) was hung for outrag-
ing the person of Hannah Lank.
The crime was committed on Monday,
March 23d: Miss Lank, who is but Is years
old, lived near Rehoboth station, on the juno
ton and Breakwater Railroad, about six miles
from Georgetown. About 10 o'clock on the
morning of the 23d she was sent on an errand
to her uncle's "a short distance from her home,
and while, returning through small piece of
pine thicket was met by Burton who accOmp-
lished his purpose under the most shocking
circumstances. They are to disgusting to re-
peat; The case was SO revolving that he was
barely saved from lynching. He was tried and
convicted at the April term Of court, the
young girl appearing as witness against him.
He was rather nice-looking negro, of muscu-
lar development.
AS clear and positive as was the proof of his
quit, he protested his innocence to the last,
and the citizens of Georgetown were utterly
surprised when they learned that John G.
Lank, father of the girl, had petitiOned the
Governor for respite for the prisoner. The
petition is dated on the 18th, two days before
the execution, and read as follows:
To HIS ExoELLEScr, JAMES PONDER. GOVERNOR OF rHE
DE1G SlR II Lank, the father of the young girl
been committed bY Joseph Burton under
which that doubt will naturally arise
side mercy hereby respectfully ak Your Enceency to
10 tuture meet nrnnsr 49,
cellency in order thai ti",s may he s m t%e $40, 80 ya &
Burton aud his friends to clear the doubt and MYSTERY
such exist And your Peoner will joins C. LASK.
iane HsSfssi 18th. Al ISIS. 3 Davis T. ) Layton
The details of the execution we take from
the Sussex Journal, as follows:
After the irons were removed and during the
dressing he said when l bought these pants
did not expect to use them for this purpose"
While dressing he became composed and
smoked segar. He was then baptised by
Rev. b. j. Douglass, Episcopal minister.
At 26 minutes to II he drank a glass of
water, when. his hands were tied he walked
firmly up the gallOws, and to the question "are
you guilty?" answered II am not Rev. B.
}. Douglass offered prayer. After the prayer
he said he had nothing to say. To "a question
of MIR. Burton, his former owner, he said
Il am Innocent" and to the Sheriff he said
You are hanging an innocent man.
thank all tor kindness shown me-the minis
ters, and MIR. and Mrs Sharp 1.-THE sheriff and
wlfel. No one advised me not to confess
Mrs. Burton begged me to tell the truth about
it. The ministers told me need not hone for
mercy, if | was guilty, if died without con-
tossing it"
Tie said he was innocent. He wished all
well who brought him to this gallows, he had
no malice. At LIS the black cap was drawn
over his face. He lifted the cap and said to
Mr. Burton, TELL all the children good. bye"
He again thanked Mr. and Mrs. Sharp, and
his last words were, Il am innocent. And
shortly the drop fell The fall was 81 feet.
tie died hard, being Is minutes in expiring.
At II minutes past one the body was cut
down, aud after being placed in coffin was
delivered to his friends
The crowd gathered at the hotels after the
execution and the declarations of the diving
man received little credence. The testimony
10 the case was too positive and reliable to
admit OF question
The DeLdrdredn says: Burton was light
eGmplexloRed negro; about "a years of age.
tie was rather intelligent looking, but bad the
guilt OF his crime almost written upon eyery
hneament of his face. During his confinement
in prison, he conducted himself in quiet man.
ner, and up to Wednesday last, enjoyed good
appetite, but from that time until his execu-
ton, he refused all kinds of food, but read
the Bible constantly. When interviewed by
the reporter on the day of the execution, he
denied ever committing the act, but the pl oof
before the court during his trial was so strong
that there Is not shadow Of doubt in the
community as to his guilt. The little girls
testimony was too poSitive-she identified
Burton as the man so clearly as to even re-
cognIze the peculiar expression that constantly
lurked around his mouth"