Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1873-03-08
Hanging of Robert Champion, an I'M
peeunious kentucky Negro, at Fay
ette, Mo.

AT 1880 /. u, Sheriff Burton, accom-
panied by John Morison Esg captain OF
the guard, aud Sheriff Rogers, appeared in
the courtroom, and Champion was told
that his last hour bad come. lie re-
ceived the terrible news without the slight
est evidences OF fear, calmly pulled on his
boets, buttoned up his cont, and bowing
his head for the long hiack rohe OF
death, assisted in its adjustment with n
promptpcss and cooiness truly remarkable.
Down the stairs, through the pathway,
lined on either side by thousands of Curl
Gus men and women, and on 10 the open
wagon, On the bottom of which was his
coffin, he walked without trepidaticu. lie
sat down upon the long and narrow box
and placidly gazing upon the noisy, push
ing, crushing crowd that almost blockaded
the streets, rode his ride to death without
the quaking of II nerve.
The scatIold 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
tege arrived. The instrument of death
was rough looking exceedingly simple in
construction, the trap being held in place
by an upright post, aad arranged so as to
readily give way 20 slight pull upon the
rope that was fastened TO the ground end
and ran up to the scaifold railing, within
easy reach Of the sheriifs grasp. Prep
rations for the solemn finale were made
with such promptitude as to show the
depth of Sheriff Burlon's heart, and 500 n
Champion was standing upon the frail
platform, all that was between him and
eternity.
After prayer, in which the condemned
joined with great ieryor, he was told that
he could speak 10 the crowd If he so de-
ired. Standing up firm and self-possess-
ed, he spoke ia substance Us follows:
al fngiVe everybody, as | believe God
forgives me- so forgive everybody who
has done me wrong, / die an innocent
man; was wrongfully treated, and have
been abused, but forgive all. Voice. in
the crowd, "Gool foryou Bob; that's right
Bob. 4 am not afraid TO die, for God
knows am innocent. am going to rest;
good. bye, and God bless every one Of you
all. TAnother voice, '.Good bye, Bob.
Cham pion turned aud, looking at the man
thus accosling him, replied firmly and
loudly-in fact almost carelessly-'GoOd-
bye, Lowry.
Having announced himself as ready to
meet his doom, the dsath warrant was read
to him, after which he was bound hand
and foot, and even in these proceedings he
gave all ,he assistance in his power. Bid
bing Sheriff BBrton an affecting farewell.
nc declared his wish TO have it all over
as soon as possible, ani over his face fell
the black cap.
Standing straight and steady as a
statue the doomed man shot down through
the trap like an arroE; his neck was not
broken, bat death by stangulation ensued
almost instantly. Tie pulse, stopped beat
ing in less than Eve misuies, and at the
1 expiration Of little over n quarter Of an
hour life was pronouneed extinct by the
surgeons. Tie body was then placed in n
( coffin, and no relatives claiming it the
Z burial took place at once, the grave bav-
4 ing been dug near the scshold. The crowd
piesent numbered between three and -four
I tbsnsand, and, Notwithstanding there was
much drinking no disturbance Of any Sc
riOus nature occurred.