Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-07-31
The GallOWS.

The negro, whose EXECUTION is
chroniclcd below committed one OF
the most wanton and disbolical
murders ever known. His victims
we're two ladies who had always been
kind to him and who had often fed
him. After he had killed ore, the
other begged him not to kill her, but
his answer w6s q blow with club
which crushed her skull:
Mr.. EDlTOR:-In my last letter from
this place, promised to give you an ac-
count Of the execution OF Jim Brown, the
woman murderer, which took place in
this town on Friday, the llth instant.
The hOns Fixed for the execution WAS
betw en- ten and two o'clock. About half
past nine your correspondent, with seve
raj reporters from Norfolk, Portsmouth,
New York and other places, with high
Sheriff Eiey, entered the cell where
! Brown was confn d. We found him sit
ting up, perfectly composed, and ready TO
answer all questions that were put TO him
/ by the difereat reporters, he said that
/ he had protested religion the previous
day, and was ready to stand free from
sin in the presence Of his Maker He
was then taken 10 an adjoining room
from his cell TO be dress Il for the scaf-
fold. Here he was visited By Rev. Jor-
dan Thompson, aud Rev, Mr.. Bass, his
spiritual advisers. jim, in his inter
view with the Diyines, became very en-
thusiostic over l. is prospects Of Heaven,
acd the hope Of soon being in better
land. lie said that he loved everybody,
and bad no i'll will against the Judge
and jury that sentenced him TO die. lie
said that he deserved to die, and wanted
it over is soon as possible. lie had shed
innocent blood, and his must atone for it,
After lie was left alone with his spiritual
advisers for about half an hour, his wife
with babe, two mouths old, was brought
in 10 see her husband for the last time.
Here the criminal showed some little
. emotion for his family. The shr0udiug &
Of the rlsoner was then commenced by the
sheriff. when lis nerves completely gave
way. and he became very much alarmed,
his pulse soon running up 10 one nundred
and forty. lie was thea led TO the scsf
fold by Sheriff Eley and bis gnard. The
prisoner c. uld hardy ascend the gallore
and fell on his knees NJ soon rs be reach
q the platform. The Sheriff then read
the death warrant, and told him If be had
ANYTHING 10 say be could do 80; he on!y
i laN 81 rNar
way, advising everyone 70 keep away
from sin and not to follow him. Rev
Jordan Thompson, Of the Baptist Church
men addressed the crowd about 5000
from the scafold very appropriately, and
then offered one ot the most solemn and
earnest prayers for the prisoner that
! ever heard. The rope was then adjusted
a-ound Lis neck, aCt
Ivatcked him on the scaiToli stand,
| watched with bated breath,
The SherItfs fatal dread command
To hurt him to bis death
and at twenty minutes past eleven c'clocl
Jim Brown, the most brutal murdsre
: that ever lived in this section Of Virgini
va, launched into eteraiiy.
: Too much credit cannot be give
Sheriff VI. II Rley, for the manner i
which lie carried out the stern decree q
the law on this occasion. lie was calf
aud collected, and Lad everything 10 il
place. lie tcok every pTecaution 10 hsy
coed order, and TO Gueil auy distprbane
that might occur. One thing SanseuOb
can boast Of, if murderers are to be hani
ed, We have Sheriff that understs %
his business, he is humane and kind, bl
! stern and resolute.-Lynch5urg Pre,s.