The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-17
Execution Of a Negro Of Rus
sell County.
A FARCICAL HANGING.
The Murderer's Confession and
Cool Conduct.
L0NG-WlNDED FUNERAL CREATIONS.
An Immense Crowd Witnessing a
"Christian's' Death.

NClrlSClan 8 UCaLn.
LEBANON, Russell county, Va, June Is, 1879
steady, sharp stroke OF Ratchet, rope Is cut,
the crash of falling drop follows another rope Is
stretched to its utmost tension, there is rebound
and the body Of Archie Johnson. negro, is swing.
ing in the air. a solemn warning to an immense
multitude OF spectators that "he that sheddeth
mans blood by man shall his blood be she'd" This
was legal execution Tor the murder Of q man
named Hunt. committed in this county on the
might of the nth Of January 1872. The clrcum-
stances already published, were peculiarly i'm
moral, degrading and atrocious. The trial took
place at the May term OF the Circuit Court, and
during its progress large crowds of Interested
spectators thronged the room. The prisoner was
ably defended by two OF the most distinguished
lawyers OF Washington, the adjoining county, but
he was found guilty and sentenced to be executed
to-day.
ARCHIE JOHNSON
was copper.coored negro, about twentyeight
years OF age, I'VE feet seven inches high slightly
built, but OF good muscular development. There
was no expression in his countenance TO justify
the impression he was a murderer; on the con-
trary, his features regular and well cut for
negro, and the habitua set or cast was rather
pleasing than otherwise He was born the slave
OF ]. L. Hendricks OF this county, whose trusted
ScINdue anu CaIIiaSc ullftI Hc Wdo IL Aooo he
married Alice Robson, who died about year
afterwards, and from that time Archie began
career OF designations and vice. Upon his return
from the army in 1865 he married again, the second
wife being Martha Ferguson, who, after three years.
experience of his centious and bad habits, lett him,
and then he totally abandoned himself to all that
was degraded, vicious and criminal, winding up
Eventually on the gallows
THE CROWD.
To say there was immense crowd Of people
present here TO witness the execution would be a
mild and inadequate way Of stating it. Not only
all Russell county on the grounds but from
washington Scott and other surrounding counties
many thousands came to behold the death struggles
OF o condemned felon. The number OF females In
the vast throng was somewhat astonishing, and
their compilations were as varied as the costumes
they wore Some were as black as traditional
ace OF spades others as fair as the whitest lily,
while the intermediate embraced every imaginable
Shade between the two. large number OF these
came on horseback their long, dark riding skirts
forming happy contrast with the innumerable
bright and gaudy coors worn by the pedes-,
trees ee' and fences III IN town were thlckiy
lined with them, and then 1t seemed that
the surrounding woods were densey picketed with
them. The prevailing costumes OF the men were
blue and gray jeans. The valleys, the knobs, the
peaks and plains the huts and houses seemed TO-
the same common, morbid curiosity, and 1t can
safely be said that scarcely score OF them were
soemnly impressed by the terrible scene they wit
messed. The number present was estimated at SIX
Thousand people.
was very ordinary, rude affair, consisting OF the
usual two main uprights narrow platform in the
rear in front of which was the drop, supported by
rope. This ran through the crossbeam near the
centre, and was secured TO peg driven in one OF
the uprights, about four feet from the ground. 1t
allowed OF fall of six feet, and was in all respects
as thorough and effective as q majority OF the
clumsy murderous machines generally used in
instances
situated in the old field to the north OF the town
and about half mile distant from the Jail.
ANOTHER COMMENTED CRIMINAL.
The condemned man passed restless and Sleep
less night the greater portion OF II being spent IN
prayer. until, for the last time, he saw the gray
streaks Of dawn break through the narrow iron
bound window of his cell. He paced the floor the
ing as he moved and at seven A. NJ ne was joinedby
his spiritual advisers, with whom he was AFTER.
wards engaged in devotional exercises almost
until he was taken from the jail He prolessed re-
igion. and seemed 10 have an abiding faith that he
would be forgiven his SINS, through the interces-
sion OF Jesus Christ.
In written confession, after admitting the
crime for which he had to die, Archie says:-
The pIsss ;Saa he TSsSs lie; ,ss
tn ss Il ny SsSf
h N the and night
hs5e m e ear e e % the c ase 81 sast a@a
an Of love un'i the morning; nasied after her and
OK soeS E' e the ssng%is unto me- heeoIs
Let not thins heart decline ways go astray
her Sah oT she n d sons da sr4n e
beers o. death IN chap IaSe this ADVICE and
you WI 'o' 'o'-' mo '''' AEcHIE JOHNSON.
THE GUARD.
Owing 10 the great throng OF people present, and
the rather startling number among them OF
Arches former associates the Sheriff thought IL
prudent TO summon strong and effective guard
OF fifty men to preserve order and enforce the stern
decree Of the law. This body, under the command
OF an experienced ex-Confedcrate oincer were sta
toned around the jail, ready Tor any emergency.
About thirty minutes past twelve midday the
order given the guard TO iorm square and
soon after this, all The preparations being com
peted, at one i. n. the condemned man was taken
from MS cell and conducted 70 a wagon containing
his coffin, III the centre the guard lie was
neatly and tasteIully attired III suit OF entire
black CLOTH black cap with gloves and CATERS.
He walked firmly, wore anqcholdnh air and
his way 20 the gallows He quietly surveyed the
immense crowd, and upon arriving az the scafiold
proceeded 20 examine that machine with view
TO ascertain It's capacity and IT'S ability TO perform
the terrible duty assigned 10 II. Having APP
parently satisfied himself as to this he was at
thrty-sIx minutes after one p. NJ conducted TO the
platform, upon which he took seat The Rev.
Mr.. Lloyd, OF the Methodist Conference, then read
the twentythrd chapter OF Luxe, winch was Sc
9ected by Archie, and from which
HIS FUNERAL GRAFTON
Ras preached. This religious ceremony, which was
entirely uncalled for, and WHICH but served 10 pro-
long the fortunes OF the condemned man, could az
well have been performed alter death as before,
Rnd with much more effect. When the first clergy
man had ceased, and the crowd were congratulate
Ing themselves that the tragedy would soon be
pyer, another divine OF the Baptist persuasion came
Forward and delivered short address. This con-
cluded hymn was sung selected by the con
demned man, In which he joined with great spirit
and religious zeal. The two clergymen then bid
Archie final farewell, colored preacher remain
ing alone with Aim en- the platform, holding an
umbrella over him.
HIS LAST REQUEST
was made Just at this moment, and II shows that the
ruling passion is strong in death. He asked for
another cigar, which, being It, he smoked in the
most phlosophic and cool manner imaginable. He
whitfield as slowly and as methodically as though ne
experienced an intense enjoyment Of the weed and
bad an Indefinite lease OF lie. His GOODNESS Just at
Ibis time excited the wonder OF many and adlnira-
lion OF more.
The sheriff had previously informed Archie that
he would allow him until his latest moment three
p, MI unless he spniled "A wish TO be executed