The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-21
NEW YORK HERALD SATURDAY, JUNE a. e7a-rR1PLE SHEET

the cases are the triple execution that took place
10 the jail yard OF Georgetown, Friday, December
Levi johnson rnegro), for outraging Hester A.
johnson tnegrcssl John IL. Cannon inegrol, lor
rape and sftervards numbering his victim wn,te
named Sarah Ann Grifrths, and Sarah Jane bradley
lnegressl, for poisoning Ellen L. Wright twhite).
here was tina, OF a negro named Benjamin Johnson,
on December i6. 1870 for similar offence on the
vile OF Mr.. John Fletcher.
THE nuRDERER fRoNTED by TIE LAW.
At an early hour this morning large crowd
began 70 gather 70 witness the execution Of Bur.
ton, although only thirty persons were allowed
admission The crowd at smelling blood from afar
increased each moment until the hour OF execu.
morbid curiosity The parties admitted to the
Sheriff sharp and his assstants, the clergymen,
the uncle and friends OF Hannah Lank. posse
with the muskets used by the troops Of this coun.
~ IN 1872, and ever since lodged in the county
armory. since wednesday Burton has not eaten
sufficient 20 keep lie, and for two nights ne has
slept little. Ne was
ANXIOUS, YET HOPEFUL.
terestcd themselves in trying to have his sentence
.ommuted eince his profession OF religion.
At eight O'Clock the HERALD reporter visited
Burton in his CELL and said to slm .sYou are
about 20 be executed for the commission OF great
crime. AS the reporter OF the NEW YORK HERALD
NO sir, am not; know nothing about IT, he
promptly though family responded,
cast down and rolled restlessy in their sockets.
He wac pale and nervous.
ado you desire anything ~
..So sir,n he replied, Al have all want"
lie shook hands with and babe me Eoodby.
PITY THE POOR MURDERER.
At quarter past eight O'Clock the shackes were
Knocked or and he exchanged his prison garb for
his grave clothes Alter the irons were taken OF,
when dressing, he said, .'When l bought these
pants never expected to use them for such pur-
pose" While dressing he became more composed,
asked for looking glass, and then Tor cigar,
which he smoked and seemed to ENJOY. After this
his room was fixed up to receive the ministers who
rom haIfpast elveen O'Clock until the Jury arrived,
when he was baptized by the Rev. D. J. Douglass,
Episcopal minister.
was sworn in the Sherin's Office, after which they
proceeded TO the jail yard at nalf-past twelve At
water, after which his hands we're bound. He
was dressed in a blue coat, brown pants and white
and ate two mouthiuls or bread. When about
TO leave the CELL IN answer to the question
He walked firmly up the gaows steps at IT twenty
five minutes to one. prayer was offered by Rev.
Mr.. Douglass, during which he sat calmly a
| face. At twenty nine minutes to one ne said he
had notnng TO In reply To- question 81 ~ mis-
| ~ AM INNOCENTl"
! In reply to the Sheriff he said :-"Al have to
say is that you are hanging an innocent man Or.
| shown me. thank the ministers also Mr.. and Mrs.
No one eron &c a m tell tine
truth about the affair the ministers said | could
not hope Tor mercy II was guilty without con-
| fessed 1t. ] said am innocent, and l wished all
/ well who brought me to this. bear no malice and
FORGIVE ALL WHO HAVE wEoNGED MED
At fifteen minutes past one the black cap was
drawn his face. He calmly lifted it, and said
| 80 Mr.. Burton
Again it was drawn down, and again lifted to
say, '.Mr. sharp, / thank you. Tell Mrs. sharp SO
too am innocent. Jerk the trap quick"
nes to one the post was jcrked out and the trap
HEARrRENDIEG SCENE.
Here followed scene heartrcnding and sicken-
ing. The neck was not broken, and the violent
breathing, lasted fully Ave minutes. lie was Do"'''
CHOKED TO DEATH
The rope was clumsily fitted around the neck
and the faE not great enough to accomplish the
work. The fall was six and o half ieet. At nine
minutes to one Drs Gum and NAPLES declared the
regular and frmer. Three minutes more it beat
feebly. and at two minutes past one 1t had ceased
utes In expiring. At twelve minutes past one
THE BODY WAS CUT DOWN
and placed in plain gum CONN and turned over
to Mr.. Burton the jury OF inquest having previ-
ously signed the certificate Of death
M. Burton. the former master OF the man, testi-
fed to his good character and his belief in his in
nocence. The ministers all believe him innocent
and also that he died the death Of a Christian. AT
the suggestion OF the HERALD reporter the Sheriir
allowed him lthe reporter) the use Of cell in the
second story directly in the rear OF the trap.
The following petition VIII explain ITSELF
of Delaware -
DEAR SRI John C. Lark, father of the young girl
Hannah n Lank upon whom the alleged rape was said
to have been committed by Joseph Burton now under
sentence Of death for said alleged crime consider
ing the great haste which the case was
tried, and that doubts naturally arise in all
to h side o hereby respectfully ask Yor
Exceency postpone and respite the execution of the
said Joseph Burton TO some future day,
meet and proper Your Excellcncy in order that time
may be afforded the said Joseph friends
clear up the doubt and mystery this case il any
snch exist And your petitioner will pray.
JOHN g. LANK.
Minnesota. D. DAVIS, C. s. LAYTON.
JuSE Is, 1873