The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-27
THE sCAFFoLD.
Hanging Of John Allen Ketchey for
the Crime Of Outrage.
THE TESTIMONY ON THE TRIAL.
History Of a Remarkable Despe-
RADIO and Criminal.

I1A6tOAy Va ASOAAoA AooAO OV0PC~
RADIO and Criminal.
SALISBURY. N. O.. June 49, 1874 i
John Allen Ketchey was hanged here ct ten
O'Clock this morning for the crime OF outrage. Ho
was cool and collected and manifested great nrm-
ness upon the scanold. He died protesting his
innocence. There was large crowd In attendance.
but no excitement, and good order prevailed
throughout the proceedings.
THE CRIME.
About the latter part OF May, 1877, and the boz
ginning OF the month OF Juno 1t became known
that notorious criminal and outlaw named John
Allen Ketchey, VINO was then fugitive from JUS
tice, having frequently escaped from the most
secure jails In the State, was lurking near his
old home, some four or five miles from the city.
He had frequently been seen by several parties
who, being neighbors OF his family and having
certain romantic admiration for Ketchey on ac-
count OF his desperate criminal career, refused to
inform against him and hand him over to
the officers Of the law He was quite popular
among the young men Immediately around his
home, and as he committed no crimes In that sec.
ton he was Tree 10 20 and come as often as ne
chose, as lar as they were concerned Unior-
tunately, however he did not even leave the place
OF his very naiivty-the sacred name OF home
unstained by O horrible crime. ON the afternoon
OF the 18th OF June, 1872 as Miss Mile Bersherer.
a young. beautiful and blooming country girl OF
seventeen years. was rlaing alone towards home.
returning from Salisbury, and when about half
mile from her home she was startled by the form Of
man, whom she supposed to be negro, running
through the woods in parallel direction with
herself. 1t soon became apparent from the ma
neuyres OF this individual, and from the furtive
glances which he cast towards her, that his inten
ton was to intercept her on the road for some
purpose, and she became greatly ala med. Her
anticipations proved correct and her worst fears
were realized Tor the man came out on the road;
but as he approached she discovered that his
FACE AND HANDS WERE BLAcKENED,
and that he was white man, as she could see by
q rentln mis- shirt eeve and IRON his open bosom.
AS soon as he had got sufficiently close TO her she
recognized him as the notorious John Allen
Kechey, by his voice. his features and his general
appearance, Notwithstanding his burnt cork dis
guise. The first act of the desperate was to seize
the bride of her mule with one hand and place
the other on her person in q manner that not only
shocked her but terribly frightened her. He then
ordered her to a!ghr from her mule, upon which
she said firmly, "JOhn Allen Ketchey, let me
alone" He replied ~ am not John Allen Ketchey;
why do you call me by that name?'' The story as
related by the girl ct the trial was to the effect
that tho prisoner jerked her of her mule. dragged
her into q pine thicket ana there, despite her
earnest and fearful entreates or her feeble Efforts
at resistance, committed horrible outrage upon
her. He then stole her basket. which contained
nothing but a few pounds OF coffee, and departed.
threate ning her If she should reveal the crime or
even make known his presence In the vicinity.
For the purpose Of satisfying the jury that she
could not be mistaken as to the identity OF the
prisoner she testified that she knew MIN well be-
fore the war; that he joined the Confederate army
In 1861, when she was not yet six years old: after
he left home for the war she saw him no more un-
til the latter part Of 1865 or early in 1896. when she
passed him at backSmith's shop. when she
bowed to him and he sauted her, but had no con-
versatlon with him; her next knowledge OF him
was In 1868, when she met him OF a church where
portion OF the congregation were practising sing.
ing, and that she heard him sing there. but never
saw him afterwards until she was oltraged by him
In June, 1872.
Other witnesses testified that they saw the girl,
Miss Mile Bersherer the same evening Of the out.
rage; that there were dark Impressions On her
neck and collar, as II made by blackened nngers
that ner general appearance was disordered, and
gave the impression that she had been engaged in
a severe struggle. This was substantially the EVIL
dence adduced at the trial, adding, however. the
important fact that tire young lady proved beyond
doubt that her character for truth and chastity
was good, and that she was respected and es-
teemed by the entire community In which she
lived. Upon this testimony the jury rendered
VERDICT OF GUILTY,
anu the sentence OF death was then pronounced
upon Ketcsey From thls su decision n an appea! was
the Judgment OF the Court below was afIirmed.
He was then resentenced at the spring term or
the Superior Court OF Rowan County to be exc
cuted in May last; was respited by Governor Cald-
well to the 18th OF June aud further resplted until
today when no paid the penalty Of his manJ
SKETCH OF KErcHEY.
John Allen Ketchey was thirty.two years OF age.
OF fine personal appearance, handsome features,
prepossessing in his manners, ana man or re-
marEable Intelligence. He was born near this
here for two or three years prior to the war. and
up to the outbreak oil hostlllres bore the reputa-
on Of % se e Se
Confederate army IN May 1861 and was regarded
very a gallant ae soaer sa IN 49, during the
Iederals and went to the State OF New York.
What his occupation was there is not generally
known; but ne was arrested for steahnga yaliso
70 the son '0at'' Aba apa Sf He sss
his being regarded Us Union man IN the South he
was pardoned by Governor Fent0n. Upon his re-
turn home, u 1885, MIS- reputation as thief hay-
gagged with band OF horse thieves, who were
operating from CINCINNATI, ohio. to Chattanooga.
rested for stealing horses and was confined In
half dozen jals in North Carolina. IRON all OF
wuicu ie lndIhRtu W eHeCt Nn cSCupes no mhELec
how closely watched or securely confined. He cor
tnued at large Tor some time, but was again cap
tnred Tor stealing horse IN Greensboro, N. G..
during the year 1865. For this offence he was
tried, convicted and sentenced to the state Prison
for seven years Before he could be removed to
the Pententiary however, lie again effected his
escape and was once more at liberty. Very little
OF his history for two years subsequent to this Is
known, until he was captured near his fathers
residence, IN this county. When arrested he was
very dirty and filthy, from long travel and rough
usage, and nc prevailed on his captors to allow
n hn ols,fn nj fO fhnVsu
house. This permission being granted, in order to
enectually prevent his escape an officer was placed
at each or the outside doors OF the house and
ketchey went up stairs to undress. In a ,ew mo-
ments thereafter. and before he could possibly
have had time to take OFT his clotnes,'
SUPPOSED FEMALE
came down stairs, passed the guard and Kctchev
was seen no more at that time by the vRilant Off.
GERS Their next meeting with him was in 1872
when he was captured in the house Of a young wo.