The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-04-16
PrOgue Bryant Pays the
Death Penalty.
5000 Witnesses to the Terrible Event.
u HANGED For SELF-DEFENsE "
Nc Mob Violence or Demonstration
Good Effects Already Apparent

: ant, the murderer, was to be executed
here on this day had penetrated every
nook and corner of the country around
for many miles, and men curious 10 wit
uess the event commenced to arrive in
Pulaski the day previous. On Friday
morning the avenues leading into town
were thrOngec early, and by 10 O'Clock
fully five thousand people had gathered
from all sections, and had assembled
about the jail and gallows. The gal
lows was erected Friday morning by
BIessrs. Mitchell & Mcdonald about two
hundred yards from the Jail, on the
banks of Pleasant Run, Immediately in
rear of Mr.. Jno. p. EzeIl's residence.
1t was made of heavy timbers, appar-
emily strong enough to have supported
the weight of half the immense throng
assembled upon the steep decIivity
overlooking it. Its builders had con-
siderable trouble in keeping back the
crowd while erecting it, everybody
crOwding upon them and giving such
attention to its construction as would
lead one to believe that each man ex-
pected to be called upon tomorrow to
erect one and wished to qualify himself
for the task. A strong guard was
placed upon the sidewalk in front of
the Jail early in the morning to keep
the surging mass of curious people from
blocking the entrance. Only a few OF
the condemned mans friends and spir-
itual advisers were admitted to the Jail
that morning. Bryant spent the morn
ing in prayer and preparation for his
departure, and took no other nOurish-
ment than a cup of coffee and biscuit
for breakfast. He has been accused,
and reported by the Nashville Union &
american, as having drank a quart of
whisky a day for two weeks before his
execution. This is all false. He drank
about half pint of ginger brandy a
day-an he wantel-and on Friday
morning ne drank a little more than a
glass-ful OF wine, refusing all stronger
liquors, which were offered to him, and
of which he was urged to drink. His
entire demeanOr while in jail, since his
last return from Nashville, has been
faultless to all human appearance, and
if he has been guilty of an act that
would deserve condemnation, OF uttered
a sentence impeaching the character OF
his prosecutors, further than to say they
We're lniste,Izora ssI7oa sonae points Of tes-
timOny, we have failed to hear of it.
His conduct to the last evinced that he
appreciated his terrible situation, and
that if he had not received Divine par
don for his sins, he was at least firm in
his determination to wrestle to the end.
Rev. W. H. Hughes of this city visited
Bryant frequently during the past
month, and on one occasion he asked
him if he cherished any animosity or
ill-win towards his prosecutors. He
stated that he did not, and hoped that
the Lord would save their souls.
The crowd assembled around the gal
lows was composed Of men, women and
children, white and black, the latter
predominating. The most rigid watch
throughout the entire day failed to de-
tect the least evidence of any intention
to rescue tho prisoner, and not single
word or act or incident or appearance
indicated anything approaching towards
mob demonstrations-the Banners re-
port to the contrary notwithstanding.
We think the statement of this fact is
nothing but justice to the colOred peO-
pie of Giles county, and however much
they or anybody else deserve reprOach
for other acts at other times, at this time
at least they are falsely accused and de-
serve the vindicatiop of all honest peo-
pie.
We went into the Jail to see Bryant on
Thursday and found him calm and COM
municative. He had nothing extraordi-
nary to tell, further than to correct
some mistakes in the evidence which
convicted him. He said he did not
bring any rocks with him to the place
where the assault was made, and that
he never had but two rocks and they
were procured at the place. He said
that Mr.. Steele had fired his pistol at
him once and was trying to fire again
when he (Bryant) threw the rock that
killed him. he stated that he had no
object now in telling a lie, and asserted
emphatieally that he killed Mr.. Steele
in self-defense.
At l: 80 P. NJ, the wagon containing
Bryant, sherIn Mitchell, Jailer Patter-
son of Nashville, Revs. Nelson Merry
and A. II. Newton and Jailer Hart LETT
the jail, conducted by about twenty
guards, and arrived at the foot of the
gallows in five minutes. Bryant, whose
arms were tied behind him at the ell
bows, occupied the back seat in the
wagon with Tailor Hart, and when the
wagon stopped he jumped nimbly from
the wagon without assistance and as
cended the gallows, followed by the
persons who came with him in the wag-
on. He was dressed in a black suit,
with white vest and gloves.
Rev. Nelson Merry, cold, of Nash
vile, said: eve have met here, my
friends, under no ordinary circumstan-
ces. Sin, the curse of the world, had
occasioned this meeting. came here
by choice, and I am here to-day to call
the attention of this audience from
things of earth TO things eternal. ]
came not here to plead the innocence OF
| crime, but TO rebuke sin. taught the
criminal standing here before you the
way of Christ while in Nashville last
winter and he believed and was hap
used" His remarks were ourtailed on
account of his own indispositiOn. He
then gave out and sang hymn, Bry-
ant Joining in the singing with steady
voice which could be distinguished
above all others. Rev. Merry then
prayed for the criminal and the audience,
and mankind in general. When the
prayer was finished Rev. A. II. Newton
read at the prisoners request the 25th
Psalm. After this Bryant was told to
make any statement which he wished TO
make, and he gave usterance to sue
cession of enthusiastic and incoherent
expressions, about as follows:
81 am now on de stage OF my life