The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-17
T HE GALLOW S.
Joseph Baker, White Man, Hanged
for the Murder Of Newton
Wilfong, Negro.
History Of the Crime, Convio-
ton and Sentence.

ton and Sentence.
CHARLOTTE, N. c., Jan. 16, 1874.
For nearly the drst time, and with only one ex-
ceptlon that know Of IN an experience since the
close OF tho war-while crimes OF the sort were
at one time very numerous-has white man suf-
Tered the extreme penalty of the law for the muir
der OF negro.
expiated the homicide Of Newton Wifong on the
scafIad to-day In the presence OF few privileged
spectators, besides those officials and members Of
OF the press whose duties required them to witness
the terrible tragedy. The crime occurred as far
back as February 1873 on the 18th of which month,
in drunken imbrogiio, Wnfong's life was taken,
the
KNITTING DETAILS,
Invested OF the assassin's plunge being otherwise
uninteresting. On that sanguinary day number
OF persons OF both colors were assembled at the
store OF one Henry Sewers white man, where
among other articles Of merchandise that PERM.
cious fiuid pine top whiskey, was sold. Both Ba-
ker and his negro victim, WilfonR, had INDUCED
too freely IN the abominable liquor though not
together, as they were understood to be unac-
quainted with each other at the time. On some
account, not material to this history an alterca.
ton arose between Wilfong and Sewers, the pro.
pretor and after the usual bantering Of offensive
epithets slight struggle ensued, at the termina-
ton OF which Wilfong was iorcibly elected from
the house by Sewers, who in doing so struck him
once or twice with stick. and he was sent reelng
several yards from the door. 1t was at this juno
ture OF the affair, and while Wilfong was still
standing where Sewers had left him, that Baker
suddenly rushed upon the scene, advancing upon
Wifong IN an excited and menacing attitude.
Sewers called to Baker, warning him not to inter.
iere with Wiltong, as he, Sewers was sufficiently
able TO protect himself and house and that ne was
prepared to deal with Wilfong and give him all the
satisfaction he required Baker, however, without
needing the expostulations of Sewers and frenzied
by the vile liquor he had drank, continued
his fatal course, and upon reaching Wilfong
PLUNGED HIS KNIFE INTO HIS BREAST,
INJECTING terrible wound from Which his life
blood spurted in all directions as the CHASTITY blade
was Withdrawn. The murdered man fell to the
ground ana in few minutes was corpse. Baker
meanwhile turned to the house, coolly washed the
red gore from his hands and walked or with the
air OF man who had just acquitted himself OF a
heroic and praisew0rthy action. He was soon
afterwards apprehended on warrant issued for
his arrest and lodged in Jail to await his trial. At
the
STRING TERN
OF the Superior Court Of Mecklennurg county
against him being Henry Sewers and negro girl
named Alexander, while quite number Of others
were examined for the defence. The Jury was
composed entirely OF white men, the evidence
ELECTED being strictly In accordance with the facts
above narrated. The accused was ably detenced
by Messrs Wilson b Son and Mr..
Waring, aud received all the privileges
allowed criminal by the law. In vain did his
counsel urge tle absence OF motive, inferred from
his want of acquaintance with or previous knowl-
edge OF the deceased in vain did they suggest the
lack OF responsibility induced by q condition or
unreasoning intoxcatlon, which was clearly
proved Tie Solicitor Tor the commonwealth, MIR.
W. p. Bynnm-since appointed Associate Justice
OF the Supreme Court OF the Stateforcibiy arrayed
In fatal and concise order all the facts and circum
stances which had been proved against him. leav-
ing to the jury plain though hard duty to per
~ GUILTY. OF OF MURDER
The sentence Of the Court pronounced by Judge
Logan. was that Joseph Baker should be hanged by
the neck until dead on the 9th day Of June
following, the terrible mandate concluding with the
Of Grace. From this sentence an appeal was
taken to the Supreme Court OF the state, at Ra-
nal nnding mo error IN the record or proceedings
Of the Court below, the Judgment OF which Is
seemed fading. A .jury OF his peers' had found
Baker guilty and the courts OF the law had pro-
uOunceQ against nlIn, out Still 5hat nope WHICH
"BURNs THE BRIGHTER"
as the night grows dark' found yet place within
the breast OF Baker as he made the last appeal
He applied to the Governor OF the State for par
don or Communication OF his sentence to life i'm
prisonment, and the petition went up over the
signatures OF very many OF the best and kindest
men Of the county; endorsements were obtained
through personal appeals by brothers and that
LAST TO DESERT FALLEN MAN,
ms motner. Inc brother, gallant soldier In the
cause, appealed to fellow soldiers for pity 10 an
unfortunate and miserable comrade, and the
those who had known and felt the love for chill
dren. Their poor efforts secured the paper and
friend to present IT, but no more The Governor
but the stern demands OF Justice forbade him to
interfere swith the terrible decree Of the law.
Bakers case now seemed beret of all hope. Every
chance and circumstance and principle OF law
which ingenuity and love could suggest to qualify
his crime or reduce the measure OF his guilt was
resOrted to IN vain, and the Judge had again
sentenced the murderer, this time the 10th De-
cember, 1879 to the fixed and awful punishment Of
infracted law. Baker, however, was q man of in
domitabie herOsm and desperate resolution, and
now having despared OF freedom through the
courts, he bethOught himself to test the strength
Of the dismal walls that shut him in and the mas
sive nanacles that debarred him Of his long lost
liberty. Ingenuity, the
OFFSPRING OF DESPAIR
at last came to bis ala and pointed out the way,
break his chains. He accordngly began his opera.
tions secretly, but steadily and surely. and the
chill wintry morning OF December 10, i've days be-
fore that fixed for his execution, he cut his way
through the walls at night, having first sawed his
nanacles through. let himself in solemn silence to
the ground BY means OF blanket made rope,
while the guards drowsy eye was closed with
sleep or turned another way, and in that dismal
darkness just preceding daylight took his hight
from the prison, which for nine long and dreary
months had held him so secure. Freed at last,
and breathing once more the pure air OF heaven,
lie felt that he was safe; but alasl for his new.
found hope, the
SUDDEN TACT AND ACUTENEsS
which desperation had lent him to secure his re-