Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-11
Bryant's Speech on the scafold.
A Stiff Neck and a Desperate
Death Struggle.
All is Over.
Noon Notes.

PULASKI, Tenn, April 10-The seaffold
was erected this forenoon of very heavy
material and strong enough to hang dozen
saen. The moose is made Of new inch rope.
All precautions have been taken against ac-
cident. Bryant weighs about I75 pounds
and has muscular neck.
All the forenoon he was singing and
praying and is in a sort Of religious enthu-
siasm. He has drank a quart of whisky
daily t0r two weeks past.
There is an immense crowd of men. wo-
men and childrea in from the country.
Two car loads came in this morning from
Alabama. Since early this morninga solid
mass Of human beings fill the street in
front Of the Jail and passage is kept
open with difficulty by strong force of
guards.
Thousands have beengathered around the
scafold all the forenoon, many having held
desirable situations for hours. There are
a great many white women and boys In
the crowd, but the principal portion Is col
bred people. B.
Evening Dispatch.
PULASKI, April 10.-By the time set for
the hanging, while the people were largely
In excess black, the best of order prevailed.
At l:35 P. NJ. the wagon containing Bryant,
Sheriff Mitchell, Jailer Patterson Of Nash
vile, Revs. Nelson Merry and A. H. New
ton, was driven to the steps leading to the
gRllows. Bryant jumped out without as
sistsnce, and stepped briskly upon the plat
form, followed by the rest Of the party. He
was dressed in black suit, with white
vest and white gloves. His arms tied be-
hind him held a Bible in the hands. A
guard, armed with Henry rife, took DO
sition on the gallows, which was surround
ed by dozen guards with double-barreled
shot-guns.
ERev. Merry said he had baptised the pris-
oner and was now present at his request 70
offer spiritual consolation in lis last hours.
The occasion which has brought us togeth-
eris brought about by sin. He spoke some
time and then chimed hymn, in singing
which Bryant and large number Of colored
people Joined. He then offered a fervent
prayer, at the close of which Bryant asked
Sheriff Mitchell how much time he had. and
was answered ten minutes. He then re-
QueSted Newton TO read the twenty-fifht
Psalm, after which he addressed the crowd
in rambling speech, asserting he had killed
Steel in self-defense, and said nc regretted
TIE old man was gone. In closing he grew
very much excited, and walls and lamenta-
tions were heard from the celcred people.
the women crying and wTinging their hands.
he said he was willing so die and in a few
moments his soul would be in heaven,
where the mistakes of this life are cleared
up. He said: ''Some stand here today
who will be cast down, who will be hurted.
who will be thrown into the lake of fire,
but will pray for their souls. am going
home, farewell, children, am going home"
He then prayed in chanting manner amid
grOans and cries from the colored people. at
the close Of which the Sheriff tied his hands
AMI feet, Bryant saying, Farewell, folks,
FAREWELL everybody, l am now ypinp
home"
The Sheriff read the sentence of the
court, Bryant praying aloud. The black
cap was put on. The moose was adjusted
The Sheriff. Jailer Patterson, Merry and
NeWson bade him good bye. The Sheriff
cut the rope and Bryant dropped four feet
without breaking his neck. There was
hFeathiess moment Of suspense and then
sbTteks and screams from white women and
cOlored people, many of the latter praying
in loud voice.
Five minutes later Bryant struggled Wig
Orously, which drew forth another burst of
shrieEs and cries.
Six minutes after the drop Bryant drew
himself up; took long breath, and from
that time only convulsive twitching of the
body was seen.
At twelve minutes the body was notion
less, and the doctors pronounced him dead,
bur he was allowed to hang till three o'clock
befJre cut down. The body was taken to
Lynnville, Hwhere the funeral sermon is
preached tonight by Rev. Merry. Sheriff
Mitchell displayed remarkable cOolness in
his disagreeable duty. Bryant offered
prayer in his behalf. B.