The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-02-19
THE PENALTY OF DEATH.
The last Resort a Failure.
Prof. Bryant and Walker Ing
ram to be Hanged.

DlAECu uEAlhGA GU AAlC Va
the Supreme Court last Saturday in the
case of Progue (Prof.) Bryant, convict
ed twice by the Criminal Court at this
place of murder in the first degree upon
the person of Mr.. Alex. G. Steele. The
first appeal to the Supreme Court Sc
cured a remanding of the cause
and jury the second time fo1nd him
guilty. Again he appealed, and this is
the final decision:
Judge Sneed said that in his opinion
the case had been considered on account
of its great magnitude, with considera-
bic care, and the Court had concluded
that the Judgment of the lower Court
should be affirmed. He then asked the
prisoner if ne had anything to say why
the sentence of death should not be
pronounced upon him.
The prisoner replied that he would
like to tell how the killing was done, but
Judge Sneed said that it was hardly
worth while to show that, as the proof
was on record.
He then addressed the doomed man as
follows: "The terrible death penalty
which is about to be pronounced upon
YOU, and which will be inflicted upon
you, is not the judgment of these Judg-
es, but the jud gment of the law. 1t IS
not intended as a mere avenger of blood,
but as a warning and admOnition to all
men to obey that pOrtentious law of God
and man, 'tThou shalt do no Murder"
This is a proper atonement to the laws
of man, but the laws of God can be APP
peased only by penitence and prayer
and an humble trust in His all-perva-
ding mercy. Your victim was an old
and unoffending man. He had done
| you no wrong; he was man of kindly
and gentle spirit. You deliberately
armed yourself with deadly weapons,
and waylaid him on his path, and slew
/ him while retreating from you to save
| his life. There is not an extenuating
| fact in the case upon which you can
claim immunity or mercy of any hui
man law, and l admOnish you not to de-
| lude yourself with any false hopes that
the Governor or any other human pow
erwill interfere to save your life. There
is no hope for you. Go back to your
cell now, and spend the remnant of
lie in penitencs and prayer. Fall upon
your knees and beg forgiveness of an Of
| Tended God. In the merits of the Sa-
viOr of men, and in the memories of
Calvary with its anguish and blood,
there may be hope for you. "ThOugh
| your sins are scarlet, yet the blood OF
Jesus Christ can wash them white as
| snow" These are sad words, prisoner,
and they sadden him who has TO utter
them. The final and solemn Judgment
of the law is, that you be taken back to
the Jail of Davidson County, and that
| the Sheriff of the County of Davidson
deliver you without necessary delay, to
| the Sheriff of the County of Giles, and
on Friday, 10th day of April, 1874, be-
| tween the hours OF ten in the merning
and three in the afternoon, you be taken
| by the Sheriff of Giles County to a gal
| lows to be erected within one mile OF
/ the Courthouse, in the town of Pulaski,
and there you be hanged by the neck
until you are dead. May God have
mercy on your soul"
When Bryant was brought into the
| court room he was accompanied by
| Walker Ingram, they being haGdcuffed
and closely guarded by officers. When
the sentence of death was passed upon
Bryant he did not exhibit any emotions
of sorrow or regret.
ANOTHER SENTENCE.
Walker Ingram, colored, was soon af-
| forwards placed in front of the Judges
stand, to hear the opinion of the Court
in his case, which was read by Judge
| Turney. Ingram is charged with the
murder of a cOlored man named.N elson
! Walker, in Giles County, in 1872.
This is also his second appeal aud like
wise a final decision.
Judge Turney delivered the opinion
in this case, Judge Freeman dissenting
from the views of his five associates.
Judge Turney asked Ingram if he had
any thing to say why the sentence of
death should not be pronounced
upon him, to which interrogatory In
( gram replied rs follows, which we give
verbatim:
Il suppose you have all decided on
death that is your agreement. 1 know
that l have not had Justice in this case.
l can say that much, but there viii be a
great day when will get justice.
| There is a good deal of malice in this
case, which is all through prejudice.
1 would not kill a man unless he dis
turbed me. 1 don't disturb anybody.
l am going on % years old and never
had a difficulty before in my life"
Judge Turney then said: "Your
case has been tried by two juues and by
this Court twice. A very careful, pa
tent and laborious Investigation has
been given to it. The five Judges who
concur in the opinion read by myself,
very much regret that they find it inn
possible to concur with the dissenting
Judge. We have tried to find some
thing upon which to reverse, but we
have failed, and it becomes our duty now
to pass sentence upon you. Your ease
has been argued here with marked abil-
ity. The lawyers who defended you
have shown great learning, ingenuity
and tact. You have had the best ability
in the State. The case will now be fl
nally disposed of. Irepeat that those OF
us who concurred in the opinion affirm
ing the Judgment of the Circuit Court
exceedingly regretted it, so you must be
hung.
| Here follows the same instructions tC
the jailers of Davidson and Giles cOun-
ties, rs were delivered in Bryants case
notifying him that he would be hung
until dead, on the 10th of April, 1874.
You have now about forty days to live
1t is certain that it is as long as you can
live, and hence we admonish you to de-
vote that time to preparation for death
| We can see nothing in the record that
can recommend you to the Governor
for pardon or Communication. So do not
! look to that, but look to the salvation OF
your soul, and prepare to die.
Prisoner-That is time enough. As j
said first, ! say last, you all may be cor
rect don't blame you, understand that,
but | do blame the prejudice and malice
my brother-in-law and half sister had
against me,
Judge Turney-These are matters
that cannot be passed upon here now,
Nou will now be taken TO jail, and the
| other orders of the court performed.
| Prisoner-There is no doubt but | will
/ be hung, but I will be hung innocent.
Ingram exhibited more emotion than
Bryant, and essayed TO interrupt Judge
! Turney while he was delivering the
sentence, but was prevented from so do
! ing by the officer of the court.
The doomed men were now conducted
back to Jail, where they will probably
remain until tomorrow, when they viii
| be escorted by the Sheriff OF Giles
County TO Pulaski, there TO prepare for
/ death.
Ungrateful Republics.