The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-18

villanous husband had administered ner the dose
Of powders good for c0ld." she was o corpse.
In the interval OF the spasms, it should be re-
marked, IL was proposed to send for physician,
but this Webster treated with an evident show or
contempt remarking that doctors had always
remained BY her dead friend, and, remembering
what she had said about the powders, her feelings
overcame her and she openly accused webster OF
poisoning his wife, He indignantly and with vio-
lent asseveratfons OF innocence denied the charge;
but he was soon afterwards observed 10 be search
ing IN q box or chest, where his wife mad said he
put the viol containing the powders. The bottle
had, however, been moved by Bette and placed on
time; but, unfortunately, he afterwards discovered
It, and II has never since been seen. This evidence
miles over into Florida for his mother to take
charge OF his children and 10 assist, as he said, in
everybody he returned late on Sunday evening" 3.
after being openly accused OF the murder and this
very circumstance constituted the leading ground
OF his defence at MS trial.
| THE MURDERER ARRESTED
The news OF the crime spead with the usual ra-
. large congregation OF negroes and many whites
returS tem F norse the ms OF ms
council ABOUT the matter, and when Webster dis
mounted from his wagon an offcer with warrant
was In readiness TO tfoke him into custody. de
and posse unii the following Monday morning at
Upon the investigation that there took place the
facts c above narrated WIRE proven, ana Webster
/ was COmmlttcQ TO jail lOr the Murder or his VIE.
| BY strange oversight Q post.mortem examna-
tion was not ordered Immediately; but the matter
being brought TO the attention OF Hon. A. H. Han
sell, Judge OF the Superior Court, two weeks AFTER
wards, he conferred with the County Commission
ers, and the result was that the body OF the pos.
oned woman was disinterred and her stomach re-
moved for examination and analysis. The stomach
was placed IN jar by the attending physician
and carefully sealed and delivered to a
magistrate. Who delivered it to the County
commissioners: Three competent physicians
Drs. Brandno Hopkins and Reld-took charge OF
nd m al fha faofo
known to the profession, or to such as were deemed
most iniahole. The color test was the first re-
discovered. On the spoon from which the unfor-
tunate woman had taken the powders there re-
the size OF pea. solution Of one-fourth Of this
was made, and about one-tenth OF 1t was injected
into toad, which IN fifteen minutes was IN
spasms. solution oil the contents oil the stomach
was made and given TO toads and rats. Then q
known solution OF strychnlne was administered to
the same description OF animals, both the doses
producing exactly the same effect
TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
perior Court OF Thomas county was called for the
trial OF criminals and on the second week OF this
court the case OF The State vs.. Webster Lyons was
called. The prisoner was arralgned and in reply
to the charge answered, mot guilty" Half DAY
was consumed in empanneliing Jury TO try the
testimony in which the facts above narrated were
elected The State was represented by Mr. A. T..
the prisoner was represented by MIR. J. X. Alexan-
der and Captain h. p Davis. After an absence
the Jury oSS 81 Sne aSa q equity
dered, and Webster Lyons was sentenced to be eX-
ecuted to-day, Ia company with the three other
murderers.
QUIET AssEMBLAGE
The day was dark and gloomy. Heavy clouds
hung over the town like funeral pail. me
atmosphere was sultry and oppressive. and the
| citizens generally wore an air OF sadness in har-
mony WITH the hangman's harvest happily for
was no hostile demonstration There were not
more tnan 500 people. chiefly negroes, without the
anh hin AnxUi nofn-
ton OF dissatisfaction could be observed among
the country negroes and the few from
quiet. Both the military companies on
duty were held in reserve at the Court House, and
Sherlf's posse Of about twenty men were posted
around the jail and within the palsade that en-
closed the sca1Old.
Shortly after nine O'Clock Sheriff Luke. accom-
panied by his deputies, went to the cells OF the
condemned men and took the heavy chains on
their necks, by which they mad been secured since
their sentence. Each OF them was then dressed
Tor the sca1old, the costume consisting OF new
coarse white cotton SHIRT, drawers OF the same
material and white cotton SOCKS. Over these
| were placed long, flowing white shrouds and their
toilet though scanty, was complete An official
present rendered them drink Of whiskey.
Nimrod and Emanuel declined. The SEN
tence read that they were to be hanged
apprehensions OF an attempted rescue the sheriff
had resolved upon having 1t over at the earliest
ten O'Clock the criminals were marched down the
stairs Of the JAIL their hands tied behind, and each
! accompanied by deputy.
THE CULPRITs UNDER THE DROP.
On reaching the enclosure they saw the galows
for the first time but. without betraylng any vis
BILE emotion, they assembled the steps to the drop
and took their places in the following 0rder:-
Charles on the right, Webster next, Emanuel third
ana Nimrod on the lett. With the exception OF
Charles who was very nervous and rather feeble.
! four fellows never faced death with more imDer-
turbabe coclness and apparent indifference than
did these. Webster, the vile poisoner, smiled ire
quently and amiaby at the Spectators. Charles
spoke excltedy, but was in no way fearful, and
IN hnr Vnnrn ontvr1 rttnf rhaxr
| had only been placed there exhibition, In that
CHASTITY and grave-liKe attire, for the purpose Of
THE RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
Three colored clergymen performed the final re-
iigious ceremonies. The Rev. Il. McDonad de-
llvered brief but impressive sermon. The Rev.
II. 3. D0wdell sang the hymn, in which he was
| Joined by the criminals
And am born to die;
/ 10 lay this Lody down,
| And must tremoiing spirit fly
Into world Unknown
! At the conclusion OF this an earnest appeal was
made Tor mercy on their souls by the Rev. A. Della
matte, all OF the condemned men kneelng, though
| the ropes were then around their necks. After
| this the clergyman took flnal farewell and lett
the drop
Sheriff Luke proceeded to plnion them at the
ankles, and told them few minutes was yet at their
disposal, In which they might say anything they
wished. Upon this there followed q most exciting
and never-to-be-iorgotten scene. Charles, in loud
and tremulous tones, began -"I want none OF
man hung that killed Mr. Hail. | am as clear OF
4 that as any OIL you are, thank G0d.n
Emanuel-"Yes, thank GOd.n
II am clear of that. l am clear OF MIR. Hall.
They may hang and do with me they please,
but thank God am Clear OF Mr.. Hail."
Charles, Emanuel and NlmrOd uogether)-"Yes,
we are clear OF MI. Hall. We are as clear Of that
| as any OF YOU"
Nlmrod-'Farewe to everybody; all Of you.
Goodoy; win meet you all at the bar OF God. God
bless you all"
Cries without The enclosure. 'sThank God thank
! Godln
me Sheriff then, ut quarter-past ten O'Clock,
placed white caps over their faces, during which
operation all OF the Hall murderers shouted their
farewells and blessings to all present, Nimrod say
ing. meet me on the rock OF eternal life, fare
we'll Webster ths wie poisoner never spoke
ascended the steps with Ratchet and stood lean
ing against the post with this instrument uplfted
and ready In an instant to strike the blow that
would send them into eternity.
He said care you .readyy' One Of them re.