The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-04-11
NASH VILE.
To be Hupg.

NASHVILLE, April l0.-Progue Bryant
will be hung at Pulaski, Tennessee. to-
day at 2 o'clock TOR the killing OF Alex
apder Steel some two years ago. Large
crowds OF colored people are now
gathering to witness the execution.
While there is considerable e1cltement
no violence IL sppreheuded. He prom
ises to make q full statement on the
eallows and says he does not regret
having killed Steel,
The Execution or Bryant.
A special to the Union & American,
dsted Plaski, Tennessee, April 10th,
Gays: The scaffold was erected this
morning. 1t is Of very heavy material
and strong enough to hang a dozen
mon. The poose is made OF rev inch
rope, and every precauiiou has been
taken against accident. bryant weighs
about It's pounds, and has a muscular
neck. All forenoon he was singing and
praying and is in sort Of religious
euth usiasim. He has drunk quart OF
whisky daily for two weeks past. An
imme ense crowd Of men, women aud
children are in from the country. Two
car loads arrived this morning from
Alabama. Since early morning cold
mass of humanity has been in the street
in front OF the jail. A passage is kept
open with difficulty by strong force Of
guards. Thousands gathered around
the scafold all the forenoon, many
having kept desirable situations for five
hours. A great many white women and
boys are in the crowd, but the princi-
pal portion are colored people.
By the time set Tor the hanging the
white people were largely in excess OF
the black and the utmost order pre-
vailed. At l:35 the wagon containing
Bryant, sheriff Mitchell. jsilor Pstter
son and Revs. Nelson, Merry and A. II.
Newton was driven to the steps leading
to the gallows. Bryant jumped out
without assistance and stepped briskly
rpon the platform, followed by the rest
al the party. He was dressed in q
Lack suit, with white vest and gloves,
I'D held Bible in his hands which
wete tied behind him. The
guards were armed with heavy
fles took their position on the gallows,
which vas surrounded by dozen of
guards, armed with double barrelled
shot guns. Rev. Merry said be had
baptized the prisoner and WAS now pres
eut at his request to offer spiritual
consolation. The occasion which
has brought US together is brought,
about by sin. He spoke Tor some tune
| and then sang a hymn, in which Bry-
ant and a large number OF colored peo-
pie Joined. He then offered a fervent
prayer, at the close OF which Bryant
asked Sher Fl Mitchell nov much time
he bad and was answered ten minutes.
He thea requested Newton to read the
twenty fifth psalm, after which he adj
dressed The crowd in rambling speech,
ass erting that he had KILLED Steel 10
sslf defense, and eaid he regretted the
old man wac gone. In closing. he
grew very much excited, and walIs and
Lamentations were heard from the col
ored people, the women crying aud
wringiug their hands He said he was
willing TO die and in few momtn:s
his soul Rould be in heaven. where the
mistakes OF this life would be cleared
up. He said some stand here to-day
whe will te parted. who will be thrown
into the lake Of fire, but will pray for
their souls. ! am going home. Fare
we'll children, ! am going home. He
then prayed in a chanting
manner. amid sroaus and
cries from the colored people,
at the close Of which the sheriff tied
his bands and feet, Bryan saying
Farewell folks, farewell everybody
I am now gong home" The sheriff
read the sentence OF the court, BRYANT
praying aloud aud the black cap and
moose were adjusted. The sheriff, jailor
Patterson, M-rry and Newton then
babe him goodbye, the sheriff cut the
rope, and Bryant dropped our IPet
without breaking his neck. There was
| DEealUItsb iuODCut VI etopSbctt bbh
shrieks and screams from the white VIC
men and colored people. many OF the
latter praying in loud voice. Eve
minutes later Bryant struggled v'o'
lently, which drew forth another burs
O; shrieks and cries. Six minutes al.
ter be dropped Bryant drew himselfup
took long breath. and from that tim'
only convulsive twitcbiDg OF the body
could be seen. At twelve minute'
later the ! ody was motionless. Th'
Doctor pronounced him dead, but h,
was allowed to hang until o'cloci
before being cut down. The body wa
taken to Lynville, where the tunera
sermon was preached tonight by Rev
Merry. Sheriff Mitchell displayed re
marksble coolness in his dIssgr eeabl
duty. Bryant offered a prayer in hi
behalf