The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-11
HUNTER HANGED.

4
The Murderer OF the Negro Robinson
Executed at Darlington, $. CA Phil
osopher to the End-Penitent Eloquence
ON the ScaNold.
DARLINGTON, s. c., April TO- 1874
Another routine execution in South Carolina.
The usual gall0ws, substantial but badly con-
structed. The usual negro victim, who has made
his peace and Is confident that his soul will ascend
to paradise when 1t makes Its exit from his body.
The usual parade and display Of the laws just
vengeance Tor the execution was public, against
which great deal might be said. And lastly, the
usual immense concourse OF human beings who
assemble to witness the dying agonles OF fellow
creature for the eradication OF MORBID aud de-
PRAYED taste, and who 60 away more demoraltzed.
more criminally hardened, and probably much
worse Christians than when they came. Thus it
was to-day at the execution o: Cambass Hunter, a
negro, Tor the murder OF Cornelius Robinson, one
OF his own friends, Of his race, and one OF the
great human family of which he was a member.
THE CRIME.
On the 9th OF October last plantation ''shindign
took place at one solomon Barber's colored man.
Hunter being among the 200 negroes present.
After while fight occurred and Hunter, being
one OF the leaders, was put out. Knives had been
freely used. Robinson had at some time previously
accused Hunter Of stealing an OK belonging to
him, and the two had no sooner met outside at
Barber's than Hunter struck Robinson a terrific
blow with club on the temple. He fell at the
feet OF his wife and his murderer, the latter ex-
claiming in savage tone Of exultation-
III. 1 sssS sgsHNss sb.oaoS .ns II.
victim lay weltering in blood, long deep cash in
dentlng the frontal bone and extending across to
the leii temple showing the brutal force with
Cornelius did not die. He survived just exactly
one month from the day OF the murder, and on the
ing Cambass was arrested, and some hopes OF the
recovery OF Cornelius being entertained, the muir
derer was admitted to ball. two OF has friends, one
OF them colored, who are property holders, becom-
ing his securities. So secure did this desperate
feel, that he went at large the entire month his
victim lived, and so confident was he Of remaining
unmoested, because OF the terror that attached
TO his name. that he never attempted to escape by
flight. winch latter he could have done, leav-
geance was sure to overtake him. When
Cornelius died post-mortem examination was
held, at which two physicians testified that 1t was
the blow caused his death; that death was caused
by compression or the brain resulting from ex-
and suppuration within the cavity OF the Uranium,
caused by depressed compound comminuted
fracture OF the skull. warrant was then issued,
upon which Cambass was rearrested and COM
united ior indictment by the Grand Jury At the
February term that body found true BIN for
Sessions being sitting at the time, he was
arraigned and tried. Owing to the popularity Of
man. that race evinced the greatest interest in
the trial. They were loud in their expressions or
INDIGNATION, and, to use their own words, Hang
him as high as Haman" was generally heard in all
quarters. The court house was thronged, and so
strong was the feeling oil the negroes against the
Eliot Baker, formerly OF the Boston (Mass.) bar
endeavored as Tar as possible TO obtain white
Jury. This ne did not succeed In fully, but
majority OF whites were obtained on the Jury
The defence was able, bpt strong and corrO-
borative was the testimony the side OF the
prosecution that verdict OF guilty was rendered
by the jury after bret absence from the court
room. An incident OF the trial that told strongly
against the prisoner was the fact that when the
widow OF the murdered man was called upon the
witnesses stand she related her evidence in a
very affecting manner, crying piteously and sobbing
she had the sympathy Of every one except the
prisoner, within sound OF her voice. hue when she
courtroom the jury ana even the Judge exnibii-
ing symptoms OF the strongest feeling on the oc
cason. II was Just at this critical moment that
the savage and brute nature OF the prisoner dis
played Itself to his worst advantage. for when
everybody else shed tear OF sympathy for the
poor desolate widow
THE PRISONER LAUGHED
with demoBiacal delight, goating over the terrible
sorrow he had caused and evlncng q thorough
contempt and scorn for both the Court and
audience. That very exhibition OF the fendish
nature tnat governed MIN sealed his DOOM. His
and even his own personal friends were turned
against him from that moment At the conclusion
OF the trial Judge townsend in an impressive and
solemn address, IN winch he. alluded to the
demons laughn o. the prisoner when the
bereaved widow OF his victim was on the witness
stand, sentenced him to be executed to-day in.
voking at the same time the mercy OF God upon
his soui-He that showed no mercy.
SIGHTSEERS ON HAND.
Early this morning. before the execution crowds
OF people, white and colored, were seen vending
their way into town. Ali kinds or vehicles were
brought into requisitien Horse, mule and OK
teams, heavily loaded with men, women and chill
dren, presented an interesting spectacle as they
passed in procession into the town. some Of the
colored Population who were determined 10 be on
hand early TO see the execution, came on ioot in
squads OF from three TO ten, the evening previous,
with their carpetbags IN hand Before ten
O'Clock nearly hall OF the population OF the county
seemed TO be on hand. There were quite a num-
Der Of people here also from the adjacent counties
OF Sumter, Marion, Marlboro and Chesterfield.
The crowd commenced at an early hour In the
morning to select eligible positions az near
the scanOld as possible, In order to