The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-11
HAEGEl6iSoF BRYANT.

The killing d Alexander steel Avenged
ON the GS11ows-Great Excftemcnt nj
the Scene of Execution.
PULASKI, Tenn, April 10, 1874.
Prague Bryant suffered the extreme penalty Of
the law here to-day for the murder OF Alexander
Steel in 1872. Thousands OF persons OF both colors
were present and great excitement prevailed
and at one time IT was thought that violence might
result as the criminal stated that he had killed
Steel after generalization. The scaTold Tor the
execution OF Bryant was erected this forenoon.
Very heavy materials were used in its cOnstruc-
tiOn The moose was made OF new inch rope, and
every precaution was taken to prevent accident.
Bryant weighed about 175 pounds and had very
muscular neck. lie occupied the forenoon in sing
ing and praying, and was In sort OF religious
frenzy Tor some hours Immense crowds OF men.
women and children were in from the surrounding
counties and besides these, two car loads arrived
from Alabama.
OFF TO THE GALLONS.
BY the time set for the hanging the white people
were largely in excess OF the black. AT twenty five
minutes before two O'Clock q wagon containing
Bryant Sheriff Mitchell and Tailor Patterson, OF
Nashville, and the Revs. Nelson Merry and A. H..
Norton, was driven to the steps leading to the
galOws. Bryant jumped out without assistance
and stepped briskly upon the platform, followed by
the rest OF the party. He was dressed in q black
ed behind HIM saa he hea Bible n his hands,
guard armed with rines had positions on the
gallows which was surrounded with dozen
guards armed with doube-barrelled shotguns.
Rev. Mr.. Merry said he had baptized the prisoner
and was now present at his request to offer spirit
ual consolation in his last hours. The occasion
which had brought US together was brought about
by sin entirely. He spoke some time and then
commenced hymn in the singing ofwhich Bryant
then offered iervent prayer, at the close OF which
Bryant asked Sherin Mitchell how much time he
had and vas answered ten minutes. He then re-
quested Mr.. Newton to read the twenty fifth
Psalm, after which he addressed the crowd in
q rambling speech, asserting he had killed
Steel in selIdefence and said he regretted the old
man was gone. In closing he grew very much
excited, and walls and lamentations were heard
from the colored people, the women CRYING and
die and In few minutes his soul would be in
heaven, where the mistakes OF this lie were
cleared up.
THE CuLPRIT's PRAISE AND PENIrENcE.
He said :-.'Some stand here to-day who will be
cast down, who will be parted, VINO Will be thrown
] am going home. Farewell, children. am going
home" lie then prayed In chanting manner,
and groans and cries were heard from the colored
his hands and feet, Bryant saying
.Fare wei, folks; farewell, everybody. am now
the Sheriff read the sentence OF the Court, Bry.
ant praying alone. The black cap was then put on
and the moose adjusted. The Sherln, Jaor Patter-
The Sheriff cut the rope, and
BRYANT DROPPED FOUR FEET,
without breaking his neck. There was breath
less moment OF suspense, followed by shrleks and
screams from the white women and coOred
people, many OF the latter praying in a loud voice.
Five minutes later Bryant struggled vigorously,
which drew forth another burst OF shreks 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 after the body was
motionless, the doctors pronounced him Dead but
the body was allowed TO hang till three O'Clock he
fore being cut down. The body was taken to Lynn
vile, where the funeral sermon Will be preached
tonight by the Rev. Mr.. Merry. Sheriff Mitchell
displayed remarkable GOODNESS in performing his
disagreeable duty. Bryant offered UP prayer in
mol ahalf