Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-09

on line level with the latter. This trap
was simply a small door, about three by
five feet, of inch oak plank, and was sup
ported in horizontal position by strong
grass rope which passed upward from its
front edge to the projecting arm Of the gal
lows, thence along its Top or upper side,
and at the rear of the scailold passed down
the pillar or main, post of the structure,
which supported the projecting arm. The
weight OF the doomed man would prodace
a heavy tension on this rope. rendering its
severance by a blow from a Ratchet the
work of an instant of time. From the end
Of the projecting arm; which was OF stout
oak some six inches square, hung the fatal
rope. This was formed of the traditional
hemp and was fitted with reeyed or run
ming knot. The rope was new and about
five eights of an inch in diameter
About p. II. the chest OF tools used by
the carpenter in constructing the gallows,
was removed from the platform. A few
moments later, wagon containing plain
poplar coffin, stained in imitation of wal
nut, drove up and the coffin was taken out
and placed beneath the platform of the gal
lows. Suddenly there arose from the i'm
patient crowd a murmur Of "There he
comes" and down the valley came two
vehicles, guarded by detachment of po-
lice in charge of Sergeant AcAllister, and
a posse of some fifty citizens, with loaded
Enfield rifles and fixed bayonets. The
posse was under command of Capt. Brown,
and consisted of the following citizens
Thos. 3. Bellew, LIST Sergeant, j. L.
Crowds I'd Sergeant, VIM. Hewlett, ]. NJ.
Vester, n. S. Menifee, 7. r. Shook, Jno.
McHenry, Jr., Rich Hammond, T. S. STAN
field, T. S. Chenault, w. Moore, w. w.
Maddox, ]. B. Clemmens, T. F. Wilds, w.
S. Hite, r. NJ. Reddick, w. f. Carter, IL.
II. Wilkefson, w. FL. Parish, j. H. Man.
love, RObt. Bell, Frank Hyronemous, j. b.
Stewart, VIM. Griffith, Jno. Quincy, w.
w. Jones, Fletcher Bryant, Jno. Spain,
Jno. Jones, J. d. Harris, Bud Horn,. VIM.
Houser, j. r. Venable, Jas. Madden, NJ.
Howe, ]. 7. Green, III. Binkley, NJ. Fuqua,
Rob. Buchanan, Anderson Watts, j. Gle
ger, E. Creig, L. Cantrell, VIM. Bush, A.
B. Clemens, Sam Corbit, Bud WIlkeson,
Jas. s. Wade, Jno. Evans.
These guards volunteered to perform this
service, asking no pay.
The vehicle which contained
THE DOOMED MAN
was in an express wagon drawn by two
white horses, and contained besides Kelley
the Rev. w. X. Cobb, whose kindness to
the prisoner for weeks prior to the execu-
ton was unremitting, Sheriff WhitwOrth,
with Deputies Wilkinson and Woodall,
Jailer Patterson and Deputy j. Brantley,
Mr.. Coombes, the undertaken, and two col
81
The express wagon was followed By car
riage, in which was seated the Rev. Nelson
G. Merry, eOlored. Both vehicles stopped
at the foot of the gallows, where a slight
delay occurred, after which Kelley, with a
firm tread, assembled the steps, and appear
ing upon the Ilatform, bowed with broad
smile upon his not unpleasant face, to the
vast throng, now numbering fully 10000
people. Not muscle quivered, and his
dark cheek betrayed no ashen terror. He
had evidently determined to die game.
Kelley was dressed in a fine black coat
and pants, white marseilles vest, silk hat,
and on his feet were black velvet slippers.
He wore white gloves and in his hand was
small Bible, held partly open with his in
dex finger. Those who accompanied him
in the vehicles also assembled with him to
the platform.
THE RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
After a moment, the exercises began
with brief address from the Rev. Nelson
G.. Merry, who spoke as follows:
sMy Friends: We are not here on a pO-
litical occasion, but we are here on an Oc-
casiOn quite different, 10 witness the death
of a man doomed to death who is now in
good health but who, in a few minutes,
will be experiencing the realities Of an I'M
known world to US. 1t is very solemn
occasion, and if we regarded the laws of
God as we do those of our country We
would not be troubled with such occasions
as this, but while the laws of our country
are often obliged to be enforced, we
are constantly violating the laws of our God.
While this man must soon die according
TO the laws of your country, let it be under
stood that tomorrow about this time YOU
many of you-may have to be inferred in
the cold grave (cries of "Yes," "Yes,"
fIOm the colOred peOple.) While we assem-
bic here let it be remembered that the eye
of God is looking down upon us. (Responses
of "That's sorn and "Amen.")
We ought 10 be full, not of levity, but of
solemnity to-day. We are commanded as
ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ to
preach the gospel to the people. This in
junction comes TO us frUm on high. We
have preached tothis brother who was over
taken in his fault, and who Is now
in the penalty of his sin before God, and he
has believed the gospel. He also prOfessed
to me as an humble servant, and baptized
him in the name Of the Father, and of the
nj e Ia IL tl,.a
commencement of that day he has ex-
pressed his willingness to meet you here
to-day, and stand the penalty fixed by the
law Of the country, fearless, as he ex-
pressed himself, even up to this hour.
We delayed in coming to this place, and
we will have to make our remarks short, as
we want to hear few words from him.
We will sing three verses"
He then lined out the following hymn,
in singing, which he was joined by Kelley
aud hundreds of the colored people, who
swayed back and forth with emotion, as
they sang:
"My life's a narrow strand,
The measure of a day,
And if L reach the age Of man,
1t soon viii pass away.
'Imay, from what know,
This hour the summons hear,
To call me where the wicked GO,
Or where the saints appear.
s'Teach me with all my heart
Thy mercies to embrace,
May from every sin depart
In this my day of grace"
Rev. w. r. Cobb, who has been a con-
slant visitor at the Jail, and in this way has
had many opportunities of assisting KEEL
ley in preparation for death, had been re-
luested by the condemned man to appear
upon the gallows and also accompany his
remains TO the grave, Kelley being under
,he impression that the doctors would get
his body, until assured by the minister that
he would no. leave him until the last rites
were over.
At the close of the singing, Rev. Mr..
Cobb offered the following prayer:
"Oh Son of God, Thou who knowest the
of death, help this, Thy ser
Eant, to bear it. He clings to Thee alone,
in this, his hour of direst need. Forsake
him not-forsake him not, nor do Thou
suffer the curse of human law to reach be-
y0nd the grave. Lord unto Thee we COM
mend his spirit. God Of pity, save his
soul.n
WHAT KELLEY SAID.
The prisoner then advanced to the front
Of the platform, made a profound bow and,
IS he stood facing the moose, spoke as fol-
LOWS in a very distinct clear vojce and