The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-07
THE SCAFFOLD.
Execution of a Murderer in
Mississippi.
Interesting Incidents at the
GalloWs.
He Neither Admits Nor Denies
His Guilt.

Early yesterday morning people rom the coun-
try began 10 come In, and before eleven O'Clock
Brookhaven was thronged with crowds OF people,
so that 1t was frequently remarked that 1t was the
largest assem0lage that had ever been seen here
before. Very early in the morning the crowd
began gradually to concentrate up near the jail,
where the first opportunity would be presented to
get glimpse oil the man OF whom so much had
been heard. ana who was soon to CONSTITUTES
the tragic spectacle or the day. AS the Sheriff
began to assemble his strong guard at the jail
door ana the
HoRRID BLACK COFFIN,
in dismal cart halted in ront, the anxiety and
intensity OF the crowd Increased. The prisoner
was then brought forth, dressed in clean white
shirt, pair OF new cottonade pants and second
hand coat OF gray summer worsted and broad
brimmed wool hat which, perhaps, he brought
with him TO the Jall. For the nrst time many per-
sons now obtained glimpse OF tue man they had
heard much or Nothing in his appearances
presented the ldea OF monster, lie was rather
young looking, not twenty eight years OF age,
dark copper color, rather sum lace, sim make,
and not over five feet ten inches high. AS he
emerged rom the iail, and with apparent hesita-
tion took his seat on the dismal black CONN, hts
face Was more asny with paleness and solennly.
In tie morning, at eight O'CLOCK, wnen approached
by Mr. TlDbs, the Jalierr he SAID he had spent tho
night only tolerably weli ana failed to partake or
breakfast ana requested that he should be allowed
TO Sp md as much time as possiblt with his iavor
I've colored minister, Mr. Turner oil Madison
county, whose voice he heard outside, when priv
llege was granted him. The guard opened up the
way through the crowd. ana tue cart, bearing Joe
Wilson, WITH ms arms pln0ned Denlnd MIN and
his leet tied with manila rope, Turner the coli
ored minister, on one side oil him, and the watch
ful Jailer, Tlobs on the other, began TO move out
into line OF procession. Inc crowd had not
Strengthened into line before
THE CART, BEARING THE PRISONER,
halted at the artist tent near the stern Hotel,
when. by previous request OF the prisoner, his
picture taken Tor the OenenL Of several OF RtS
friends and relatives; Wilson, when sitting Tor
these last memorials, appeared as mucn in
terested for a fart itul picture as one with long
lie oil promise before Nun. After the impression
was taken, without waiting TO present the spect-
MEN 10 the prisoner, the guard moved on to the
gallows with the prisoner, one mile rom Brook
haven, near the old race track. large crowd or
people was there found To nave been assembled
for hours, TO get favorable positions Tor
VIEWING THE EXECUTION.
some were In trees Others on stumps, and all
prominent points were pre0ccupled early In the
morning. Inc scaffold was newly erected out OF
IN new pieces oil timber, posted four Ieet apart,
a cross beam on top at tue height OF fourteen feet
The trap door, or platform for the prisoner, was
SIX or eight feet from the ground. As the cart
was driven neal the platform the prisoner as
suned deeply asny hue, aud feeling OF awful
dread covered his countenance He was then
lifted from his comm 10 tue platform OF the scar.
told IN standing position, and the rope around
his neck tied to the beam above, and he was in-
formed that he was at liberty TO make any re-
marks tnat he desired He requested the colOred
preacher, MIR. Turner. Of the bapust church, 10
perform some religious services. The preacher
read portion OF the scriptures, ana gave out
hymn, and portion OF the colored men and
women sung, during which time wilson iervently.
ana Ia an audible and Dewaillng voice, engaged IN
.TIsUs, HAVE MERCY on NY soULlr
MS strength evidently begans TO fan him, and
the Ialer, perceivIng there was danger or ms
moving ana the trembling body losing lta equiib-
rum came 10 mis- support ana neld aim In a
standing position until tie enG or PRAYERS. Alter
the close OF the religious services he was told by
Sheriff Cox that ne could say anything ne mad TO
say g. the audience. Apparently recovering more
strength, ne spoke In u subdued voice as iol-
lows
great ana small that you see me stand mere to-
DAY chlil stTayed away rom home, among
strangers and That look TO Cod let tue world go
as 1t Is; ali Is Dygones, ana look TO Jesus. rne
crime they charge me with, all have made up
their minus about: Lei them nave tneI opln-
Ions. Goa Knows Wen my SINS, aud 20 DO L
aud all viii know the truth az the Day oil Judg.
ment am satisfied let the people have their
nInds. have got the dent TO pay-et me pay iti
pay lt freely. There Is day Tor US all. all havd
got TO die. Every chad that lives to-day Is under
sentence OF death. My end Is AT hand-my race ~
run. When 1 go | 20 10 Jesus, away TO another
word. Jesus changed my nature TO grace, and
thank God Tor u. 1 nave toto you all, ana Cod
here the prisoner paused as i he had Closed All
he mad TO say. lie was taen asked oy one OF the
Dystanders n ne was guilty o. the charge Ion
winch ne was being executed and he replied
that he
lie was then t0ld that II could not be ascer-
tanned By ms remarks whether he dellod or con-
iessed 10 killing sanders. he made no reply.
Then the question was put 10 him direct, ''Dld
you or dId you not Kill Sanuers ~ ana ne replied.
IT. n
VIE VAS presenr-ne wanted 60 see her before ha
went The name OF Mobile RemDert then
called out. and the reply was that she was pres
ent, when rather gOod looking mulatto girl,
about twenty-five years OF age, appeared and
stood up on the wagon IN front Oh hlm. she ap.
pcared a little auecLed. lie took her by the nand
ana said In these exact words:-
"MOllle you see me where | am to-day. Be
good girl. quit all your pad ways. Put all OF
tuem uown. TINS Is a sample TO you. Tell your
mother Rood0y. Tel her to meet me In heaven.
MvllIe, gOod0yn
wagon into the crowd. MIR. 1tbbs tnen picked up
the prisoners Bible and said, 'JOe, here Is your
Bible; what 90 you want 10 DO vita itfr He TOOK
the Bible in his hand, aud after a moments renec-
ton reached out tor pencil IN the hands o re-
porter, ana again called Tor MolIe, VINO again ap-
peared before MN. lie turned to the nrst OF the
Blble aud wrote without trembling "Green.n
which was the name eiven nim by mis- mother.
TAKE tots Bible, said he, naming " TO hOille.
'Think OF me. Ny brother William, the next
brother 10 me- gave it 70 me. lie was
minister" piece OF back cam0ric was
taen pat over his eye-, before which
he shook hands with the Sheriff. jailers.
preacher and those who were near bin on inc
scanold ano Just as tue Snern JaIler and preacher
were stepping down from the scaff0id Joe inquired
the time OF day aud he was informed that IL was
two O'Clock. Alter the cap was drawn over ms
face ana all had got down on the gTouna and the
shern was about 70 cut the sprlng, ne called Mr.,
Mlllsaps again Oh the platform 10 MIN and asked,
".Afe you going TO 10 what you said you would
do-to
Being answered III the Affirmative. he then went
on into ms last prayer:-"Lord save me to-day.
lou know al tllugS. BE with me TINS DAY. Ne-
ceive me. DO Thy righteous sll not NINE; pray
receive me.u The fatal spring was then cut,
THIS TRAP FELL,
and the BODY Of Wilson Tell heavily 10 the length
OF tue rope. one loud scream, as n from woman.
was heard far away IN the crowd, ana All was
silent as death. Tue bOly oil wilson, a. ter beng
moliOnless Jew seconds, began severe struggle,
win efforts to release MS ughty-plni0ned arms.
then drawn up his BODY, plunged aoWn mis- feet
and shrugged IN violent cOntOrtlOns as II 10 save
himself. Inese spasmOdic ehor.s soon gave way
20 gradual c0ntractiOns of MS muscles, until
lite became extinct. anu the spirit OF Joe wilson
took LIS last nght TO the unknown world. the
humane manner OF our excellent sheriff, COX. as
well as the bearing oil Mr. 1bDs, we're highly ored
itable 10 those gentlemen. The manner ana
mode oil execution passed or without any OF the
wrctched mistakes wntcn often occur on sucn oc-
casions. Inc audience also, win hardly an ex-
ceptiOn behaved IN q becoming manner.
POLICE POSSIBILITIES.
To Yur Enron 0F THE UERALp.-