The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-01-23

HEMP.
Hanging OF Riley White for the
Murder OF Thompson, nc
COrsICana.
Interview Of q Herald Reporter
with the Condemned Man.
lie Makes q Full Confession Of
the Crime ana Why II was
Committed.
ANNA inl 10 lho pnlln. nornld

Spec ial TO the Dallas Herald
CoRsIcANA, January 22, 1875.
Riley White, colored man, was
hanged here to-day for the murder Of
another Of his own race named Tom
Thompson. The killing occurred Sep
TENDER 4th, east Of the Central rail-
road track. Riley White lay In wait
Ing near tree as Thompson was on
his way home from work, seated upon
his dray two Of his little children
were also upon the dray with him. As
he appeared Riley lovelled hls gun at
Thompson and fred u heavy load of
duck shot Into his legs, producing
wounds from which he died In two
weeks. The murderer did not leave
the town, but remained ut his work at
the railroad tank until the next night,
when deputy Sheriff Morse found him
hid in a new well, arrested him and
placed the prisoner in the old Jail,
where he remained few days.
The old Jail was thought insecure and
he was sent to Jail in Houston, at
which place he was kept until n few
days before his trial He was then
brought here and tried on the 9th of
December. He was ably defended by
Frost, Forman and Harle, attorneys
appointed by the court, but the evi.
dence was 50 complete that all their
legal skill and ability awaited him
nothing, and he was convicted Of the
murder of Thompson. Three colored
men We're on the jury, and after the
Judge had delivered his change they
were but very short time in render
ing verdict. Judge Wood passed
sentence upon the prisoner in an i'm
pressive manner, and as the sentence
contains some advice TO the colored
people, Reproduce it.
Riley White, stand up!
Riley White, you are charged with
the murder Of Thomas Thompson, one
of your own race, 10y lying in wait aud
with malice afOrethought shooting
him and inllicting divers wounds upon
him,ot which wounds the said Thomp-
son languished and died on the 10th
day Of September, 1874. Tothis charge
by Indictment you plead not guilty"
and venire of iorty-live good and
la. xtftt hny 4
from these you have selected jury of
your countrymen; able and efficient
counsel have defended you under this
charge; the evidence was submitted to
the jury, and they were charged by the
court as to the law; the jury have re-
turned into open court IL verdict of
"Guilty of murder in the first degree,n
and assessed your punishment at
death by hanging" You have u had
q fair and impartial trial, and now
what have you to say why the sem
tence of the law should OF be pro-
nounced against you?
Well, Riley White, this is indeed a
solemn and impressive occasion, and
the duty impressed on me by law is the
most painful Que of my official life. To
consign citizen to II felon's CELL to
deprive him OF his liberty, and to brand
him with infimy, is indeed punish.
ment severe; but IN your case the mai
esty OF an outraged and violated law
demands Your life, and that you he con.
signed to felon's grave. "The blood
of your brother cries aloud from the
earth for vengeance"
Your victim was one Of your own
race. He was resident OF this city,
aud though an humble one. his LIE
was dear to him and claimed as fully
the protecting power OF the law az that
of the highest. He was industrious.
and respected by all. BY industry and
economy he had acquired small and
comfortable home, and, surrounded by
his wife and little ones, had a promise
OF many aud happy days. He was liy.
ing in the peace vi God and under The
protection OF the laws OF his country.
He had employed You In his service
and received you as one of his house
hold. While thus having his conf.
dence, 'you coveted your neigbbor,s
wife," and, prompted by your unholy
lusts and instigated by the devil, YOU
comprised the death ofyour friend and
benefactor. You armed yourself and
inyeigled into your service young
and unwary boy. You placed
in the street leading to
the home of your victim, and
yourself you laid in
wait, and in the deep shades of eve
ming, when Thompson was returning
home from his days work, seated on
bis dray and surrounded by three of
his little children, you advanced upon
him and fired the fatal shot. Your
dot and conduct showed premedita-
iona deliberation and nal CO afors.
bought almost without parallel In
be history of crime. The evidence as
eyeloped on the trial established /
hese facts and fully proved your guilt I
loo