The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-18
l Remarkable Scene At Knoxvil1e.
Tenn. Hanging of John Webb.

A Remarkable Scene At Knoxville,
Tenn.--Hanging Of John Webb.
John Webb, the murderer, was hung at
Knoxville, Tenn, Friday the 18th. At an
early hour crowds poured in from the country
to witness the execution. The streets near
the Jail We're thronged with All immense crowd.
1t was with difficulty that the guards could
prevent the crowd from breaking down the
oner.
The prisoner partook heartily of breakfast,
and called the attention Of the guards to thu.
fact it was the last new suit OF clothes he
10 O'Clock A. N. he dressed and asked tor a
razor to shave, which was refused, fearing vio-
lence. This angered him, aud he told the
sheriff to Ego to hell and take it with him y
At 80 the death warrant was read to him,
when he asked to read it himself. After fiji
fore God my execution is UNJUST" and kissed
the crucitix had been given him by priest. lie
also added that he forgave everybody;
that 1t was unjust to hang All innocent man.
Before leaving the Jail he bid Ayres, by whom
ne was employed 10 do the deed, good bye,
saying, cold fellow: you will have to pr,y
mighty hard for forgiveness OF the murder
EThe pA isoner walked promptly to the wagon
with his wife OH his arm, accompanied by
sheriff Swan and deputies and pries.. His
vile was much affected, and he endeavored to
console her. The procession moved to the
galtows, about one mile, with the Sheriff's
ing. Arriving there a circle was formed by
TWO military companies, and the posse wagon
was driven Immediately under the gallows,
when, at the prisoners request, the Sheriff
called Webb's and the State council to bid
them adieu. He briefly addressed the crowd
as follows: The statement made is true.
die an innocent man. You are killing me for
forgiven. He then requested the Sheriff to
call others, Mr.. Haskins, particularly. to
whom he said: want to say to you it is
serious thing you have done. If you want to
kill a man don't swear his lite away He then
denounced the whole party as having sworn
The night of the murder l stayed with you,
you know.
He then handed the letter to buckley, and
continued his remarks, saying: "rhe people
wanted to see poor old Jim Webb hung l
prayed for all last night. Look at me. Mark
what say die innocent The mayor
asked who was guilty if he was innoc ent which
ne declined to answer, saying Captain Wash.
lngton had the true statement, and. it would
be given to the public.
His wife implored him to tell all he knew.
just then messenger came and informed
Webb of the death Of his sister, and the funeral
to-day. He received the news with a pathetic
calmness, and his bold blue eyes wore far
OFT look, as though piercing the vale Of eter-
nifty. His wife urged him to pray for pardon.
to which he replied, "My dear wife, would
rather be in my place than that of many see
here.''
He showed great nerve, and held up un-
t1inchingly to the last. When binding his
eyes he offered his hand, saying, "You have
hold OF the best soldier you ever had" and
amid the agonizing screams of his wife he
mounted the rear seat OF the wagon, telling
the people to look, saying, 'Ive the best piece
OF furniture you have seen in many a
day" His wife was then led away lom the
terrible scene. The black cap was then drawn
over his face, and the moose adjusted, when
the wagon moved of, Webb leaning forward
and easing himself off, At 1.20 he was swing
ing in the air, and pronounced lifeless in 20
minutes, and when taken down presented a
natural appearance.
The Nashville Age OF the evening of the
execution published letter from B. Ayers to
Webb, which promises him a large reward to
commit the deed. Webb also said Richard
Dowell, who succeeded him two months ago,
was first to bring the proposal to him. This is
five deaths from the same cause.
OTHER EXECUTIONS
Wright W: Wheatley, one Of the murderers
Helena, Montana. He died neither contessing
guilt nor pleading innocence.
Thos. Withers, the negro hoy murderer, was
also executed Friday at Lynchburg, Va, Tor
the murder of = girl. His neck was not
broken, but death caused by strangulation.
He succeeded three times in raising his feet
on the edge of the trap, and drawing himself
He made a full confession.