The New York herald., 1877-09-22
THE HANGMAN'S MOOSE.
EXECUTION OF JOHN RHODES, MULATTo, FOR
THE MURDER OF JAMES TEMPLE.

THE MURDER OF JAMES TEMPLE.
NEWCASTLE, Del, Sept 81 1871
On q scaiold erected in the yard OF the Newcastle
Jail, opposite the plllory and whippns post, John
Rhodes this morning pad the extreme penalty OF the
law by death at the hands Of the hangman. Rhodes
was mulatto On his trial premeditated murder was
not proven and the prisoners evideace OF killing in
sedefence was not disproven. Aitcr the verdict OF
guilty OF murder Ia tho first degree had been recorded
against him the Judge before whom he tried, the
Sheriff who to-day hanged him, and the twelve
jurymen who pronounced him guilty united IN a petit
tion 10 the Governor asking for his reprieve.
HOW TIKI TROUBLE oRIGiSATED.
Both men lived in Wilmington. Rhodes who was
about twenty-eght years old, born and raised in
Smyrna. He was set free before the by his
ter, who gave him good character. Lucinda Dock
ray, an unattractiye negro woman, Tor seven years
past lived with Rhodes his vito. Recently he had
had quarrel with the parents OF the woman and she
lived with her father and mother on lonely road out
side the city, not far from the corporation limits.
James Temple, iull-olooded negro OF nearly nity
years, night scsvengcr IN Wilmington and much
better or than Rhodes, although n married man,
formed designs upon LUCINDA Dockray aud was encour
aged by her parents. Temple threatened to kil
Rhodes II hc did not cease visiting the woman.
On sunday morning, April - the body Of Temple
was ound lying on the causcway, road just without
Wilmington, not far from tho hut in which the
Dockray's live. His skull was fractured and his
throat cut IN shasty manner. Lucinda pockray
among the hrst TO accuse Rhodes OF the deed On
tho trial she sworc to having heard Rhodes threaten
10 ''hx' Temple but AS she caught robbiug the
mu,ilated body OF the murdered her evidence
not trustworthy.
RHODES coyFEssEs
Rhodes was arrested early IN the morncg at his
breakfast table. he made no resistance and during
the day confessed his crime before Coroner's IN
quest Hc said hc was FIRST attacked by Temple with
bricks aud knife. and that he threw stone IN self
defence. This stone fractured Temples scull and
with Temples kniie Rhodes cut his victims throat.
Principally upon his own confession Rhodes
viccd ana sentenced to be hung. Executive cemcncy
was denied him Notwithstanding The appeal me toned,
and the muatto prepared himself tor death under the
spiritual minstrations OF Rev. Nr. Spotswood, of the
Presbyterian Church OF Newcastle, aud the Rev. Isaac
Young, colored preacher
The moment he came upon the platform Rhodes
looked around on the crowd and asked, swell gentle
men, you haven't got thing against me- have you p?
When no ono responded he nodded his head with
satisfied AR and was about to continue, when sign
was made TO him TO be quiet. MIR. Spottswood then
prayed briefly tor divno mercy upon The soul OF the
condemned, concluding wita the Lords Prayer,
Rhodes standing with closed eyes. Rhodes then re
peated the question he had asked before than kcd
the jaior, the Sheriff and several ladies who had be-
slowed little kindnesses upon him in jail After be
had mentioned these persons by name said: -
"And now goodbye, Tor am gong home"
The moose was adjusted and the black pulled down
His arms and hands had previously been pinoned AT
twenty Inc III nutes to eleven the ronc holding the
trap door was cut and the condemned dropped about
five ieet eight inches The neck not broken, but
hc died quietly vi strangulatou in about minutes
with scarcely struggle. In about halt an hour tho
body was cut down, when the usual Coroner's verdict
mother OF Rhodes, who waited In tue corridor until
the execution over