The New York herald., 1877-11-03
! IH.ANGED.
Double Execution in Beau
fort County, N. @. -.
A BRUTAL MURDER AVENGED.
P. Overton, White, and Noah Taylor, CoIored,
Expiatc Their Crimes on the ScafioId.
THE MURDER OF WILLIAM GRIMES.

WASHINGTON, Beaufort County. N. c., Nov. 2. 1871
Nathan r. Ovorton, white, agod thirtv-six, and
Noah Taylor coiorcd, agcd thirty -four. were to-day
executed In the jail yard hero for q murder perpc.
tratcd two years ago.
CRIME
On this day Two years ago tho peaceful inhabitants
OF Edgecombc county, in this State. startled oy
tho intelligence Of dastardly and cowardy attempt
at murder in their very midst Located about ten
miles from larooro, tho main county road. tho
store Of Elmer r. Grimes. supervised wholly by
hts brother william, an inoGeus.ve young
man aud respectable citizen. who had by
his urbane and courteous disposition
attained TO great popularity In that royion.
The night OF November 2, 1875, dark. the store
early deserted and William Grimes retired to bed
At twelve O'Clock he reused by knocking At the
door. He and admitted two mcn-ono white, the
other coiorod, both known TO him. They required
several articles which he proceeded to supply While
stooring down to draw some molasscs hc was struck
by the whto man heavy blow with axo, which
felicd him. Both Joined In tho deadly assault,
aud In short time Grimes lay tho floor with
broken skull, unconscious, and believed by his
sailants TO be dead. They then rummagcd tho store
stealing various articles, including tho contents Of tho
money TIL. Grimes lay In mortal agony through tho
night He was discovered In tho morning and re-
ccived such assistance kind friends and skiliul
doctors could rcndor but in vain. After days Of
torture he died from the effect of the murdercrs'
blows f f
THE cULpRrs
Before Grmos' death he named his assaants They
arrested and brought before him, when no fully
identified them the who had assaulted him.
Overton, originally boy volunteer In New York
regiment, was ono OF .Shcrman's Dummcrs," left IN
the Tar Hcc State by the Issues OF tho war; and Taylor
was vicious and black ana his dupe Overton
nd n .utt hut an
great tho excitement and the Indignation against
them that fears were always entertained that thoy
might be taken thence by mob ana strungup TO Tho
nearest lamp post or troe. Nss
Alter Indictment and arraignment in Edgecomb
that they afraid TO go TO trial thnt locality
account Of existing prejudice and an apprehension
that justice could not be donc them. Their trial
accordingly removed to Beaufort couaty.
TRIALS 4a&
The prisoners elected to be tried separately. Over
ton who was nrss arra,gned, was found guilty and
sentenced to bc hanged. He took appeal TO tho
OF tbs courS below ani rmcd A similar procedure
was enacted IN tho case OF Taylor only that no had
two trials, tho second ending In his conviction. Tho
Supreme Court ound no grounds Tor Interference IN
his case, and both wore sentenced 10 bc executed to-
day. Ha r Nn4fs-aa.Hlt NE .a. ,
LAST scEyxs
Last night Ovcrton ate hearty supper, but Taylor
was unable TO cat anything. Ovcrton begged tor COM
pany, In CON pancc with request the jaor's
sou remained win him all night lilo was restless
and unoasy. Taylor slept very soundy, and botn alto
hearty breakfast Al nine NJ the ministers called.
and Overton signed statement, previously written,
protesting hts innocence IN tho presence Of tho sheriff
and members of the press A. half-past ten A. NJ tho
| condemned mon werc takcn from tho jail and
they marched 10 the scal0d with Grm and steady
step, accompanied by tho Shcrin's posse and their
spiritual advisers The fatal was thcn adjusted,
the warrant OF execution was read and this loI.
| lowed by prayer from tho attending clergy.
| @ DYING DECLARATIONS.
Taylor thcn accused Overton or tho murder OF
| Grmos, and stated that Overton had confessed the
| same to him. Hc declared his innocence the last,
and strenuously urged both white AMI coorcd to
| stain from bad company. The negro continued calm
and nrm while Overton exhibited great nervousness
and was very stubborn. E9A - + 81
JUSTICE SATISFIED
Sheriff Satchwcl then bade the criminals goodby
and adjusted Tho black At half past tho
drop fell and the condemned men suspended In
mid air, side by side. The fall four and a half
fcet There were few contortions of tho faces, and
with tho exception oi shrug OF tho shoulders.
tons OF tho frames were visible In sixteen minutes
pulsation had ceased though their necks were not
broken, and Ia q momont two aftcrward lifo was
pronounced extinct BY tho attending physcianG AZ
twelve O'Clock the bodies were !. cut down
and placed In coIlna 0vcrton's last words
were, 20 Lord, receive me IN Thy Kingdom" Tay-
lors last words vcre ~ want you all pray Tor mo
die m Innocent man." The father of Grimes, tho
murdered man, rode hfty miles witness tho exccu-
tion. 10 which but few wore admitted cxccpt report.
ers, guards, clergy and officials Tho dread ceremony
was we'll conducted. and everything was ordery and
niol