The New York herald., 1877-02-10
JOHN W. EVERETT AVENGED.
The Tragedy Witnessed by q Vast Concourse Of
People, Mostly COlOred.
SCAFFOLD SCENES.
Ready to Die and Conscious'of the Justice
of Their Doom.
TWO VICIOUS LIVES CLOSED.
(sx TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]

(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
PoRr ToBAcco, Nd, Feb. g. 1877.
Yesterday this retired village, which has for somo
days past been ncrvousy preparing for the last
Of the murderous tragedy which begun In tho cold
booded slaughter Of John W. Everett last July, ana
to-day In execution OF the two colored
murderers, Charles Henry Simpson and Martin Henry,
was again convulscd with excitement by an apparently
we'll authenticated rumor that party negroes from
Washington would bc down the train, with an ex-
hibton resembling somewhat magic lantern. 1t
supposed by the citizens that this simply
10 mask suspected designs Of tho rcscuors.
The Sheriff Immediately sent deputies in all directions
TO summon posse comitatus, and by nightfall sixty
men. well armed with needle guns furnished by
tho State, wcrc collected IN the vicinity OF
the jail Pckets thrown out all tho roads
worrying at Port Tobacco. and many ludi-
than tragic transplred as the night The
magic lantern performance began with an in
creasing hrong Of spectators, but the Sheriff pounccd
down the exhibitor and bore him on the Office OF
Justice Boswell He then discovered to be the
Rev. Mr. Shannon, coiored, from Baltimore, who was
endeavorng in this way to raise money for charitable
purposes
ANOTHER CRIME CHARGED AGAINST SIMPSON.
A gentleman from st. Mary's county produced proof
to-day which leaves doubt that Simpson was guilty
Of crime more henous, fpossbc. than any he has yet
beon charged with. Whilo ne was working on the
Southern Maryland Railroad two old ladies' tho Misses
Julia and Dixie Galton, cruelty outraged by a
negro who had disguised himself with red ochre from
mill on the place where Simpson was living
THE EXECUTION.
The sun shone with unusual brightness this morn
ing. and the rays shot Port Tobacco Valley
they disclosed animated scene. The roads leading
INTO the little village filled with travellers the
majority on foot, but many pushing their way
to the county town in all the nondescript
vehicles Of which Southern Maryland can boast Car
rlages wagons, OK carts, donkey carts and buggles
choked up the highways. One not knowing what was
be festival. instead OF an execution BY O'clock
fully five thousand people collected In the vicinity
OF the galows, and tho hamlet had sweled into the
city.
THEIR LAST SLEEP.
The condemned men, after hearty supper, went to
bed last 4ht about eleven O'Clock and slept soundy
until awakened for breakfast This morning they par
took sparingly Of coffee, biscuits and BUTTER alter
religious exercises were commenced. Father Wiget
arrived later, while tho final preparations were being
"aue LOT tue A'an0a nra,,xc r,r cu.nns.
Captain Page, who had taken command OF tho i'm
proysed mta, I'M undertook 10 bring order out Of the
marched them in front Of the jail with commendablo
v'gor until the Fastaaian heroes were brought into
THE SPECTATORS.
In the meantime colorcd organization eighty
TX,
Josephs Catholic Beneficial Society," entered the village
from the direction of St Thomas, the Jesuit station
appearance Generally the vast crowd, Composed
principally OF blacks, was very orderly; but one
drunken brawer was seized by the guards and placed
While the condemned were engaged in their dcvo-
tions, low minutes before eleven o'clock, the
Shorn's guard was served with five rounds Of ammu-
ton and their needle guns were loaded. A platoon
marched to the vicinity OF the gaows and space
was
divided into two sections aud drawn up in Of the
@ n a'pg each Ssns A. ~ from sheriff
followed BY Simpson and Henry drapcd in white
shrouds tucked up at their waists with their hands
Sheriff Wade, Deputy Shcras Albert Wade. Edward
Edclinr and Frank Mcwilliams Drs. Diggos Will
tion brought up the In this order they marched
10 the place OF execution.
READY FOR DEATH.
Both Simpson and Henry wero remarkably cool and
collected and If not better prepared least better
structed than many of the criminals who pay the last
penalty TO outraged justice. just prior leaving the
jail tor the scanod, they sent for Colonel Hutchins,
the gentleman who secured their arrest and convic.
ton, and shook hands with him. saying thoy had felt
certain degree ot anmosity toward him, but all that
had passed away, and thoy were now conscious that
he had simply done his duty, and they anxious
10 assure him Of this change Of feeling
UPON
Tho gallows was reached at seventeen minutes after
eleven, and both Simpson and Henry mounted with
firm, quick steps, cvncng not the slightest fear or
trepdation and but Tor the twtchlng Of their fingers
Of all the vast multitude awcd into silence by the ter.
ribc tragedy about to be enacted their presence
wget then knelt and made low prayer, follow cd by
the culprits, both gazing upon the crucihx. Al
twenty minutes after eleven o'clock tho legs
tho SneriG and bis bis deputies pIUI'1 ana tbreo
minutes sterward the ropes ncrvously adjusted
sisting Both men were vigorously chewing tobacco
during this time, possibly to deaden their norvous
wore pair Of green goggles which gave srots:oue
feature to his appearance.
THE LAST SCENE.
The shrouds were now lowered about thom the |
black caps drawn down their faces per-
sons on the platform moved quietly OIL into the court
the trap tell and Henry Simpson and Martin Henry |
were launched into eternity.
RIGHTEOUS ExPIArIoN FOR MURDER.
At this point there a stampede OF horses and |
negroes, and for few moments the attention of the
spectators was drawn toward the movement. The
and tho rope Stretched foot more; but such was ts
density that IL slipped from It's position ON each OF |
less for three minutes and then shrugged hts shoulders
the rope having slipped to tho back Of his neck.
Simpson motioncss for four minutes after VIII ch
he drew his body up and his hands twitched
minute aiterward the bodies
Df u both quivered, and Henry drew up his
continued for seconds Seven minutes after the
rap fell Honry showed signs OF lie. About this timo
The bannisters around the porch OF a house which
great number OF persons, both male female chiefly
solorct had collected, gave way, and number were
prccipItacd 10 thc grounu lew scratcncS and some
bruises wore the only casualties.
Nine minutes having interviewed, the ply sicians ex
amined thc bodies and pronounced them both pulse
less. Alter they had been suffered to hang twenty
minutes the bodies werc lowered aud placed IN two |
PLAIN pinc collins under the gallows. The surgeons
gave II as their opinion that hoth had died by srangu
lation The struggles were very slight, and tho faces
scarcely contorted. Henry's eyes we're partially open
but Simpsons were shut and his tongue protrudcd.
They PROBABLY died very easily.
THE SPECTATORS DISPENSING.
q ecafio wax i,nu Evo
lreo bore IFS living freight thick backbirds and
The windows and cracks OF the old houses about
hc banks OF the creek studied with eyes eager
10 behold tho ghastly spectacle. Pcrpatetic vendors
Of unconsIdcrcd trlfes, such Pinchback jcweIry
paper, pens &c, drove thriving trado among
hc people. With tho exception Of the two in.
stances already alluded TO the order was
perfect. and the executions as auiet ana
invested with much soiennity as u is possible TO
Vrow around such horrible exhibitions. The bodies