The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-11-24
THE GALLows IN TowsoNTowN.
Execution of James Roseberry Hawkins
Colored, for the Crime of Rape.


The execution of James Roseberry Hawkins, for
the crime of rape, committed on the person of Ida
ShaefIer, young white girl, near her home in the
18th district of this county, in May last took place
in the Jail yard at Towsontown, on Friday morn
ing of this week.
The circumstances of the outrage for which
Hawkins suffered death have already been made
public. lie met the little girl on the public road,
tied her to tree and after splitting tobacco juice
in her eyes brutally outraged her person. He was
arrested and lodged in Jail at this place, but upon
his case coming up for trial it was removed to
Howard county Court, where he was convicted
and sentenced to be hanged.
The gallows on which Hawkins was hung was
erected in the Jail yard, short distance from the
building, and the same used for the execution
of Pritchard and Palmer. 1t is very substantial
structure, the trap being eleven feet from the
ground The rope used was made especially for
the purpose to the order of Sheriff WOrthingtOn,
and is about fve-eighths of an inch in thickness
and was tested with 1000 pound weight.
Up to Thursday Hawkins had little to say with
reference to his guilt or innocence, refusing to
converse on the subject but on that day Thurs
day. he made a full confession of the crime but
asked that it should not be made public until af-
ter he hung His request was complied with.
As early five o'clock on Friday morning peo-
pie from different sections of the county commence
ed to arrive in TOwsOntOwn to witness the eXecu-
ton, and the slumbers of citizens were dis
turbed at that early hour by the firing of pistols,
hooting, yelling, &C. From this circumstance
alone pretty correct idea can be formed of the
kind of men who would ride twelve fifteen
miles, through darkness and rain, to witness such
scene.
Hawkins partook of a light breakfast at 4
o'clock. At about half past eight o'clock Revs.
Rice Gray and Trout and Rev. Daniels, the latter
colored, entered the cell and conducted religious
ceremonies While Mr.. Rice was praying he was
interrupted by Hawkins, who made lengthy
prayer, saying that he was prepared to die and
| asking God to forgive his sins. Several hymns
were sung and prayers offered by the other minis
| tiers. Hawkins joined IN the singing, his voice
being strong and firm. Hawkins then became
| very much excited and swoOned, but was restored
| in Il few moments.
At the conclusion of the religious ceremonies,
Sheriff Worthington, accompanied by Deputy
Sheriff Risteau and Col. Snowden, Sheriff of Bal
timore city, entered the cell Mr.. Risteau carry
| ing the shroud. The arms of the doomed man
were then pinioned by JAS II. Lindsey, after
which the shroud was adjusted, and at % min
utes past the procession was formed and started
to the scaffold, emerging from the back door of
| the prison. Hawkins was in his stocking feet,
he having refused to put his shoes on.
| Hawkins assembled the scaffold with a firm step,
assisted by Deputy Sheriff Risteau. On the scat
fold prayer was offered by Reys. Rice and Gray,
after which the 5lst Psalm was read by Mr.. Gray.
Hawkins made few remarks in which he asked
that his father be allowed to take his body. He
looked over the crowd and as he recognized his
friends he babe them goodbye. Mr.. Gray stated
| that Hawkins had made full confession.
The moose was then adjusted by Sheriff Worth
ington and the black cap drawn over his head and
face All then descended from the scaffold except
the Sheriff, who, after bidding Hawkins good bye
descended the steps and as he did so touched the
fatal spring which launched him into eternity.
The fall which was between and feet, oc-
Cured at 30 minutes after 9, after which the body
remained suspended until minutes of 10, when
it was lowered The body was examined by DR..
j. II. Scarf, of BALTIC. city, and Drs jarrett, Car
penter and Galloway, of this county, who pro-
nounced life extinct The neck was not broken,
death having been caused by strangulation.
The body was then placed in the coffin and was
taken charge of by his parents.
There were between three and four hundred per-
sons present. and everything passed off in quiet
and orderly manner.