The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-05-02
HELLWA- aDS BY HEMP.
nansiD & of a Negro Wretch, Which
Was Too Good Punish
ment for Him.
A Black Fiend who Butchered His Baby
Because Ii Couldn't Walk.

DtcduSt
The most horrible crime in the records OF
the state was expiated on the gallows at
Springfield, Georgia, last Tuesday, George
Williams. colOred, having been hung for the
murder of his infant son William. On the
9Th of August, 1875, the partially decom-
posed body of child, apparently about
two years of age, was found in the woods
near Williams's house. The body showed
that the wretched child had undergone
horrible mutilation before death. The
right foot was burned OFF, and the leg shriv-
eled nearly to the knee The face was badly
burned, and there was a deep cut across the
forehead, the skull being crushed in. The
eyes were terribly swollen, and there was
large bruised spot Just below the navel. De-
spite the mutilation, the body was recOg-
nized as that OF the infant son of George
Williams. He was at once arrested and
brought before a coroners jury.
The investigation disclosed that the father
became enraged with the child because 1t
was backward in learning to walk. Having
started it across the floor two or three times
only to see it totter and fall, he seized
barrel stave and beat il severely over the
back and head Finding it still unable to
walk. he held it over the fire until its foot
was burned away and it's face badly scorch-
ed He then threw it on the floor and
stamped it on the stomach, and then crush
ed its head in with large box. These facts
were each brought out plainly, and the
father then confessed to the whole matter,
pleading in extenuatlon only that he did not
intend to kill the child. In proof of his mo-
tive witness was introduced who swore that
Williams had ted HIM some days previous
that he intended to kill the boy as he was
@no account" Willie was the child of a first
wife, his father having married a second
time.
When put upon trial he was promptly
convicted of murder in the first degree and
was sentenced to be hung Through some
technicality he obtained a new trial, upon
which he was again convicted, and a new
sentence was passed His case was carried
to the supreme court without other avail
than delay, and he was hung to-day in ac-
cordance with his third sentence of death.
The prisoner, short, thick set, stolid ne
gro, has been in the Chatham county Jail for
several weeks While there he was fire.
quently visited by certain Benedictine
monks, and last week professed conversion
and Joined the Catholic church. Since that
time he 0as been an enthusiast, and said fire.
quently that he longed for 'the happy hour
to come when his soul would be released
from the cares of this world and "let fly to
the arms of Jesus" On yesterday he was
brought to this place and placed in the coun-
ty Jail A strong guard was kept around this
building during the night, as 1t was feared
that rescue might be attempted
1t will be noticed that the execution has
taken place on Tuesday. The judge of this
circuit has determined to lift one unlucky
owner from Fridays shoulders, and to rid
it of the title of ''hangman's day" All his
death sentences have been executed on
other days than Friday.
The preparations for the execution were
very simple.
A rude gibbet was constructed and placed
in a strip of woods about quarter of mile
from the court house, but in full view of it.
A drop platform, working upon a trigger,
was used.
The scene around the gallows was very ex-
citing. No-disturbance, however, occurred.
The bingham huzzars, mounted and
equipped, were acting as a guard. The
Catholic priests who had come to the scaffold
were denied access to the prisoner, who
pressed a desire for colored minister, and
the Rev. Mr. Rawls, colored Baptist
preacher in the neighborhOOd was brought
to him. Religious services were held at the
foot of the scaffod, the prisoner remaining
unmoved during the entire time, while
hymn was sung by choir of five colored
men. After prayer by the minister the pris-
oner addressed the crowd, numbering about
600 men, women and children, white and
black. He said:
Friends, all, | will shortly see Gods face.
hope you will try to see me there. / do
not feel well enough to talk to you much. /
hope you Will meet me in heaven. Now /
have found God IN peace. l am soldier of
of the cross and feel resigned to die-willing
to die. Nothing grieves me. L hope you
will continue in prayer, and remember the
way in which / go to the next world bet
ter world than this am accused of a crime.
am innocent of the crime. / feel my way
clear to glory"
The prisoner then turned to the deputy
sheriff and inquired, AFTER my death who
will have control of my body?" The sheriff
replied, Il will" The condemned man
said, "f my people desire my body give it
to them for burial. have no more to say"
At three minutes past 10 the deputy sher-
iff bound the prisoner. Five minutes later
the prisoner took leave of his friends and as
cended the scaffold. maintaining great in
difference. AT 10 minutes past 1 the moose
was arranged around the unfortunate mans
neck by the deputy sheriff, under the direc-
ton of Dr. Norton, and Williams still re-
manned unmoved. At fifteen minutes past
the black cap was drawn over his head,
when he trembled slightly One minute
later the trap was sprung and the body was
dangling in the air. The body quIvered
about two minutes. In five minutes it
was cut down, and examined by DIR. Norton,
when life was pronounced extinct.
a..o-fo..ss.x.s