The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-15
THE GALLONS.
Three Colored Men Die by Legal Sen
tence for Double Murder.
ALL INNOCENCE.'
Extraordinary Effrontery Of The Three Cul-
prits in Their Dying Speeches.
A B l. A G * G r / M f.
INNOCENCE"
A B l. ACK G r I M f
[Br rELron ,pu TO THE HERALD. ]

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GoLpsBoRo. N. c.. June II, 1875.
Although the town was crowded with people to-day
from every section Of the county TO witness tho
ecut,on OF the notorious worev murderer, yet that
terrible retributive tragedy, in accordance with
State statute, conducted IN the jail yard, pri-
yutcly The condemned men had received spiritual
ministrations from number OF attendant
clergymep. both white and colored, and
all OF Them expressed themselves resigned to their
fate and ready meet their Creator. Tho scinod
was erected In the jail yard enclosure, and none but
the necessary deputy sherirs guards and few men,
bers OF the press were admitted. over SIX thousand
people were assembled The outside among whom
there was frequently considerable clamor during the
solemn proceedings.
INNOCENCE THE sCAFFoLD.
AZ two =. n. Noah Cherry assembled tho scaaoid
followed by Bob Thompson and Harris Atkinson.
Cherry occupied the centre. Atkinson stood on the
right and Thompson tho left. All we're calm, At
Kinson and Thompson evincng no emotion whatever.
Cherry said :-"old Noah Is to be hanged to-day Tor
nothing on Gods earth Everything that has been
said about mo and the worleys 10 wrong. am just
rs clear OF killing worley the judge who IN that
Court House. Ny hoarti clear Jerry Cox put this
on Us He done it, and did good business in clearing
himself Hc is about to have three innocent mon put
TO death. That rascal lied me. I"
Harris next spoke. He said:-"ft Is lies that put
me here; a lie made by Jerry Cox. and white
people helped TO make up his evidence" He
caumniatcd and accused OF tho attorneys for the
prosecution OF the grossest falsehoods, and SAID, III
what I say insults anybody can't help ~ His
enure remarks delivered in great bitterness
with righteousness stamped upon evcry feature.
Thompson then spoke:-''I suppose this Is the last
time will be together, and hope TO tell the truth
standing the gallows now that am about 10 die.
cad hvC oy aF R,llt tha Ha
ought to be sit,ing where am He told as grand a
lie as ever was. think Cox Old tho killing don't
know about Cherry aud Atkinson have to meet
my God In a few minutes, and wish TO meet Him In
truth 4 have made my peace with God"
Al throe p NJ. tho nooses were adjusted around
their necks and the black caps placed upon their
beads Their friends then bid them farewell AZ
i've minutes alter three tho drop iell and
Cherry, Thompson and Atkinson launched into
eternity cherry's neck was broken and he died In
stunty. In SIX minutes rhompson's heart ceased 10
boat and in seven inmates Atkinson was pronounced
dead At twenty seven minutes past three r. NJ. they
were cut down, placed In cofins and turned over 10
their friends for interment
THE CRIME
In Wayne county, N. c., about sixteen miles from
Goiasboro, on island In Neusc River, lived James
Morley, farmer with his vile and three little girls
His only near neghbors were coored people, among
them being three cuprlts VINO to-day nave PAID with
their lives the penalty OF one OF the ouIest crimes
witch ever stained the history o. the ola North state
Cherry appeared neighbours house and stated thut
IN passing woreys he had discovered the bodies OF
worley and his vile lying dead near the house. An
alarm being sounded largo party gathered, who, On
repairing % the sccne. found tho TWO bodies
mangied and exhibiting proofs OF tho most
nendish and brutal ferocity IN thor murder
Suspicion at attached to Cherry and Bob Thomp
SON. INT after the Coropers inquest they were dis
charged for lack OF evidence. Meanwhile nm intense
exciteme nt prevailed. An investigation ives set on
foot by the colored population. which brought
out . confession by one Jerry Cox naming
CHERRY, Thompson ana Harris Atkinson tho
and detailing tho circumstances OF the affair.
Cherry, who was sixty-nve years old, bad some time
before urdcr told associates oil his design to
unusual personal attractions. and II was found
thS he and his associates wished to-. rid
the neiehborhood Of Morley, who vas . check
upon their thefts OF timber, &c. According
20 the statement of Cox. which he reanlrmed the
trial, Cherry asked him on Monday to meet him at
sunset at a point near Worley's Cox kept the APP
pointmsnt Cherry got nm axe from It's place of
couccament and the two walked to Worley's In
front OF The house they met Thompson Atkinson.
NAMED the road while the others went
into the house. Soon after Cox Morley running
out pursued BY Cherry, who struck him repeatedly
with the axe, telling him, when Thompson came up
and struck him wisn n bludgeon. While this
going Cox Atkinson cnoking the woman, and
the murderers OF her husband joined him IN an out
Yageous assault which they followed by taking
her lie, Cherry killing her with hts axe,
aided by Atkinson, who struck hor several blows with
. heavy stick. These facts mainly proved by
the testimony OF Cox, but his evidence In many
points strongly supported by other proof and tho
of guilty rendered by tho Jury fully In accord
With the convictions OF all who hoard the trial.