Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-03-21
coble's Exit.
Execution Of a Negro Preacher
at Wdlshester.-Flul History of
his Horrible Crime.


Winchester, last Thursday. GTeaI
trouble was expeliencedin select
ing place Tor the gallows on nc,
count Of opposition of the resi-
dents The sFot finally selected
was a quarter d a mile from
Winchester, i'll q bottom on The
park Of Elk River. From sun
RS crowds began pouring IN, and
0y noon the place OF execution
presented the appearance of an
immense camp. The saloons in
town all Remained open, and to
ward noon drunkenness became
very prevalent.
THE GALLONS
Consisted If a large platform,
from one side of which two posts
rose, crossed at the top by beam.
The trap-door projected from The
side, connected with a rope. Co
be spent "A miserable lime the last
night, sleeping of and on. He
awake at day light ard ate hear
ty breakfast. The time for the
execution was between ten and
three o'clock. The Sheriff gaze
Cuble the full extent Of time. The
condemned man arrived at the
SckttJId at 2 p. m, and noun ted
the steps with firm tread.
When asked if he had anything
to say he made speech, reitera-
ting what he had spid in his state
ment before he left Nashville. lie
also wrote out a statement that
morning Of the same tenor.
lie PROTESTED HIS INNOCENCE,
Aud declared that The witness
lied. lie was ready to die, and
would go to heaven. At 2 SO
The Sheriff adjusted the black
c p, and cut the rope and the drop
fell. The rope vas 100 dong, Co
ble's feet touching the ground.
He fell about four feet, sufficient
to break bis neck. TIE Sheriff
pulled up the rope and tied il
tighter. With one shrug of the
shoulders all was over with Coble.
lie was pronounced dead ia seven
MIMI es and cut down in twenty
five. CJbIe Beemed 70 kave no
Everybody considered
him guilty. His speech from the
scalfold caused no emotion what
ever.
TIE CRIME F WHICH He SUFFERED
Cobla Was about thirty-one
years Of age, and a very large
man, standing six Ieet high, and
weighing $50 pounds. For the
past six years, up 10 The time of
his arrest lie laLored amongthe co.
Ored people of bis section as
preacher. Gardner and Col lie
with their wives, occupied a small
boIse, containing two roOms, or.
he farm Of Mr.. W. 7. Woods
u rrdner was too intimate with
Coolies wife, and the latter, ever
a year before the murder, Sc, me
10 have directed lis thong is to
ward putting Gardner cut Of the
Wy. Their quarrels were fire.
luent, and daring one o. them Co /
be was just about pulling tbs
trigger, when his arm was seized !
By his wife, and by The interfere
ence OF others blood shedding was
prevented. Coble often afterward |
that he did not then. xii |
b S wiles seduce:, as lie termed !
him. lie was heard two or three
times TO declare that he could kill
1 man and place him in such
position that people would think
ne had com mitted suicide.
A lew days previous TO the trhg
.dy Coble asked Mr.. Woods if
nan were killed without witness
IS what would be done with the
murderer? Woods told him it de
pended on what he said aiterward. |
they were alone at the time in
the field, and Woods kept ON his
81 'rJ, fearing il might refer to
aim. Ga the day of the murder
vas committed, June q, 1876,
Woods was breaking mare to
harness in a lot some distance from
lie house. Coble was with him.
Ne ding certain part Of the gear,
ng he asked Coble where it was.
Jo5le replied that it was 10 his
house, aud both started for that .
place. Cpble hurried forward.
II