The New York herald., 1878-02-23
e x GU TION.
AWretched Negro Pays the Penalty
of a Life of Crime.
A MONSTERS CONFESSION.
Career Of Henry Williams, alias Lewis Hill,
Ended on the GallowS.
[sx TELEGRAPH TO THE zxaALD.l

NORFOLK, Va, Fen. y. 1878
After many tedious months OF delay the brutal crime
sommitsod BY Henry Williams, alias Lewis Hi COL
osed was expiassd on the scaGold to-day tho county
seat OF Isle OF Wight county 10 tho presence OF an
Immense concourse OF the people Of the county, the
larger proportion OF whom wore colored, represent
Ing both sexes
Miss Margaret A. Stephens, the young girl on whom
Williams perpcirated his heinous offoncc, 10 the
daughter OF n poor but respectable widow living
Carrsviie Va. On Sunday, the 10Th Of August 1877,
MISS stephens started TO walk the public highway
from the house OF her uncle, Mr.. J. A. Carr, to
sawm,l OF Duck l. Johnson, where Henry
Williams had ut work since the Thurs
asy previous william; soon s started % through
mill. ana near the residence OF George W. Counco,
ana commanded her TO stop. She at once ran. but
the pcgro caught her. Alter brutaly beating her be-
cause she resisted him. he succeeded in accom- pshing
his criminal design, aud at once fed. Miss stephens
having raised an alarm got out warrant and he was
traced to Chuckatuck, Nansemond county, where he
arrested.
TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
Williams three times, tho jury disagreeing
on the frst and second occasions. aud on the third
agreeing on death verdict, ami the 18th OF
January was liked tor his execution. The prisoner
received tho sentence without any appearance OF emo
ton. In answer 70 appeal o counsel Governor
Holiday granted him respite for thirty days.
During the time thus gained illiams, with outside
aid by burning the floor OF the cell to which he was
chained. escaped on the night OF the 12tn inst He
found refuge in q distant part OF the county and
euded pursu! for three days. out being captured was
this morning led out Tor execution.
ExxCurIoN
Tho night before the execution tho condemned man
epjoye refreshing sleep, and arising early partook
OF slight breakfast OF crackers and tea. He was
not visited by any one but sheriff Edwards, who
suit OF lignt clothing HIS hitherto spiritual
advisers, Rev. Joseph y. Deaas, OF Smithhed, and
O'Clock he was led into the jail yard sad, accompanied
by Sheriff Edwards, Deputy Sheriff Robert Edwards
and Messrs. Finch aud Edwards. religious volunteer
was composed Of rough boards and uprights. A limo
was formed around the jail yard and the yard gate
scanoId tho prisoner was given ample opportunity
ana addressed the crowd for over hall an hour.
CONFESSION OF UNEoUALLED guilt.
He spoke OF his conviction as right and just and
declared his belief IN thorough pardon OF mis- sins
fesscd his guilt In cr,ninay assaultiug Miss Ste
phens and urged his hearers TO beware OF the evil
snccts OF passion ana bad associates Ais first
trouble in lie was about woman, an0 his next way
wardness was In committing an outrage on a white
woman in Matthews county, Va, for which he was
capsd alter one years. confinement to Wash
Ington and Now Jersey, whore the worst associates
bis most desirable friends, and he forever
lighting and stealing. In Elizabeth, n. j., ne
sentence OF i've years. Imprisonment for commit
smith. Alter serving his time out hc went to New
York city and got tive months TOR stealing.
He then left Tor Virginia, and nearly killed In
Richmond with slungshot about woman and then
escaping Surry county outraged negro woman, and
hcd 10 Isle oil Wight county. In this county he
ragged small school gtri and undoected and then
committed the crowning assault on MISS Margaret
Stephens, Tor which ho was apprehended ana con-
demned TO die.
ADVICE
ho urged the parents children not spare the
rod or give their children too much liberty or un-
worthy assocIatcs trusting to his fsrvent hope In
the faith OF recent aversion closed his remarkA
The kuot and back cap then adjusted, and,
ter prayer BY Rev. Mr. finon and inaudbie
prayer oy tho condemned, tho trap sprung
minutes past one O'Clock, ana the wfctchsd man was
launched forth and died In ten minutes, his neck
beng almost instantly broken the skull Dr.
Gavin Rawis pronounced lie extinct and the body
was cut down and buried temporarily short distance
from the jail ana the disposition Of Dr. j. J. Duck
whom the condemned wiiled bis remains.
The affair was quickly over and The largo throng In
attendance Was very quiet aud decorous