Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-04-05
DOUBLE EXECUTION.

twenty-four, and julius Christian, aged
twenty-five, who murdered Colonel Jno.
Calvin Lacy in New Kent county, Vir-
ginia, were hung March 25th, at New
Kent courthouse, Va, in the presence
of an immense crowd Of white and col
ored people. The condemned meh left
the Henrco Jail, in Richmond, where
they had been lodged for safe. keeping,
at i've o'clock in the morning, In charge
of Sheriff Register and ali ample guard.
They slept we'll at night, and set out for
the scene of the execution, which Is
twenty-five miles distance from Rich
mond with the utmost good humor.
They dressed themselves in new store
clothes, and as they walked along the
street on their way TO the New York
River depot they laughed and talked,
and seemed
AZ HAPPY AS A BIG Sun FLOWER.
They had been provided with money
by their relatives, and this they spent
for sandwiches and cigars at the lunch
COULTER in the depot. AS the train
pulled away the murderers poked their
heads out of car windows and gave three
cheers for Richmond. There were
few negroes, half dozen white sport
ing men, ten or twelve fancy girls and
twelve reporters on the cars, VINO went
TO see the work well done. At eleven
o'clock the party arrived at the Court
House, it being several miles from the
railroad station to that place. The
prisoners were taken into the Court
House building, where they shrouded
themselves, and were prayed for by q
colored Deacon. About 1880 they
we're led to the ga!lows. They said
they had request to make, which they
begged would be complied with. They
wanted 10
TAKE THEIR LAST MEAL ON THE sCAFFoLD.
The sheriff consented to this whm,
and the execution was delayed some
what OH this account. The prisoners
said they only wanted coffee, cornbread
and molasses, but they waotcd a good
deal OF it, such as it was. Accordingly
a colored woman in the neighborhood
went TO work and prepared the grub.
| In the meantime the murderers sat COM
posedly, the observed of all observers.
About twelve o'clock the repast was
ready. A rickety old table and two
chairs were loaned for the occasion.
| These were placed on the scaffold, and
90 the table were pot of steaming
coffee, two pones of corn bread, mug
of sorghum, plates, spoons, &c. Smith
took his coffee without cream, but
Christian called for some of the tactical
fluid. The cook had forgotten to send
any, and after little delay it was
brought. Then the negroes began their
meal. Ittook them nearly one hour to
| eat it.
THEY LAUGHED A GREAT DEAL,
And when they had cleared the dishes
they remarked: 1.-The old woman gets
up a first rate dinner" Then they each
smoked a cigar, and at one o'clock they
arose on the scaffold, and with grin
ming faces confessed the crime for which
they were condemned, and said they
would go straight to glory. AT the
close, and just before the ropes were
tied, they requested the crowd to sing
the negro hymn. "Peace, peace, on the
golden shore" Christian had fine
teuor voice, and Smith sung 4 pretty
fair bass, and after the tune had been
raised they both joined in with good
will. All of the colored spectators sang,
and altogether it was musical feature
of the show that might have been en-
joyed by disinterested spectators had
not the occasion been such serious
one. AT LIS o'clock all was ready.
Smith and Christian said Farewell" in
loud voice, and The prop was knocked
from under them. They swung off well,
and only uttered slight groans. Smith
weighed 100 pounds, and his neck was
broken; Christian weighed $50 and was
strangled. The remains were cut down
IN a half hour after the pulse ceased TO
beat, and were turned over TO their
friends.
THE GALLONS BALL.
"The negroes came in immense mum.
bers. 1t was a gala day for them, and
! ,hev were all in a holiday attire. The