The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-06
The DROP" IN MARYLAND.

MEDFoRD WATERS, coLoRED MURDERER.
ExECUTED-A VERY BRIEF ADDRESS FROM
THE sCAFFoLD- DEATH MADE EASY.
ELXToN Dec. 8. 1870.
Preparations for the execution to-day of Medford
Waters (colored), aged eighteen for the murder OF
November Is. 1873. of Jenkins whaley (colored.
Cecilton. in this county completed this morn
ing by the erection of q scaffold on the almshouse
property. three and half miles from the town.
Waters was visited yesterday by Rev. Mr.. Williams
and other colored ministers. and his manner here
tofore indifferent. changed somewhat. Since his
sentence he has been visited in succession by Rev.
Messrs. Ridgway and Smith. Methodist ministers.
and Rev. H. A. Skinner. an Episcopal clergyman.
whose efforts seemed to have effect on him. More
recently Rev. Messrs. BENJAMIN Freeman. Henry
Williams. Charles Bouidin. Samuel Scarr. J. H. Man
ley and J. H. Collect, colored ministers. have sue
ceeded in making him realize his situation assisted
by John Perkins, u lay reader, for whom Waters
manifested some attachment. The colorsd min
listers left him ut ten O'Clock last night and
lie retired. but unable to sleep. At one
O'Clock this morning Mr.. Perkins went into his
cell and prayed with him until six O'clock the pris
oner sleeping q little during that time. Mr..
Perkins left him at halfpast six O'Clock. Rev.
Messrs. O. H. Williams j. II. Collect visited him
in his cell little after eight O'Clock and conducted
religious exercises. The services consisted the
reading of the twenty-third Psalm and the fifth and
fifteenth chapters of Revelation by Mr. Collett. and
the singing OF the hymn. "Ill meot you there"
Alter which Waters breakfast was brought to him.
He ate sparingly and smoked cigar. while the
services were continued by singing.
PREPARING YoR THE GALLows
Mr.. Perkins came in later and took part in the
ercises after which Waters dressed for the gal
lows. During the exercises he maintained . stoical
demesnor. though while at prayer he uttered un-
Ineligible appeal for mercy He was resigned and
ton. coored. who had slept with Waters since his
condemnation refused to stay in the cell last night.
but present during the religious exercises this
morning. rd 20 ten shs were ere
other prisoners. was taken from his cell and placed
in wagon, with Sheriff Bouldon and two deputies
and started for the place OF execution. The Groome
Guards, numbering forty men, formed the guard
The crowd at the jail was small. The procession
moved out to Cherry Hill. the point where the gal
about ono thousand persons, consisting principally
of farmers from the surrounding country. Very few
negroes present. that class seeming to take
interest in the execution.
rARDY EXPLOITATION.
few minutes past eleven O'Clock services were
commenced on the scaffod and occupied thirty-two
minutes The service consisted in reading the
Scripture singing II am born TO die" aud Jesus.
Lover OF My Soul" in which the prisoner joined
After prayer by Mr.. Perkins Waters made an sd-
dress. He kaid:--
my DEAR FRIKxps--Do you sec what condition
am In? But, thank God. am able to say with Q
clear conscience that God has pardoned me- Never
me. trust you may never he whore am. May
God bless you and stand by you to eternity. May
God receive my soul through Jesus Christ my Re
deemer Amen!"
The black cap was put over his head and the noose
adjusted. There being some delay In longthcning
the rope. ut Waters own request he refnan ned stand
ing on the Drop exhibiting great hrmness and called
out. Don't none OF you ever take this pattern.
Keep out OF i'll" He thanked the sheriff aud cried
out several ''goodbys" to the crowd and for his
fellow prisoners The drop fell at twenty min
utes to twelve O'clock The fall six feet and his
death easy. This Is the first public execution in
this county since 1855. Tho body was buried noar
the scadold.