The New York herald., 1879-03-29
H A N G e d..
Knox Martin Pays the Penalty Of a
Brutal Double Murder.
IMPATIENT TO DIE.
A Sleeping Man and His Wife Drained IN
Their Bed for Plunder.
SCENES AT THE EXECUTION
lsr TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.l

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
NAsHvILLE Tenn., March %. 1879.
Knoi Martin (colored arose early this morning
after a refreshing nights sleep, and donncd his
bural clothes given to him by his physicians. con-
sisting of 4 black coat and navy blue pantaloons,
white shirt and sih hat. in which he desired to have
hisphotograph taken. His request was granted.
MARTENS CONFESSION.
He made confession, saying that he and George
Berry, who had him arrested, had made up their
minds TO kill wittemeier. They met in a woodland
near his house the night of the murder and went
to the house together, Berry going in first. Berry
struck him with stone and then he struck. Berry
Knocked him senseless the first blow. When he had
struck Mrs. wittemeier tho fret time Barry told him
to hit her again, which he did, killing her. Berry
robbed drawer Of money in big bills. Of which no
only got nifty cents.
THE ROAD TO THE oALLOws.
Shortly before leaving the Jail he asked for glass
of wine He shed tears for the first timo when his
brother left him. He grew exceedingly restless
after eleven o'clock. wishing that the sheriff might
take him the scafod at once saying that he had
nothing to fear and wanted to die. His departure
from the jail was witnessed by 5000 people. packed
in a solid along the street. He smoked
cigar and seemed to be Indifferent to
his surroundings. On tho way out plank
In the bottom Of the wagon gave way
and he fell through, hanging by his arms. He was
brought up smiling saying. "Not yet" The scafyod
was erected mile from the city. in valley sur
rounded by three high hills, which were at least
$1,000 people, two-thirds of whom negroes. and
three-fourths of the latter were women John Fos-
ter and wife, father and mother of Mrs. Wittcmeler,
and the entire family including the infant left asleep
on it's dead mothers breast, were present near the
scafold. They were disappointed. as was also the
vast assemblage at his not speaking.
THE scAFFoLD.
As Martin ascended the scaffold he showed weak
ness and tremblcd. He bade Fathers vealo and Ryan
and Sh eriff Price goodby The rope cut and the
negroes gave long mournful groan, while others
shouted. Just at that moment Joseph Richards.
spectator, sat down his pistol which exploded,
wounding little girl named Lilly Meyers in the
feshy part of the leg. and producing general stam-
pede. Martins neck broken in the fall of four
and half feet and he gave only three convulsive
muscular contractions. He was cut down in nine
teen minutes and given to physicians, who
carried the body to tent.
MEDICAL EXPERIMENTS.
They stripped of the clothing, cut the rope from
the neck. rubbed the body and applied electric bat
teries. The muscles of his face twitched convul-
yond resuscitation his body removed to the
medical college for dissection, he having previously
given his remains to the doctors. The crowd was
densely packed around the physicians while attempt
ing to resuscitate Martin that they were almost
sufocated. the tent having been torn away
by the incorrjgible and persistent crowd Berry is
reported to have fed to parts unknown.
HISTORY OF THE CHIME
boicai and crnei deeds ever recorded in the annals
of crime. His victims, for his crime was double
one, We're John wittemeier and his wife, living in
victed by his own confession, the murderer paid the
extreme penalty of the law just two months and
41.x al 30 nrrn n.
night of the 14th of January Martin. who had
been told by "Aunt Mary" negro witch
went to the atters house at about eight o'clock in
the evening. The family lived in an ordinary log
cabin. having two doors and window. none OF
Two little chdren-onc an infant and the other
about three years oid-wcre sleeping with their
In deep. sound slumber. The murderer
opened the door and he did the
sound awakened wittemeier. who sprang up in bed.
rushed upon him before he was fairly awakened and
with long wagon spoke dealt him blow that felled
his victim and killed him instantly. The long end
OF the murderous stick extended across the bed and
struck the sleeping wife in the face This awakened
the brutal night prower completed his bloody
work by killing the woman also. The two little
children did not awaken but slept on calmly all nm
taken them in the night. When the deed was done
the murderer stood looking calmlya moment or so
on his victims. then drew the cover up and hid the
bloody sight from view. washbasn was stand
ing in the room. and in this the negro
washed his hands. leaving in it the bloody
water. which was seen next morning. The wagon
spoke he burned up and after ransackng the bureau
drawers. whore he obtained ifty cents, he appro-
priatcd pair OF pantaloons, hat and coat to-
geher with rings and brcastpin, and went
out into the yard. where pile Of hay was lying.
upon which he threw himself and went fast asleep.
At sunrise he awoke and came immediately into
town.
THE DISCOVERY.
When the day began to wear on young sistcr-in-
law OF Mrs. Wittceier and the laters eldest child,
little girl nearly five years Of age, who Ind slept
the night OF tho murder at the house of her grand
parents. some three or four hundred yards
distant. went to the Wittcmeier dwelling and
first discovered the dead forms. Their screams
brought John Foster, Mrs. wittcIneier's father,
who was going to the river to his work.
Other persons too, hurried to the scene. When first
discovered the two sleeping children had not been
awakened, and tho youngest still lying on its
mothers breast. The room was disordcred; two or
three rocks and an iron wedge were on chair near
the bedside. The pan OF bloody water observed
aud the articles OF clothing missed. No bloody in
strument was found. and 1t was not until the con-
fession of the criminal that 1t was known what In
strument he had used.
AnnEsrEp.
From the fact that Knox Martin was seen skulkinq
in the noighborhood and had crossed the ferry
that place. and from other circumstances suspicion
at once rested upon him. and in the first published
account of the double murder no was spoken Of. ~
having committed the deed, aud IL was through
this publication that he was approhcnded.
II seems that Knox Martin game into
town and went to sec another negro named George
berry who was an old acquaintance aud friend.
berry had tile account oil lilo and told
Martin he suspected, and asked him did he per-
pctrato It, Martin denied at first, but afterward
knowledged II ia full. AS Berry
this point he told gentleman of 1t and tho latter put
the authorities on the track. That evening"
as Martin was eating his supper, the officers came
upon him. He jumped TO fly, but halted when pis-
to Was presented at his head. On his way Jail be
again told the tale Of his horrible crime. Upon his
person were tne rings and brcastpin. identified az.
having belonged TO Mrs. wattencicr. Tho hat, coat
and pantaoons wero found at Potter Martins house,
where tho criminal was arrested.
LITTLE MORE MUTE.
The negro had forbidding countcnsnce and be-
1onscd TO the pure African race. In appearance no
was not unlike n gorilla with reccdng forehead.
large thick lips. hanging undcijsvs fat noeo kiuky
hair and skin black Get. His trial canc
on In February. The verdict of murder In
the first degree rendered against him
aud to-day appointed for his execution.
Although given the opportunity. he would take no
appeal his fronds having crroncously told him thore
would be danger Of his being mobbcd IL he did Tho
hdeous picture Of being dragged through tho streets
by excited populacc drawn 10 him in tho CONVEX