The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-02
HANGING IN GEORGIA.
The Last Hours of a. Murderer who Thought
he saw the Ghost Of his Victim.

The information reached this CITY ONLY
Yesterday MAY 2sl Of the hanging Of Anthony
Collins. colored. n Kedsvilc. Tanall County
on Friday, tho 10th inst. COll.ns's crime was
the murder OF an infant
Sheriff Eason, who mad charge Of the hang
ing. had substantial homemade Eullows
erected M a convenient place three-quarters Of
q mile from Reidsyille. Tue news OF the hang
ing had gone abroad IN the county, ana it Is
estimated that from 1000 10 $500 persons OF all
Glasses colors. and conditions were assembled
They came in every kind OF vehicle and in all
manner Of dress. There was some Iii firulty IN
keeping the crowd aulet and orderly during tile
proceedings.
Sheriff Eason provided himself with strong
armed guard OF twelve picked men to ass st
MIN in tue work ana 70 guard against any sur
all prepared for his death. and placed him
upon his cOffin in II wagCy. Tho line 81 march
was taken W. and tho prisoners van was lol-
lowed by an immense crowd. that often pushed
close about the wagon.
=. When the grim cortegc almost ludicrous in
ton. Anthony wns told 10 get of the wagon and
mount the scaffuld. which be did with nlacrity
The rope was adjusted about his neck and he
was told that be might talk II he had any
thing he desired to say. Anthony signiied that
he had and began 10 say something in u
very low tone Of voice. hardly audible t. his
nearest hehrsrs. when some one called 20 him
10 speak louder" be- said that he could not
speak any louder. As he continued 1t WAS found
that no was incOherently uttering some random
suggestions OF his weak and stupehed brain.
Take warning from this. Don't got into
trouble. Keep In the right. MN accused Of
murder but don't feel in my heart thai ain a
murderer, but that all my sins is forgiven mo.
am going to heaven from here aud l want 10
meet all OF you there"
Sheriff Eason SAID to him Tone (for
HHInItIinonyl Il you want 70 tell ANYTHING about the
No, sir" he replied have arranged for
all that with Mr.. Williams"
Williams was the colured preacher who had
been visiting him in prison.
At tho conclusion Of An,hony's tangled re-
marks MI Williams read a part OF tn Gospel
OF Luke 23d chapter and led IN singing a
hymn, m which many white people and nearly
all OF the colored people joined fervently. The
song ended, the prea'her nude II prayer for the
salvation and peace Ot the doomed mans soul.
Anthony all this time looked curiously about
MN, ana seemed 10 enter with very little spirit
into the devoiiuns. He tried 10 talk again but
spoke - low TINT nothing b" sHld was heard.
Al :25 Sheriff Eason told Anthony that he
had only five minutes mor- TO live and taking
face Of the wretch Anthony continued his
Mufled talking under the can the sheriff
maegpwhile ANNOUNCING the aeeting minutes;
Four minutes"
Three mlnutr-"
Two mlnuirsl'
One mlnutr!"
Tone, your time IL out"
QUICK, severe blow ~ sharp axe parted the
rop' thni hrld up the platform Of the scafiOld.
hnu me body Of the condemned man fell down
with heavy rush and thud. and swung slowly
l",W"'u heaven and eurth. Ii remained 50 for
lWrNlb uNr minutes the crowd discussing tho
slGht with hat"i breath. or shouting in hystori-
CA eA 'lamAtlOus.