Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-03-27
FANCY FROlICS
or A COUPLE OF CONDEMNED Me-
GR0ES.
Going to the Gallows With Cheers and
Laughter-An Hour Spent on the Scat
fold in Eating Square Meal Be
fore Their Leap in the Dark.

RICHMOND, March 25.-The two ne
groes, Pat Smith, aged twenty-four, anC
julius Christian, aged twenty-five, who
murdered Colonel John Calvin Lacy in
New Kent county, Virginia, were hung
to-day at New Kent courthouse, in the
presence Of an immense crowd of white
and colored people. The condemned
men left the Henrico Jail, in this city
where they had been lodged for safe
keeping, at five O'Clock this morning, in
charge OF Sheriff Royster and
an ample guard. They slept well
last night, and set out for the
scene of the execution, which is twenty
five miles distant from here with the
utmost good humOr. They dressed
themselves in new store clothes, and as
they walked along the street on thei
way 10 the New York River depot they
laughed and talked, and seemed
AS Happy as N Big Sun Flower.
They had been provided with money
by their relatives, and this they spent
for sandwiches and cigars at the lunch
counter in the depot. AS the train
puffed away the murderers poked their
heads out Ofcar windows and gave thrOe
cheers for Richmond. There were few
negroes, q half dozen white sportingmen,
ten or twelve fancy girls and twelve
reporters on the cars, who went to see the
work well done. At eleven o'clock the
party arrived at the Court House, il be-
ing several miles from the railroad sta
ton to that place. The prisoners were
taken into the Court House building,
where they shrouded themselves, and
were prayed for by colored Deacon.
About ll:30 they were led TO the gal
lows. They said they had request TO
make, which they begged would be COM
piled with. They wanted TO.
Take their Last Meal on the scaffald.
The sheriff consented to this whim,
and the execution was delayed some
what on this account. The prisoners
said they only wanted coffee, corn
bread and molaSses, but they wanted
good deal of it, such us it was. Accord
ingly a colOred woman in the neighbOr-
hood went 10 work and prepared the
grub. In the meantimS the muir
dererS sat composedly, the observed
OF all observers, About twelve o'clock
the rcpaSt was ready, \ riCkety old
table and two chairs were loaned for the
occasion. These were placed on the
scailOld, and on the table were pot of
steaming coffee, two poncs OF corn bread,
mug of sorghum, plates, spoons, &c.
tool. h3l IT,. shout .r.a,,, I'm
Christian called for some OF the tactical
tiuid The cook had forgotten TO send
any, and after little delay it was
brought. Then the negroes began their
meal. Ii took them nearly one hour TO
eat IT,
And when they had cleared the dishes
they remarked: The old woman gets
up a first rate dinner Then they each
smoked a cigar, and at one o'clock they
arose on the scafiold, and with grin
ming faces confessed the crime for which
they were condemned, and said they
would 20 straight 20 glory. At the close,
and lust before the ropes were tied, they
requested the crowd to sing the negro
HYMN, Peace, peace, on the golden
shore" Christian had fine tenor
voice. and Smith sung pretty fair
bass, and after the tune had been raised
they both joined in with a good Will:
All of the colored spectators sang, and
altogether il was musical feature Ol
the show that might have been enjoyed
bv disintercsted spectators had not the
occasion been such serious one. At
Ills o'clock all was ready. Smith and
Christian said Farewell" in a loud
voice. and the prop was Knocked from
under them. They swung off well, and
only uttered slight groans. Smith
weighed 1910 pounds, and his neck was
broken; Christian weighed $50 and was
strangled. The remains were cut down
i'm half hour after the pulse ceased tn
beat, and were turned over 10 their
friends