The New York herald., 1879-03-26
BRUTAL MURDER AVENGED.
Patrick Smith and julius Christian
Hanged in Virginia.
'cALLoUSNESS OF THE cULPRlTs
Speedy Retnbution Follows the Killing
Of J. c. Lacy.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.l

January last was avenged here to-day by tho
execution of his murlerers, Patrick Smith
and Julius Christian. No tragedy be-
fore created such terrible Indignation in
New Ecnt county. The prisoners have been
in the Jail of Henrico county. there is mono
here, but We're brought from Richmond this morn
ing Leaving that city by the cars at six O'Clock they
were met at Summit Station. on the York River and
Chesapeake Railroad where they placed in a
wagon and surrounded by an armed guard of twenty
mon. On the way the prisoners chatted and
very freely discussed the crime for which they
their way to pay the penalty. frequently laughing
when they explained the dexterity with which they
caught Lacy. gashed his throat and finally despatched
him. They seemed to gloat the last appeal he
made for mercy. and Smith was boisterously merry
in describing the death struggle of the victim.
UTTERLY UNhEpENTENT
II was difficult to understand whethor they were
the most hardened and abandoned criminals
or merely ignorant brutes. They smoked cigars
with evident RELISH and begged for ten cent pieces
of silver which they said they wished ito keep" One
of those who accompanied them remarked that he felt
sore from riding, to which Julius Christian re-
sponded sI1l be sorer than dat tomorrow by dis
time" and he laughed heartily at the horrible sally
From early in the morning crowds were thronging
into the village on horseback, foot and in every
ceivabe sort of vehicle. The town by ten o'clock
was filed with people Of all classes, colors
and. conditions. and the rumsellers did an
excellent business. Negroes as well
whites wore their best, and all of them impressed
the observer with the idea that they intent
enjoying the day and making the most Of the occa-
sion. Not soul seemed to regard the coming
tragedy in the light of terrible example Of
geance meted out by the laws of both God and man
for murder.
A
In keeping with the merrment, which seemed
general. an enterprising manager had good sized
gave y combination exhibition OF burnt cork
opera, punch and judy show, an educated
enaeerie of other small animals This was literally
patronized during the entireday. The performances
commenced at nine A. NJ. SO that the many coiored
the one hand and horrible tragedy on tho other.
The scaffold was erected on the brow of hin. with
thin growth IF pine trees to the east OF the town
and about one thousand yards outside its limits. 1t
was decent in appearance but not perfect in con-
struction. The fall allowed was only little over
four feet and it seemed rs II it was intended to
strangc its victims. Their feet would necessarily
come into proximity with the earth.
OF THE CONDEMNED.
little before eleven O'Clock A. M. the wagon with
the criminals and its escort OF mounted men, which
had been augmented p to about ons hand,ed entered
mills, oyster carts. booths, lunch stands and COM
bination show were promptly deserted for the moro
quickly a. possible they taken from tho
wagon and conducted into the Court House, around
the door OF which the mob strugglins to effect
torney Lacy and Judge Christian. the HEIlALD
respondent gained admittancc and found the crimi-
nails answering the hundred question prppOundcd to
them about the murder No time was lost however,
and they shrouded In two long sable robes
with frled and escaloped collars after the Eliza
bethan style.
They had written letters of farewell. one to his
poor mother and the other to- his sister, and they
exoneratcd far as 1t MAS in their power
old ANDREW Whitney from any completely
in the murder Once more they were
Quoted to and seated in the wagon this time
two black collins. aud again the procession formed
and took its final march to the gallows: Following
the wagon the Judge, Commonwealth Attorney
and other officials and privileged persons. AT this
time tho morbidly curious crowd hockcd fran
in the vicinity OF which largo numbers found
eligible positions in the tree tops. Observing this
Patrick Smith exclaimed ~ they ~, neared the scene.
trees" There WAS nothing solemn or impressive in
the proceedings
Arrived at the scaffod the condemned men
asccnded the steps leading to the drop with firm
and steady tread They then made addresses. in
their peace with their Maker. Christian.
who was on the right. seemed to become
nents previously made BY them about the
murder substantially as given below. Pat Smith
giving in detail the part taken by both of them. and
during which parties in thescrowd uttered inlpreca
tions on them. When they were concluded tho
minutes to twelve O'Clock A. NJ they were piniorcd
and the black Gaps drawn over their faces.
At twelve st stigma, aa tho Inc prop pIcns the
Tho rope that held Christian slipped and his feet
nearly touched tho Garth. Tho nooses being loosely
adjusted tho knots swung around to the backs OF
their nccks.
Smiths fall was little over three feet. He barely
Sus TO Sep
broken. Christian died of strangulaton. After re-
naming suspended for twenty minutes life was
pronounced extinct and the bodies were cut down.
They placed in the collins and buried in hole
for the purpose in front and to the left Of the
scaifold. The crowd then hurried back to resume
tho amusements in the village.
HISTORY CRIME.
Soon after daylight on the morning of Saturday,
January IL last. the body Of John c. Lacy, OF this
county. was found on the road leading from Cedar
Grove to Longbridges. and within one and q half
miles from Richmond on the forge road. and Lacy
residence two milos below Cedar Grove lie had
driven to the city the day previous In mulo cart W
and robbed on his return home. When discovered
the body presented ghastly appearance and the
surroundings indicated that terrible struggle had
taken place. The head was Irly severed from the
trunk; large portion OF the throat seemed TO have
been actually torn out Several gashes and cuts were
found on tho skull and about the arms and breast.
The features were distorted. cctcd Yith blood. and
mutilatcd, aud the chest. arms and hands were
cred with gore. Tho bushes in the vicinity be-
spattercd with blood. The mule had either war;
dcrcd home with the cart or bocu driven there by
the murcrers for they were found in tho enclosure
of Lacy's premises the animal being unhtched
VIEWING BODY.
Though the country thcrvabouts is but thnly in
habited. a large crowd had assembled by noon near
the sccno OF the tragedy. The grcitest excitoment
prevailed and this was greatly aggravated by tho
pitcous waiting OF Lacys grief wife and SIX
children, aud threats of lynchins the inurlercrs
when discovered were uttered. An inquest was
opened, but at hrst no clue to the perpetrators
found On the next day, however by some unaccouut Z
able agency suspicion foil upon an old negro Of bad
character named Andrew Whiting. and this Gnay
led TO the arrest VI the actual murlcrers Writings
premises searched and several articles Of blood
stained clothing were found hidden under q bcd
which wcrc.afterward identified as belonging TO two
young negroes named Pat Smith and Julius Chris
tan. Living with old Whiting ClniboA smith,
younger brother OF Pat smith. who. soon ~ the
clothing found surrendered himself aud made
confession which lcd TO the arrest Of the others
named. Including the old man Whiting. Smith aud
Christian arrested by four brothers named
Wallace, who. armed with shotguns. surprised thcm
at the residence Of Christians brothcrin-aw,
Tarlcysyille. and delivered them the au
thorities. In their possession found the hat of
Mr. Lacy, - in money, quantity OF groceries, some
calico and Matches all of which they had taken from