The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-29

FIVE YEARS oLD--sr0RY or THE CRIME, &C.
Correspondents Of the Richmond Dispsteh.I
HANOVER COURTHOUSE. May %, 1880.
Charles Boiling (colored) was hanged here
to-day for rape committed last month on
small white girl, daughter Of Newton
Ga'hright. residing In the lowe end Of the
county. Under the recently.enacted law
dispensing with public hsngings 10 vir-
ginia, this execution took place within the
Jail building, two.story stone structure
near the courthouse. There being no
room In the narrow 'passnye-way OF The
Jail for the erection Of scafiold, the rope
was made fast to an iron ring securely at
tached TO one OF the rafters OF the ceiling OF
the upper moor Immediately over the mar
row opening, the steps being removed to
one side so ~ TO permit clear fall TO the
lower floor. The temporary trap occupied
about half OF the opening.
THH PRISONERS GRILL.
The prisoner. who was confined In cell
not more than ten feet from the place where
he was to hang, heard all the preparations
that were being made for his execution,
but maintained apparent indifference. which
would indicate that he did not realize his
awful situation. In fact, many persons who
saw snd talked with him think that he was
mentally deficient, and for that reason con-
siderable sympathy was aroused in his be-
half.
BoLLING's FEINDIsH CRIME.
Boiling was black boy abont seventeen
years OF age, and NJ the time he committed the
crime for which he was to-day hanged was in
the employ OF Newton Gatbright, respecta-
bic farmer OF Hanover county, by whom he
had always been regarded as good, we'll
IN 10 nj of Isf ~
April last the boy Boiling was at work
some little distance from the house, when
Mr.. Gatbright, having occasion to use hoe
which Boiling had, sent his little daughter,
five and half years old, after it. The lit
tie one was gone some time, and when she
returned was crying bitterly. Her father
endeayored to ascertain the cause OF her
distress, but II was some time before she
could be persuaded TO tell, saying
that Charles had threatened II she
told abe would kill her and burn her
up" Finally, after being treasured by her
father, she told him in most intelligent
manner the pitiiul story Of the injury that
Boiling had inflicted upon her. To verify
the child's story, her parents made IN ex-
summation of her person ard found she had
been cruelty and bi utally outraged. Fear
ing that the young fend might escape be-
fore he could be secured, Mr.. Gathright
said nothing to him about the matter when
he returned from work, but permitted him
10 attend TO his duties about the house as
usual, keeping, however, a close watch
upon his movements. Boiling appeared
considerably agitated during the evening,
and when asked 10y some one what trou-
bled him said he did not feel right
that the witches had been riding him."
Ill, I'LL ,x,,ft al hot
his crime had been divulged, retired
for The night. Mr.. Gathrights time for sc.
curing his man had come. He went into
Boling's room, and after some resistance
on the lstter's part succeeded in tying him.
Mr.. Gathright then questioned him in re-
gard to the outrage upon his child, and the
negro made full confession OF his guilt.
Next morning Mr.. Gatbright took bis pri-
soner to the county jail and had him com.
united. In few days Boiling was tried in
the County Court and convicted, the jury
fixing his punishment at death. The jury
and counsel on both sides subsequently
Joined in petitioning the Governor for
Communication OF the death sentence to i'm
prisonment for life, but the Governor de-
cIned TO interfere.
BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
During the early hours OF to-day the
doomed wretch remained seated, or rather
squatted, upon bundle Of clothing In one
corner OF his cell, with his elbows on bis
knees and his chin resting in bis hands. His
dirty, sQualid appearance plainyishowed
that, since his confinement at least, he had
not had a change OF raiment or enjoyed the
benefit Of an occasional ablution. he had
but little to say, and when spoken to an
swered in monosyllables. He had slept but
little last night. He did not want to die:
and was not prepared for his inevitable
doom. When asked about his parents he
gave no answer, but lowered his head on
his arms and wept.
SPIRITUAL ADVISERS ON THE TRAP.
One white and two colored ministers
were with him for two hours before the eX-
ecution, but all their prayers and exhorta-
tions failed to excite any religious fervor.
Even while on the trap and about being
launched into eternity his responses were
very tame. He was asked il he thought his
soul would be saved, and he replied that he
didn't know whether it would or not. he
! was urged TO make some statement in re-
gard to his guilt or innocence, but to the
| last he declined 10 do so.
THE END.
At 1:3OP. NJ, all preparations being COM
| plete, the trap was sprung. giving the boy a
fall OF about seven feet. His struggles were
brief. and in ten minutes the physicians in
attendance, Drs. Benson and Gregory, pro-
nounced life entirely extinct. An examlna-
ton showed that the neck was broken. De-
puty.Sheriff Eugene Brown, who successful
" carried out all the details OF the execution,
had the body taken down, placed in de-
cent coffin, and buried about three hundred
yards from the courthouse.
In anticipation OF large gathering OF
people the county Judge caused guard OF
| ffty men to be detailed. and they were
present, armed with double-barrelled shot
guns; but when the time came for the exc
cution the guard equalled IL it did not out
4 a <