The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-17
The Death Penalty.

The Death Penalty.
EXECUTION OF CHAsTAIN cox.
NEW YORK. july 16.-Chastain Cox was
hanged at S:37 o'clock this morning. He
died In sixteen minutes.
DETAILS OF THE EXECUTION.
NEW YORK, July 16.-Cox passed quiet
night, retiring between IL and IL O'Clock.
aud falling into deep slumber before
O'Clock. His counsel and friends were I'M
RENTING yesterday in their efforts to pro-
cure stay of proceedings, waiting upon
Governor Cornell, who is In the city, and
continuing their labors until a late hour.
At 1867 a message was received at the
Toombs, being the fatal words: "The
| Governor refuses to interfere" At a few
minutes past O'Clock Cox awakened and
quietly rose from his bed. He did not
exhibit In the slightest degree fear OF
any kind. lie spoke to no one, but
was absorbed and probably engaged
| in mental prayer. He seemed 10 be
under no religious excitement, and was
outwardly calm. self-possessed, and even
cheerful. Az 5:30 he called Deputy Aarons,
and requested him TO notify Rev. Mr.. Cook
that he was ready to receive him, and Mr..
Cook went into the cell. He met him at the
door and shook hands with him cordially.
After religious exercises Cox ate hearty
breakfast, aud then more prayers were said
until the arrival OF the sheriff and his
deputies. About s O'Clock Cox was taken
from his cell to the gallows. The way was
up corridor 10 the entrance OF the court
yard, directly under the Bridge Of Signs.
Sheriff BOwe and Under-Sherif Stevens
came first. Then followed Cox, with
Rev. Drs. Russell, Stewart, Cook, Law,
and Hector. The black cap was on
the head OF the condemned man, and
the fatal moose dangled from his neck.
His arms were pinioned at the elbows.
He walked with firm step and composed
demeanOr. AS the procession neared the
gallows he looked at ii with seeming COOL
ness, then his eyes dropped and his lips
moved in prayer as he took his station be-
meath the cross-piece. The moose was then
hooked into the pendant rope and the black
cap drawn over bis face. One OF the minis
tiers talked to the condemned in low tone,
and continued until motioned 10 retire.
Heretofore a platform or floor for the cul-
prit TO stand upon has always been laid.
This time the doomed man stood upon the
Belgian pavement, with which the yard
| is laid. There was only an in
I slant OF suspense, when the executioner,
hidden behind board screen at the end OF
the gallows, was signslled by the sheriff,
and cut with an axe the cord hol ling the
heavy weight. The condemned rose four
| feet simultaneously with the sound OF the
axe, and then with q rebound he fell back.
| Then ensued contortions Of the body and
contractions Of the muscles usual in cases
OF death by strangulation. A minute later
and this ceased, and shortly after all was
still. A coroner's jury had been sworn In,
and after brief inquest the body was re-
moved by the undertaken. The funeral will
take place on Sunday from colored church
on Fifteenth street.
Cox's CRIME, CAPTURE, AND CONVICTION.
The crime for which Chas ain Cox was
executed was one so atrocious in its charac-
ter that it should be a matter OF surprise
that more than thirteen months has been al
lowed to intervene between the commission
of the deed and the punishment Of the MUIR
derer. The victim was Mrs. Jane l.. De
Forest Hull, who was found on the morning
of June IL, 1879, dead in her bed, with her
limbs tied to she bed-pOst, and many articles
of jewelry stolen. Occurring as 1t did to a
lady moving in good society in New York
CITY, The murder caused intense excitement.
and the police were very active in endea-
yoring to trace the murderer, but some
, wiseacre among the officials started the the
ory that suspicion attached to the husband
Of the unfortunate lady, and while they
: were on this wildgoose chase the actual as
sassin was struttng about in the city with
some Of the plumber upon his person.
Finally the New York police did find a
, clue. Upon the person OF colord girl was
found a valuable topaz necklace which the
Inflated lady had worn in the presence Of
! royalty during visit to England. The girl
confessed that it had been a gift 10 her from
Chsstain Cox, and her description OF the
giver was published. He. however, had
disappeared from the city, and the re-
searches of the police were in vain.
! At this juncture Mr.. r. G. Balcb, re-
porter Of the Boston Herald, while walking
in the streets OF that city was struck by the
resemblance OF negro In advance OF him
TO the description given OF the murderer.
He followed the man into a colOred church.
A brief absence from the church enabled
him to get the assistance OF a policeman, and
the murderer was soon in the grip OF the
law. Cox was taken to New York and soon
pl,ced upon trial. The evidence that had
accumulated against him was so convincing
that the Jury found him guilty OF murder In
| the first degree. On the 18th OF July he was
sentenced by Judge Cowing to hang August
2ob. Motions for new trial delayed the
execution, but on the 9th OF April, 1880, the
| Court OF ADDcdis dlutIutu TUG juuEhcut VI
the court below. On the 18th of April be
was sentenced 10 be hung on the 18th OF
Msy, but the Governor respited him 10
, July 10th.
/ COx's CONFESSION.
Cox, shortly after his capture, made a
confession, and gave history OF his life.
He said he was about thirty-two years old,
and was born in Pow hatan county, Va. His
father, Madison Cox, was slave, and his
: mother, who had Indian blood in her, was
: also slave, both being owned by planter
: named Jack White. Chastan was one OF
, eleven brothers, six OF whom are living.
At one time be was a waiter in the Spots
wood Hotel, Richmond.
, In 1874 he went to New York, and was
employed in a house directly opposite to
Mrs. Hulps residence, and she gave him
} Jobs OF work, cleaning the sidewalk and
carrying coal to an upper chamber. 1t was
while lie was thus at work that he con-
eeived the idea Of robbing Mre. Hull. lie
! has persistently declared that he had no
] motive but robbery, and that he did not
, suspect the lady was dead when he left her.
When he was In Mrs. Hul's chamber she
awoke, and, recognizing the peril she was
in, exclaimed, "Whateyer you do, don't
kill mel" BE then placed bis left
4 hand over Iser mouth, she struggling all
the time to release herself. He kept
bis hand over ,ter mouth until sue became
quiet, and. tying her limbs, he lit candle
| and gathered bis plumber. Finding that
H.. u,,u ,yas hro., HING hard. ha DOufeu