The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-20
Concluding Act in a Tennes-
/, see Tragedy.
The Curtain Falls Forever
OH Smith and Hall.
Execution To-day Of the Murder
ers Of Major Pugh.
Apecial to the Star.

Apecial to the Star -
MuRFREEsBoRo, Feb. 20.-Every prepara-
zion has been made for the execution at
this place to-day of John Hall and Burrell
Bmith both colored, for the murder of
Major Henry s. Pugh, prominent citizen
Of this county.
No such crowd was ever seen in this vi
cinity as is to-day gathered to witness the
hanging of Smith and Hall. They began
to pour in with dawn Of day and came on
foot. in the trains, and by means of every
conceivable vehicle Of transit. s..
The gallows has been erec ed on the land
Of ]. M. Kerr. near the crossing of the
Nashville and Franklin Roads. Large
high tiers of seats have been bailt, extend
ing hundreds Of feet, and the preparations
look more like for fair than funeral.
Pr visions have been provided for feed
ing the multitude, and much money will
be made out of the affair. The Sheriff
allowed them to select the hour. and they
agreed up, N half past o'clock as the time.
THE EXECUTION.
MURFREEsBoRo, Feb 20.-The execution
Of Hall and Smith took place at 80 in
the presence of very large throng, COM
posed of people residing in Rutherford,
and varions other counties within range
of two hundred miles.
The scaffold was three hundred yards
north of tine Courthouse, near Lytles Creek
tributary of Stones River. 1t had fall of
five feet and was bounded on the south by
reserved seats, which were sold for one
dollar each. and on the southeast by a
barbecue, all under the management of ].
N. Kerr, lessee Of the ground. lF
The streets in front of the Jail were
crowded all the morning with people eager
to catch glimpse of the doomed men as
they were led out to die. At 10 o'clock
large number of guards assembled at the
Courthouse and received instructions as
10 duty, and at 1880 marched to the Jail,
and remained till the procession started for
the gallows. f. r.v
This morning Hall and Smith said they
wished to shave themselves. but Sheriff
Arnold refused to allow them the razors,
fearing they might take their own lives. A
barber sent for did the work. t"s
HISTORY OF THE MEN.
Hall was born near Jonesboro, Washing
tols County, East Tennessee, in 1913. In
1868 he was arrested here on the charge of
stealing cotton, was tried, convicted and
sentenced to imprisonment in the peniten-
tiary at Nashville for five years. ''suis
After serving four years in that institu-
ton he was discharged on account of good
behavior. In 1878 lie made the acquaint-
ance OF Smith. and the two formed a
partnership in agricultural pursuits. Sub
sequently they decided to engage in rob-
berry and incendiarism. and commencing
operations continued their wrong-doing
untilit eliminated in the murder of Major
Pugh. His wife and two children survive
him. @t ENt staE T&
Smith was born in 1928, and was reared
by General w. II. Smith, In Rutherford
County, where he resided during his life
time. He was not married, but lavished
his affections upon mistress, who recently
bore him Child. s~f
In the early part of 1878 the band of
robbers and incendiaries commenced tieir
nefarious work by boring through the rear
door Of the store Of B. M. Rice & Co. on
Depot Hill, following this up with several
other burslaries
MURDER OF MAJOR PUGH. @
On the 10th OF May, 1879, between II
ana IL o'clock at night. Major Pugh and
wife were aroused from sleep by the bark
ing of their watch dog; and the deceased,
after obtaining light and toy pistol,
started out OF his residence to ascertain the
cause of the disturbance.
Upon reaching the outside, he pro-
cesded toward store-huuse located
near his dwelling, and while STOPPING to
pass under some steps he was fired at by
Hall, the bullet missing him. He returned
the shot without effect, whereupon Hall
fred second time. the ball entering Just
below the left nipple. passing diagonaly
through his body, and lodging in the right
Pugh staggered toward the house, and
Hall and Smith fed to their homes. On
the following morning Hall placed the re-
vOlver with which the fatal deed was COM
mitted in a sack, and concealed it in
stable. That night Pigh died, and inquiry
% to his murderers being instituted, sus-
picion pointed 80 strongly to Hall and
Smith that they were arrested.
Great excitement prevailed and when
the prisoners confessed the murder and
other crimes the rage OF the people knew
no bounds and threats Of lynching were
freely INDUCED in. e
TRIAL AND CONVICTION. -s
On the 9th of May Hall and Smith un-
derwent preliminary examination. Both
pleaded Not Guilty" and were recon-
mitted to Jail TO await trial at special
term of the Criminal Court.
Frank Bailey, Hick Slaughter, Nicholas
(whitel Henry McNairy, Edward McAdoo,
Henry McFarren, Simon Lytle Joseph
n IL