Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-06-03
Ford's Execution.

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memphis Avalanche, of Saturday the s9thl
Yesterday dawned upon the doomed man
in the Marion Jail with hope all but fed.
Earnest friends had told him of no hope for
another respite, and he must be prepared 10
die. After breakfast, which was served
him at o'clock, he was visited by the Rev.
N. NJ. Smith, of the NJ. u. church, who has
been his spiritual advisor since last Decem-
Der. brief period was spent in prayer,
and preparations began for the final act of
the terrible tragedy.
AN INTERVIEW.
At ii o'clock an Avalanche reporter was
granted an interview with Ford lie APP
peared resigned and said he was prepared
to die. When asked if he had anything TO
say concerning the killing, he replied, "Eoth-
ing but what l have already said-I am
innocent" He spoke in kind terms of Sher-
1f Battle, who was present at the interview.
A BRUTAL BLACK JAILoR.
In closing his remarks, Ford said he wish
ed to speak of Bill Reed, the jailor He has
been roughly used by this brute in human
shape, who, by reason of his brief authori-
ty, had On several occasions cursed him and
furnish him paper and envelopes, although
supplied with money for that purpose.
DELAYING THE EXECUTION.
1t was nearly 3o'clock in the afternoon be-
fo.e the condemned man was brought from
the Jail At the solicitation of friends Sher-
Iff Battle had delayed the closing scenes
until the last possible moment, in hopes
that the truant governor would yet return
in time to forward respite by telegraph.
Ford was accompanied by posse of armed
deputies, and supported by Rev. NJ. NJ.
Smith and w. L. Kennedy. The last man,
ed is well known eolored citizen of Mem
phis, who knew Ford in his boyhood DAYS,
and who had been reared with Ford's ia
ther. He had been most active in his eff
forts to assist in having respite granted,
and for this purpose had travelled through
the country, securing 300 or 400 signatures
Of prominent white citizens asking Gov.Mil-
Ter TO grant reprieve.
on THE scAFFoLD.
Ford on ascending the scaffold took
seat in chair that had heen provided.
The minister read the Goth PISA I'm, at the
conclusion of which he said: "By request
of Mr.. Ford we will sing Oh for social
walk with God,'" in which the prisoner
joined, his clear voice rising higher than
all the others. After a fervent PRAYER
Sheriff Battle read the death warrant, and
remarked to Ford that he could speak if he
wished to say anything.
LAST SPEECH OF THE CONDEMNED.
Ford arose and said:
"My Congregational never thought
would with. IS such scene as this, much
less appear as the principal actor. / was
charged with the crime of killing NJ. Broad
way. was convicted Of the evidence of
John Potter. I am not guilty of the charge.
am prepared to go and meet God. John
Potter and myself were tried together and
both convicted. had chance TO save my
life by turning states evidence, but die in
good cause. am telling the truth"
FINAL PREPARATIONS.
Sheriff Battle then pinioned his arms and
legs. While thus engaged Rev. Mr. Smith
asked Ford, "You still have confidence in
God ?" to which he responded, Eyes,
have" Continuing his remarks he said: II
want you all to meet me on that bright
shore. Gentlemen, didn't know that ohm
Broadway was killed. hang for what
another man has done. was across the
river when he was killed. have suffered
for holding out TO the truth" In reply to
several questions propounded by Mr.. John
Fogleman, an old citizen of that county who
was on the scaffold with Ford, he said: 81
was only slightly acquainted with John
Potter. | was sleeping in Mr.. John Beck
ner's cotton pen the night of the murder.
l have no idea who killed him. My last
request is TO have my body sent home TO
my parents. l have been raised right. !
want the public to know | was not hired to
murder a man for twenty five dollars and
some clothes, as John Potter swOre at the
trial. | am innocent am prepared to 60.
| will meet my Jesus in peace"
FAREWELL TO ALL.
Those On the scaffold then bid the pris-
oner farewell. Ford was most affected
when he took Kennedy by the hand. He
realized that he had been one of his truest
| friends, and asked him to send his remain,
to his mother. The black cap was placed
on his head by the sheriff, who led him tC
the trap, and once more bidding him good
bye cut the cord, and Ford swung OF into
eternity. His death WAS not hard one
The drop, which was AZ feet, evidently
broke his neck. A few spasmodic convul-
sions, and then all was still. At the expi.
ration of 20 minutes life was pronounced
extinct by DIR. A. j. Baker, and the body
was cut down and placed in coffin, which
bad been furnished by friends. His re.
mains will be sent to his parents, who re-
side in Lincoln county, Tennessee.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Ford was renteeL locking. heavy built