New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-17
COX PAYS THE DEATH PENALTY.

4
COX PAYS THE DEATH PENALTY.
Cox sat talking with the Rev. Sidney G. Law on
Thursday night until nearly IL o'clock. md then
retired to his cell, No. 6, in the condemned row
where be undrcssed and went to bed calmly and
| with no agitation.
For the first hour he was restless bat after
ward be fell into a deep sleep and snored. The
Rev. Mr. Law, the prison chaplain, slept in cell No.
A. and the Rev. Mr.. Cook in cell No. g. neither
leaving the PRISON during the night that should
| Cox ask FOR them they could be with HIM at a
moments notice. keeper and the two deputy
sberfs, Mason and DAILY, sat IN the passage-way,
only q few feet from the door of the CELL
About o'clock Cox awoke and Immediately left
his bed. He washed aud dressed himself as slowly
and deliberately as if he expected TO spend an
ordinary day. and if nothing unusual was to
occur. When lie was ready he asked for the two
ministers, who were already up They at once went
TO him. and spent nearly two hours in singing and
praying. The Rev. Father DuraDquet entered
the prison at this time. but seeing that Cox was
deeply interested in what the Methodist cergymen
were saying, he went away without going into the
cell. William +. Howe then entered the Tombs
and had a short talk with Cox. Mr.. Howe said he
believed that if the Governor thought Cox was not
spiritually prepared to die he would have given
him at least brief respite, but he knew that
Governor Cornell had been assured that Cox had
made his peace with his Maker and did not fear
death, and so he did not interfere.
While Cox talking with the two ministers
his coffin, made of rosewood with ebony TRIM
mlDgs and heavily plated silver bars, was carried
in through the Office and placed in the womens
prison so that be might not it. At the time
;hc two hangmen were busy in the prison yard, run
ming the ropes the wheels of the
galOws and testing it in every way to
be that 1t would work easily. From
the open windows of Cox's cell foated out on
the air the sound of the familiar hymn beginning
There is fountain filled with blood" sung by
the ministers and by Cox. who joined in heartily
At about half-past fifty policemen, with their
clubs drawn, under the command of Inspector Mur-
ray, marched into the courtyard and stood there
until Cox was brought ont. At $40 the Rev. I. Z.
Franklin (cOlOred), pastor Of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church at Melrose, arrived and was inn
passed into Cox's cell. Then came
more prayers and the singing of the hymns begin
nIng Come. We disconsOlatc," and " / am so glad
that Jesus loves me-"
At SO Sheriff Bowe, Under-Sherif Stevens,
Order of Arrest Clerk Davidson, Drs. Smith aud
Caro-, and twenty deputy sheriff5 marched into the
prison and placed themselves IN line along the cor
rilor. Commissioner Hess and Police Captain
Williams entered. and were invited inside the in
closure by Sheriff Bowe. These officers were all
dressed in black. wore black high hats and gloves
and carried in their hands their slaves Of ofic e.
While the sheriffs were in line in the ball Cox
asked that the prlson-keeDers who had shown him
much kindness might be admitted, that he
might thank them and bid them goodbye
Several of them. headed 10y Keeper O'Brien.
went in to see him, and he gave
them a last shake Of the hand with tears in his
eyes. During these iormaties ali the other pris-
oners were locked in their cells. None was allowed
to look or know what being done. Babo |
remained IN his cell with the inside |
door closed, 50 that no one could see him. When |
his breakfast taken TO him he trembled so vlo-
lenty that be could hardly eat it. lie was COM
petely broken down, and when he had hastily eaten
little he resumed his deyOtOns before his little
altar, ana prayed without ceasBg until after Cox /
" as taken out OF the prison.
At S26 a rough, shabbily dressed man with a |
determined air, with "a lead bald on top and "A |
little fringe o. coarse gray bar around It. coarse |
gfiZzley moustachc and goatee, and wearing an |
od-1ashiOned par of steel-bowed spectacles, was |
admit ed inside the nclOsure. lie was the hang !
mans assistant Accompanied by Under-Sherih |
Stevens he entered Cox's cell, and the ministers
speedily made room for them. Stevens read the /
death warrant 10 Cox, who listened 10 II without |
showing any signs OF emotion. lhe unknown man |
dor his name could not be learned) then stepped |
forward tied the prisoners arms to nis side with
and the black cap upon his head. but Gid |
not draw It down over his face. Cox
was dressed in black trousers, worn walk
ing coat OF dark color and basket pattern, well |
backed boots and no collar. The line hen
formed as follows: Sheriff Bowe and Under Sheriff |
Stevens; Cox. accompanied by two coIored clergy
men, the Rev. Mr.. Franklin and the Rev Mr. Heck
sr; the Rev. Mr. Cook, cOinTed, and the Rev. Mr..
Law, the PRISON chaplain, and twenty deputy sher-
ifs.
They marched along the narrow passageway to
the door leading to the yard, and as he walked Cox
recognized number OF acqu1lniances TO whom he
nodded pleasantly. His face wore q hard, set smile
as If he had nerved himself up and determined To
pass creditaOly through the ordeal. He marched
witn his head UP and with a firm step, as if he mad
no hing to fear. The Sherffs arrangements out
SIDE the prison could hardly have been worse.
Inc yard half full of low politicians,
md before the last depGty-slenii had fairly lett
,he prison door they made great rush for good
positions IN front OF the gallOws. pushing the police
men aside II they were IN the way. fine officers
lfterward formed IN line behind the crowd.
UNDER TIE GALLows
Arriving at the gallows, Cox shook hands as best
le could with the Rev. Mr.. Law and said in q low
,oice, Goodbye we shall meet in heaven" Mr.
Jaw then offered this prayer Cox listening with
bowed bead
o., God, 10 Thee do we t our hearts unto whom
Use 90 We thank Thee that Tnou mast invited
TO come TO Thee nat thou bas made IL possible Tor
ven the West sinner TO through Thee and
as made laitn IN Thee The hure OF our
ives. AND now we commend to Thee the soul OF our
ear brother. We Ihauk lnee t1at Thou hast gwen hm
blessed hope hat lac is aimed in tins solemn hour
Ot by brute cOurHge, moi by StOld sOicsm nor by
stupid anu valngOrious brayadO, but By q humble re-
lance Thine words ana promises, aud
y the presence OF the Holy Spirit We pray
hat Thou wilt be with him ~ the last,
40 thtn take him home To dwell etornally
iIih Thee. andng by this instrument shame ana
cath. while we are reminded OF Thy hatred II ali ,,u
&c arr a'so reminded Of Thy infinite compassion Thou
vast willing 10 hang the accHrsed tree, and bear
ur IN Thy own body, and to lay under sun eeon
hat IL might be made the ugheou, God 81 Him
We pray also for ourselves for who are dis
snt witnesses of TINS scene. May learn The lesson
bat T1ou wOuldst teach Nav all embrace Tby |
fer OF mercy and salvation. MAY all open our |
carts - tie gentle influences OF Thy DIVINE grace nav
r. TO 6et win Thy love- ana wilt Thou at ke us
ITO ny kingdom for al eternity. Amen.
While Mr. Law was praying Cox began TO SWAY !
is body negroes often do when under excite
rent To the spectators the prayer seemed long.
nd Under. Sheriff Stevens nudged Mr.. Law to sion.
a finally tho nraYer en.leh- AL L. clnsn thn Eo..