The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-04-21
The Gallows in Barnwell.
BATES, THE MURDERER, PAYS THE
PENALTY OF HIS CRIME.
His Neck Broken, and he Dies With
out a Struggle-PrOtests his limo
cence-ReligiOus Consolation.
lNeWS ana ODnnier.l

NH'S~o S'S N'"'
BLACKWELL. S. G., April lG.-Wm, s Bates
paid the extreme penalty of the law at Barn
we'll Courthouse to-day. at hnlf-past | O'Clock,
for the murder OF stephen W. Busli.at IA res
idencc OF Mr.. ID. {. Burckhnlter, near Joyce
Branch, on Christmas Eve last.
1t was reported that an attempt to rescue
weuld De made and liatcS appeared to nntiri-
pate something Of the kind. butif coptempll-
ted the foresight of the sheriff prevented IL
4 company OF militia WIS on guard all ycstcr.
day and last night. The execution was pri-
vatc, according to law, and no disturbance oc.
Cured. Bates said to the li,>t that the KILLING
Of Bash was not intentional on his part, ana
claimed that his case was prCjudiccd by the
prosecuting attorneys. He expressed 4 hope
10 his spiritual advisers that he had made
peace with God. 4 Catholic clergyman rom
Charleston us well RS ministers OF other de-
nominations were with him for some days.
Bates assembled the gallOws erected witEln
the Jail ut thirty minutes after ! i. NJ. ana
the trap fell at eighteen minutes before :
o'clock. The body was taken down ut ten
minutes aftcr2 His neck was broken and
death was instantaneous. NoStrugglcor mus
culnr contraction, was perccptihlc except Il
slight motion OF the third and little fingers On
one hand. There was no distortion Oh INC
countonancc and tho: eyes and mouth were
closed. lie was allowed the freedom OF the
Jail from 10 to | O'Clock, when he summons
cd to the gallOwS, He assembled Il dozen steps
and stood on the platform without agitation.
His manner WAS extremely quiet, and he
made no CONCESSIONS.
The History Of the Crime and Trial.
4 short resume of the facts attending this
homicide may not be out OF place in this con-
nection. Bates was present at a dancing par
ty ut tho house of ID. e. Burckhalter, near
Joyce Branch. on Christmas eve last. 1t ap-
pearcd from the testimony that he was some
what under the influence OF liquor. ana man
Tested n homicidal tendency. particularly TO-
wards tho deceased. Bush After most of the
ladies had left the party. or preparing to leave
Bates entered tho room flouriShing his pistol.
v0wing vengeance against the one whom he
alleged had broker up the party. wheeled
round with his pistol, presented it at Bush
who was standing In the piazza leaning
through the window, and shot nm dead.
Bush was n quiet and unofiendilig Young
man, and had given no cause for prOvocatlOn
to Bates, but on the contrary had done every
thing in his power to avoid coming in con-
tact with him. His fate was deeply regretted
by the community in which he lived. and a
deep sense OF indignation has been all along
manifested by the public towards his murder
From what can be learned Of his antcce-
dents he was born at Blackrille, but at an
until his mother finally settled in Graniteviile
where he received his education. He enter
cd the factory there and passed through va
riouS grades OF employment until he became
q head operative. During this period, how
ever. his employment was interrupted by en-
petitions to Tennessee and 1nhinna. lie also
kepta barroom in Granitcvillc for = short
time. Owing TO a difficulty with one Il. Il.
Nav. whom he shot while on drunken spree
in Granitevillc, he left that neighborhood and
found employment in w. A. Eolman'S store
near Joyce Branch, where he was clcrking at
the time Of the homicide. AT Is years OF age
he married a young woman in Granltcvii!c,
from whom he separated after one months
married experience. The fruit of this mar
riuge Is one child Bates was II quiet enough
man when sober, but was considered danger
Gus and violent when drinking.
Bates Is one Of the few white men who have
been hanged il this State since the war. lie
was tried ut Barnwell before Judge -Aldrich,
on the 18th OF February last. He was defend
cd by Robt. Aldrich, Esq, the State being
represented by Solicitor CAN'T. ;s>isted by u.
S. Henderson, ESQ. He was found guilty and
10 be hanged oa the 18th March
last, but upon that day he was respitcd until
yesterday. Bates was q medium sized man
with dark complexion, black hair, moustachc
and goatec. and upon the whole was gentle,
manly In appearance. He generally dressed
neatly, with rather u supcrabundant display
of jewelry about his perton.