Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-05-05
A Visit to Hartwell, Ga.-A Negro
Hanging Crops, &c.

AAuASI Ing OIOpSs SC,
TUoALoo HOME, April 25, 1881.
MEssRs. EDlToRs: Having somo business at
IIartwcll made ii convenient to attend to it on
Friday, the day of tho changing" and propose
'pen picture" of what saw and heard on that
day, il you deem them worthy of publication.
l set out early OH Friday morning, the prospect
for enjoyment being gloomy in consequence Of
lowering clouds and fog; but as tho day ad-
vnnced tho sun broke out and tho day was
lovely and summer.liko. We had not travelled
far before we were convinced that We were not
the only one going 10 IIartwcll on that occasion.
The road was literally crowded with all kinds of
vehicles, horseback and pedestrians, without
regard 10 sex. color or previous condition, all
hurrying pellmcll, 'going to tho hanging"
When we reached Ilartwel the public square
presented moro the appearance of q division
review than collection Of civilians. The
crowd increased from every road leading to
llartwcll until near 12 O'Clock, Mt which time
the excursion trnin arrived, which ended tho
influx of the already immense throng of people.
Between 2 and o'clock the condemned cnlprit
was brought from his cell by the Sheriff, amid
the screams and wnilngs of the prisoners
children and friends and placed in wagon
containing his coffin and driven to the gallows,
under the escort of strong guard. Amid the
pathetic screams some one chimcd in, who Ind
embibed pretty freely of oftanglc-lcg, Dem golden
slippers I'm bout to wcar!' The prisoner
ascended the steps Of the gallows in charge Of
the Sheriff and his deputy, accompanied by
Revs. Thornton and Farris and DR.. Ebcrhart
The prisoner was almost spccchlcss with emo
ton when given the opportunity to speak. The
prisoner, after several efforts to speak recovered
his self possession and bcckoned TO The crowd
and there pcrvaded n brcuthcss silence through
out the vast concourse of people. l was not
prepared TO take notes, but writo from memory
and cannot remember all that was said; but he
made some wcll-timcl remarks notwithstanding
they came from the uncullurcd lips of sable
African. lie addressed his children first and
told them never TO carry deck Of cards with n
little flask Of whiskey in the side pocket for
they have placed This rope around my neck.
lie was notorious gambler and was said TO be
an expert. lie played and lost until he was
forced to plfcr and was lodged in prison and to
make his escape killed his "best friend" lie
acknowledged to the deed and seemed to be
truly pcntcnt and expressed himself prepared
to meet his God in peace. There was nothing
in his dcmcanor or language that was sarcastic
or antagonistic, and although the murder was
prcmeditncd, cod-bloodcd and wilful. yet to
witness The last imposing scenes of tho fcon
with tho moose around his n, ok, imploring for
givcness, no doubt had tendency TO apprasc, if
il were possible. the nnimosity aroused in the
hearts of tho people by the heinous and foul
deed! Many stout heart was melted to tears
rs the Rev. Mr.. Thornton read and sang,
''Alas! and did my Saviour bleed" &C.,
followed in prayer by Rev. Mr.. Farris. When
the hymn was read The prisoner request cd
everybody TO sing. After taking an atlceionatc
leave of his family he bid the white pcopio
farewell, his hands were tied behind him, his
legs tied together, the cap that shut out the
light forever was pulled over his fncc, chord
was fastened to the trigger and pulled from
under the platform with thcoc words from the
exccuioncr, Farewell Henry" aud Henry
Hill alias Henry Turner At half-pnst | o'clock
suffered tho extreme penalty of the law. This
is but another sad commentary on tho nsc of
strong drink Although it was not tho exciting
cause, but it was no doubt tho predisposing or
indirect cause that led to the foul decd After
hanging thirty minutes the dead body was
taken down and placed in the coffin and de-
liyercd to his friends. The crowd was largo
and orderly. An cx-Sheriff who had adjusted
tho moose on similar occasions supposed there
wero 5000 persons present, but think thcrc
were not moro than 5000.
lIartwcll has built up and improved grca
deal since the construction of the railroad to
that place Real estate has increased from so
to 200 per cent. Railroads work wonders in
the way of Improvement in "moro ways than
ono."
saw many orchards full of peaches on my
way to Ilartwcl.
For tho lust week wo have had the most do.
lghtful summer.likc weather, with gentle
bnlmy brcezes, with much "lightning's flash
and thunder roll"
"With April showers
To bloom out the howcrs;"
With full choir Of sweet WARRIORS of migration
to thrill tho heart Of all lovers Of nature, MI of
which make picture so transporting, as if by
magic, from tho howlings of clustering, frccz
ing ICY winter into tho lap of sweet balmy
spring! All vegetation has put on its vcrlant
garb as rapidly during The last ten days as I
have over known it to do. Wheat is growing
very fast and is in my judgment very promising
Oats are heading and will do for fecd by tho 10th