Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-05
THE DOOM OF A VILLAIN.
PINK PRATT HANGED AT MARI.
ETA.
Eight Thousand Persons Present
HE COnfesses on the GailOVys, and
Warns the Crowd 30 Heed His Fate
History OF the Fearful Crime He
ExpIated.

History of slle Fearful Crime He
ExpiaGed.
MARIETTA, GA, March 4.-The execution
OF the negro, Pink Pratt, took place to day
at College Hill, about three quarters of a
mile from this town, and was witnessed BY
an assemblage of over eight thousand per-
sons. There was no demonstration, and
excellent order was preserved.
AT IL O'Clock he left the jail, surrounded
by guard of thirty men, for the scaffold,
and while en- route smoked a cigar and
talked pleasantly to those having him In
charge. When the gallows was reached he
sprang from the wagon and nimbly climbed
the steps.
After prayer by a colored minister, Pratt
addressed the assemblage, confessing his
crime and expressing willingness to die, and
warning his hearers to heed his fate.
Two hymns were sung, and the Fifty-flrst
Psalm was read and prayer offered by Rev.
John Sangers. Two colored preachers were
present and assisted in the ceremonies.
AT thirty-seven minutes past twelve
O'Clock the rope was adjusted and the
doomed man bade farewell to the crowd.
Inc trap was sprung and the body swung
out into the air, dropping with heavy
thud, which broke the neck and produced
almost instant death, as there was not
struggle after he fell.
AT the expiration of thirty minutes his
0ody was cut down and given to his friends.
Ills father, brothers and sisters witnessed
the execution.
Thus has been expiated one of the foulest
ana most diabolical crimes that has disgraced
this county.
AN INNOCENT TRAPPED By A BRUTE.
The particulars of this heinous crime NAV
De briefly stated: Seven miles from MARI
etta, IN Coob county, resides q very re.
spectacle and worthy farmer by the name
OF watkins, who was blessed with lovely
daughter or eleven years of age, and two
promising little boys One mile from his
residence Is school, which his children at
tehded, and were regarded as among the
pest pupils. On the morning OF the oath of
September last, little Margaret Watkins
started to school, as was her custom, but on
TINS fatal morn she was alone, her young
Drotners having been detained at home to
attend to some duties about the place. AT
eight O'Clock she left her fathers house,
and with her lunch basket in one hand and
ner school books in the other, trlpped mer-
r1ly away TO the school house little dream
ing OF the frightful fate which awaited her.
As she entered portion of the road
girted on one side with thickly studded
trees, sne encountered well known young
negro named Pink Pratt, whom she had
frequently seen working on her fathers
farm for the past two years. AS she ap-
proaened nearer she discovered that the
negro was trying to
CONCEAL HIMSELF
IN corner of the fence on one side of the
road. Not apprehending any danger. how
ever the innocent child walked on. when
suddenly the villain stepped in fronc of her,
oDstrucGing her progress, and inquired, care
your brothers going to school this morn
ing :" In her artless simplicity she replied
mo, they are going to pick cotton today"
He then made
AN INSULTING PROPOSAL
to her,which greatly terrified the child, who
Degan TO cry bitterly, when the wretch seized |
ner by the throat, and choking her almost |
to the verge of insensibillty,
DRAGGED HER FROM THE ROAD
into the bushes and lrutaify rayisbeti her
person. The child was terribly choked. apd |
when she began to show signs of conscious- |
ness, The hendish brute pulled out his knife, |
forced her back to the ground, and pressing |
Ills knees on her breast, told her he was
GOING TO CUT HER THROAT.
She begged him not to kill her, when with |
an oatn ne said, yes he would kill her; that |
IL ne ala not she would tell her father. The |
aHngnteu little innocent, in her terror, |
promised that IL he would release her she
would not reveal his crime. With threat
tnat II she did tell he would certainly |
Kill her, the wretch left his bruised and |
lacerated victim to drag herself to her home
On reaching her fathers house
HER SWOLLEN NECK AND FACE
at once attracted the attention of her oh
servant mother, who saw that her vounp
daughter had met with some misfortnne'
and questioned her so closely that llttle
Margaret finally told the horrible story of
her wrongs. Mrs. Watkins at once inform
ga her husband, who had warrant sworn
out Immediately for the arrest of Pink
Pratt, and Constable w. w. White. with
another young man, started in
SEARCH OF THE VILLAIN,
They met him on the road with another
negro. without making known the nature
or cause of the warrant, the c0natable In.
formed Pratt that he had warrant for his
arrest. The negro became very defiant. and
when the ofIlcer attempted to take him into
CUSTODY resisted savagely, ueing stout stick
Ia MS defense. He was finally overcome
when the officer drew his pistol and threat
ene0 70 snoot him, and submitted very qui-
stiy' ne Inen said he was willing to 90
with the officer to Mr.. Watkins or anywhere.
NO mention was made up to this time of the
name OF Watkins, and Pratt's offer to 90 to
slr Watkins house showed that he thoupht
The arrest was for the offense he had inst |
committed. Officer White then
TIED THE NEGRO,
and hurrtedly brought him to Marietta iail.
where ne was closely confined. The NEXT |
lay when faced by his little victim he show-
ed terror, and waived preliminary trial.
de was returned to jail, and extra prccau
lion was taken to prevent his escape. Dur
ing the night there was
STRONG TALK OF LYNCHIEG
the brute, and a few nights afterwards a
body OF men armed started for the isil with |
She Intention OF securing Pratt and hanging
him without delay. 1t was stated, however,
snat ar. W. +. stephens. the jailer, would
protect the prisoner to the best Of his ability
and more prudent counsels prevailing. the
ynching was abandoned.
TEE TRIAL.
At the February term of Cobb Superior
Court the negro was placed on trial for his
life. The testimony was strong against
him, and little. Margaret identified him post
lively as her assailant, the statement of the
physicians substantiating the terrible story
If the outrage upon the child. The negro
lad the benefit Of good counsel, and stre1u-
Jus efforts were made In his behalf. The
evidence was, however, too complete. and
after charge from the Judge the iurv re-
.ired, and in fifteen minutes had agreed and
returned
VERDICT OF GUILTY.
His lawyer moved for q new trial. and
made strong argument on his motion, but
after patient hearing the Judge overruled
{, and sentenced the prisoner to be hung
IN the 4th OF March.
THE EXECUTED MAN
vas of lustful, british instinct. having pre-
1lous to this crime outrageda young colored
girl, and chased white girl nearly to her
home, and only abandoned his lustful pur-
pose from fear Of being detected. His
'ather was so positive that the william
would escape the just punishment of his |
stest crime, that he was heard to remark:
my PINK WON'T BE HUNG FOR NO WHITE
TRASH"
But it seems that his impudent prediction |
vas not verified, and in this INSTANCE
it least the majesty of the law was yindi-
lated, and to- day Pink Pratt has expiated
upon the gallows one of the most heinous
crimes that has ever shocked this com.
nunity.