The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-04-01
History OF wrighrs Crime, and His
Poetical Farewell to the world.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch. ]


Especial telegram TO the Dispatch.l
CHATHAM, Va, March 31.-Thc execu-
ton Of the negro Dock Wright, for the
murder Of Coleman Arthur, took place here
to-day. An enclosure sixteen feet high
was erected a short distance from the Jail,
and only the officers Of the court, physi-
clan, and representatives Of the press, were
admitted. The prisoner held long inter-
view with his mother during the morning,
and shortly before leaving the Jail was bap-
TIED by Rev. w. II. Matthews, Of the
Presbyterian Church. He declared his in
nocence, and said that Arthur was killed
by HIS the prisoners) balf-brother with an
iron poker. At ten minutes past IL he was
LED TO TIE scAFFoID
by the officers, under the escort Of the
Danville Grays, Captain w. L. Hutchings
commanding. lie displayed the utmost
composure throughout, and just after the
rope was placed around his neck he was
asked by a reporter II he still asserted his
innocence, and he answered Il do" His
face was then covered, and minute later
the trap-door fell. His neck was broken,
and, with scarcely struggle, he died in
twenty-five minutes. His body was cut
down, placed i'm = coffin, and delivered to
his mother.
Threats were made by certain secret So
ceties OF which the prisoner was a a MEM
Der to rescue him to-day, and for this rea-
son the military company was ordered
here. But no disturbance OF any kind oc-
Cured.
STORY OF wRIGHT's CRIME.
The murder for which Dock was hanged
was committed by him at Muscyille, in this
county, on the 5th Of February, 1881.
During q warrant-trying at that place
Docks grandfather and white man got
to fighting. Dock seeing them from 8
distance, seized heavy four-foot stick
and ran towards them, striking at the
white men present right and left. He
broke one mans arm, another's hand, and
struck Coleman Arthur, a white man, n
blow on the head, from which he died next
day. Wright was tried and convicted
OF murder in the County Court In July
last. An appeal was taken to the Supreme
Court, and the ruling OF the lower court
affirmed. The Governor was then petition
ed to commute his sentence to imprison-
ment for life, but refused.
Since his conviction he has been chained
10 the floor OF the Jail, but n short time ago
nc succeeded in cutting his chains loose,
and was engaged III trying to cut through
the window when he was detected. He
was again secured, and two days after
wards he cut of his shackles, Knocked the
ialcr down as he entered, and ran for his
life, but was captured before he got out Of
the iaiI-yard. A third time he cut his
chains oiT-how no one knows, as no in
strument OF any kind could be found upon
his person. His supcrstitious colored
friends say that the Lord released him.
HIS PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD.
4 short time before he was hanged the
condemned man asked for pen and paper
saying that be wished to write his procla
nation to the world. lie was given writing
materials, and left the following remark
able epistle:
TONAHAwK CREEK, !
PITTS. COUNTY, VA.
The year 1868 that | was born on tho
2Sth OF October can remember very wei
I'D Until now, but the first year | can re.
L.. Col, IL, Ia.
co d year was full Of Grace the third
year Is wofnl and sad; the fourth year was
merry and glad; the fifth year was loving
and giving; the sixth year was work hard
| for y living; the seventh year for meyer tC
want, and | tell you all my advice TO IN,
readers both old and young great anC
small, that have the same road TO run thai
! | have run, but my advice to you all my
Kind readers and likewise list'n'rs watcl
for that is 10 come and always take the pa
rents advice matters not what IL Is.
NEEDED NOT HIS MOTHER AND SWEETHEART
I II had listened to my mother anC
sweetheart | would not went 10 the magis
uatc's trial, and when woman tells MAJ
ANYTHING ii Is sure to come 10 pass.
When any OF you get into difficulty and
be put in Jail YOU will see the old iailel
come up every morning with his eyes like
unto lame OF fire and his face like untC
/ the picture OF judgment, and his hands ful
OF q bundle ii keys, then his hands are like
unto pair of nail grabs. then your eyes art
! like unto two balls OF fire stuck into big
bank Of ashes, seeking for hidlng-placc
| but when YOU look around you see thu
plaster and the iron bars, then all you cal
do is to lay down and study about YOU
enjoyments which have passed away.
WHERE sABBArns HAVE no END.
Farewell TO the world, my time il bu
short to dwell here upon the earth will
YOU all, and may all be prepared to NEE
me in heavenly Fathers Kingdom, wher'
congregations never break up and Sabbath
have no end.
Dock Wright's farewell TO the world.
Let my execution be warning for yol
all, and my young readers keep away from
whiskey, for IL il had not been for whiske.
| would not be In here to-day.
Farewell, my dear old mother; dom
YOU grieyc after me, for am going wher
my Jesus has gone, for angels are waiting
TO welcome me home.
Condoning with "a Trafn-Robber.
ST.. LOUIS, March 3l.-A special TO tn
| Post Dispatch says Dick Little, the tam
robber. has surrendered TO the authorltie
under the following conditions: That h
be granted immunity from punishment b!
the Governor; that he be paid $1,000 casl
| ,1;otalv ON ,,ivinO himself mn and tina