Daily Republican., 1882-08-25
THE GALLOWS.
JAMES REDDEN PAYS THE
DEATH PENALTY OF
VIOLATED LAW.
THE GENIE. =

~
THE GENIE
The crime for which James Redden
suffered the extreme penalty of the law
was committed on the morning of the
23d Of last February. His Victim, little
Sallio Purse, who was then about Ii
years OF age, being alone in the house,
with the exception baby sister, about
2 years of age. The house where the
outrage was committed, is situated on
the road between ODESSA and FIELDS
boro. The father had been away for
couple of days, and the mother had
gone that morning, Immediately after
breakfast, to see sick person, leaving
Sallie to wash the dishes and Straighten
up the house. About o'clock Redden
came along and after entering the house
asked the girl to give him something to
eat. Not having anything cooked she
baked him some cakes, fried some meat
and made some coffee. When he was
done eating he went to the door and af-
ter looking up and down the road re-
turned, and selZlDg hold of the child
threw her on the floor, at the same time
telling her "if you holler, l III kill you, I"
accompanying the threat with motion
as though he was about to draw knife
from his pocket,
THE ARREST.
After the foul decd had been consul
mated he remained in the house for sew
eral hours, and notwithstanding her with
death In case she told her mother, he
took his departure While he was in
the house two cOlored men passed along
the road and he spoke TO one of them
When Mrs. Purse returned in the even
ing, Sallie told her what had happened
but it was some time before the mother
could believe it. The next day Mr..
Purse returned, but before he reached
home heard of the affair which by that
time was pretty well known all over the
country. The father had warrant is
sued Immediately, and Redden was
arrested the same eveningwhile holding
horse in front Of Vandyke store. He
was taken to the house of Mr.. Purse,
and fully identified by Sallie as her as
sailant. The next day he was taken to
New Castle where he was kept until the
May term of Court when ne was
brought to this city tor trial.
THE TRIAL AND CONNlCIlONs
When the case was called Harry
Sharpley Esq, was appointed by the
Court to defend him. After delay OF
several days, during which Mr.. Sharp
ley was using every means in his power
| TO obtain witnesses who would be able
to clear his client of the horrid crime
with which he was charged the trial
was commenced
The prisoner plead not guilty, and af
ter some fifteen challenges had been
made jury consisting of IL white men
and colored man was secured. The
evidence was direct and couvinc'
ing, that of his victim, who broke down
several times on the stand, especially
so. The defence endeavored to prove
an alibi, but utterly tailed in the at
tempt and the few witnesses that were
examined only tended to show still
further that he was at the house the
time the offense was committed. The
counsel on both sides made able argu-
ments, and the jury after being charg-
cd by the Chief Justice. retired at noon
on the second day of the trial. TheeVl'
dence was so clear that it was not ex-
pected they would be out more than a
few hours, but contrary to all expecta'
ton it was 10 hours before they arrived
at verdict. They came into Court on
the morning of the second day for in
structions, and about an hour after
wards returned with verdict Of guilty
Immediately after the verdict was rem
dered Court adjourned until 3 O'Clock
| in the afternoon. During the recess
the prisoner was removed to one OF the
cells in the basement of the Court
House, and made no hesitation in
.onfessing his guilt and saying that all
the girl had said was true.
At 3o'ciock in the afternoon of the
same day he was again brought into
Court and the Chief Justice after dwell.
ing on the enormity of the crime, and
piCturing the blasted life of this inno-
cent child, sentenced him to be hung
Eon the 25th of August.
HOW HE PASSED THE TIME.
After his sentence he was removed tC
New Castle Jail in a close carriage. He
has been quiet and orderly, aad ate his
meals with q relish that seemed strange
ly in keeping with the position in which
he was placed. He was frequently Wis
tied by Rev. DR.. Spotswood, a colored
pre- cher and other friends. He learn
cd to read and seemed to take great
pleasure in reading the Bible. His
mother is a constant visitor and has al
ways tried to give him encouragement
and consol olatioD. Although she always
seemed calm an observer could not fail
TO see that it was only by great effort
she concealed her emotions while she
was in his presence. On several occa-
sions he has confessed that he did
wrong and was sorry tor it,
THE EXECUTION.
Redden was executed at 1921 this
morning. The Sheriff cut the rope and
his feet touched the ground. AT l026