Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-01-17
for looking at the pictures in the illustrated
papers, a number Of which were iurnlsneo
him by acquaintance.

iail ward. and consisted of four uprights,
supporting a platform and trap about eight
feet from the ground. 1t was enclosed on
all sides from the top to the bottom, with
the exception of the low r part OF the north
side, through which ascent to the platform
was obtained, and thus ths interior was
completely obscured from view OF those on
the outside. 1t was a substantial structure,
and vet so constructed that one blow of the
Ratchet severed the rope and sprung the
trap instantly. From a bar across the
uprights at the top was suspended the strong
rope and moose. The scsffOld was compile
ted Saturday evening.
THE DAY OF DOOM.
Yesterday dawned cloudy and sultry, but
| before ten o'clock the sun shone out beauti-
fully, and the weather was charming, bright
! and balmy. Although no particular hour
was set in the sentence for the Xecution, it
was understood by the hundreds who had
been auxiously making inquiries on the
subject, that it would be twelve o'clock
Williams was consulted by Sheriff Roman
and stated that he would like to be hung at
half past twelve O'Clock, and that hour was
accordingly decided upon.
At half past ten o'clock Williams was let
out OF his cell, and began to Cress for the
execution, being assisted by Deputy Sheriff
VIM. Hall, cOored. He was clothed in an
alpaca coat, black pants, white vest, white
gloves, turn down collar and black cravat,
and presented genteel appearance. When
asked how he had spent the night, he re-
piled he had not slept as well as he wished,
but felt pretty well, and, in firm tone, said
"I'M READY TO DE-"
After his apparel had been adjusted to
suit him he said: "Wen, now Pm ready"
and appeared to be in very cheerful spirits.
Meanwhile crowds had been gathering
around the jail, and by half past eleven
O'Clock there was
DENSE MASS OF PEOPLE,
mostly colored men, women and children,
many of the women having infants in their
arms, and the trees and fences In the vi
cinity were literally covered with men and
boys. Vehicles of every description, filed
with people, were banked in the vacant lot
Immediately opposite the jail, and along
Whitaker street, while the western walk of
the Park extension was thronged from one
extremity to the other. 1t is estimated that
there were fully five or six thousand persons
IN the vicinity; many came from the coun-
try for miles around, aud hundreds from
the plantations on the South Carolina side.
There were also a large number of white
persons in the crowd. Notwithstanding the
great throngs the best Of
ORDER WAS PRESERVED
on the streets, Lieutenant Shettall having
detail of police under Sergeant Green de-
plOyed on the sidewalk IN front of the jail
to keep back the surging mass Of people,
the majority of whom seemed to be utterly
oblivious to the solemnity Of the occasion,
and were laughing, Joking, cursing, smOk-
ing and indulging in discourse i'll fitted for
such time and place, when an unfortunate
fellow creature was about to expiate his
crimes with his life.
At half past eleven o'clock Williams was
asked by mis- spiritual adviser, Rev. U. L.
Houston, If he would like to make any re-
marks TO the crowd which had gathered in
front Of the building.
He replied very promptly: Yes,
sir | would like to say few remarks-tell
them good bye, and say one or two other
words"
He was then asked if he could stand the
ordeal and not be frightened, to which he
replied, very confidently:
ooh, YES, sir, can do it. I'm ready to
meet my fate"
BIB ADDRESSES THE CROWD.
He was then conducted to the front
steps OF the Jail by the Sheriff and the
preacher, when the latter briefly introduced
him The appearance of Williams on the
steps wss the cause of intense excitement
among the crowd and the great mass
Iressed forward in tumultuOus struggles to
get a look at the unfortunate man. The
police, however, kept them back from the
sidewalk, and Williams, after looking
calmly and leisurely over the vast throng
for few seconds without moving a muscle
apparently or being in the least perturbed,
spoke out in a loud voice:
GOOD bye, gentlemen, friends and &C
quaintances 1 beg you all to take warning
by my fate. l have been lost, but now / am
found, and have happiness in my Lord Jesus
Christ. / am going to heaven, and will
intercede with Jesus for you all, and will
try and save you place. Turn from your
sinful ways. Gambling and bad company
have brought me TO this. Tn &c who die
without knowing God find hcil Therefore,
prepare to meet your God l was nothing
hut a gambler. Now nv judgment day is
not far off, ard I am happy in knowing the
Lord Jesus, who died TO save sinners. This
world won't last always, so YOU had better
prepare for Judgment day. I hope you will
al try and do right. II you want to see God
face him In heaven. Goodbye. Meet me
in heaven. I will strive to prepare a place
for you. Again, good bye, and meet me
there"
During these remarks, delivered in sing
song style, without much expression, but
In clear, distinct tones, plainly audible to
the limits Of the crowd, there was q con-
tinual surging among the mass, and such
calculations as "Bress de Lord ~ Fore
God, JESS look at him ~ CANT it sadr' and
"Ohs, Obs !" "Ahs, Abs ~ without number.
At the close there were frantic shrieks from
females, yells from the males, aud,
It IS said, several Of the women, IN their ex-
element, swooned away.
CONDUCTED TO THE GALLONS.
As Williams ceased speaking he took an
other look at the crowd, and then, turning
his back on them, was conducted through
the passage into the yard and to the scat
fold. He walked erect and with firm tread
and certainly evinced throughout the most
remarkable composure, either not realizing
his approaching doom or being utterly
callous and Indifferent about 1t. On reach
ing the steps Of the scstfold, he halted
second and gaZed calmly up at the swinging
rope TO which the fatal moose was attached,
then without a word followed the Sheriff's
deputy up the steps to the platform, the
preacher accompanying him. He still showed
no tremulstiOn. Rev Houston sang hymn
and offered a PRAYER for the soul of the
unfortunate man. He then turned and shook
hands with Williams, and bidding him good
bye, started to descend the steps. Williams
called out: "GOod-bye goodbye I bid
you all farewell. l am going to Jesus Just
as soon as my breath leaves my body.
will fly to j esus. l thank all who have been
kind to me, and especially you, Mr.. Jones
Zone of the guards. You have been very
Kind to me. l will save seat in heaven
for you. Meet me there. Goodbye Good
bye %
His feet and arms were then secured and
the rope was adjusted and the black cap
drawn over his face.
Sheriff Roman then read the sentence, in
conformity with the law, at the conclusion
of which he said to him: "Jesse Williams,
are you ready to die ~ Eyes, sir, [ am,
Sheriff, )" responded Williams. Sheriff Ro-
nan; "Then may the Lord have mercy on
your soul"
At precisely twenty minutes past twelve
o'clock, the officers having left the plat
form, the rope was cut, and
THE TRAP FELL,
and the body Of Jesse Williams was dang
ling in the air. AS the rope came taut the
of the form were terrible, and
it was at first thought that death would be
produced from strangulation, but the ex-
animation of the body by physicians after it
had been cut down showed that the neck was
broken at the fall. The body was left sus-
pended for thirteen minutes and half, when
it was taken down and life was pronounced
extinct by the Coroner, DR.. B. F. Sheftall,
there also being present Dr. J. s. Saunders,
DR.. F. T. Lincoln, DR.. Bulloch, DR.. Sim
kins, DR.. Wragg, OF Florida, DR.. p. H.
COker, colored.
THE CORPSE DELIVERED TO THE FATHER.
The father and brother of Williams were
admitted to the jail yard, and witnessed the
hanging. The old man seemed greatly af-
fected, and the brother remarked to some
one near him that ":hey wouldn't get him
there" After death was pronounced by