Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-05

FERNANDINA, FLA, August 4.-Merrick
Jackson expiated his crime on the gallows
to-day at one O'Clock. He was composed,
and laughed when the moose was adjusted.
He died from strangulation, but after the
drop fell no movement of the body was per-
ceptible. The execution passed off quietly.
Jsckson's crime was committed at Kings
Ferry, Nassau county, Florida. On the
18th November, 1881. jackson went to q
festival held near Kings Ferry, srming
himself with q club OF green wood about
TWO and half feet long and about two
inches In diameter, filed with lead at the
butt end. On ARRIVING at the festival he
started row. The testimony of several
witnesses brought forth the following facts:
George Ferguson and John Thomas, two
negroes from Georgia, were sitting on the
porch of the house where the festivities
were being held, talking to q negro woman,
when jackson came from the inside of the
house inquiring for Ferguson. AS soon as
jackson discovered Ferguson and Thomas
on the porch he struck them both In the
head with his club, knocking them of of
the porch to the ground. Jackson jumped
down, and standing over the PROSTATE form
OF Thomas, dealt him several blows on the
side OF the head with the club, crushing in
his skull. from the effects of which he died.
Ferguson in the meanwhile got out of the
way.
jackson, not satisfied with what he had
done, went to his home and procuring q
gun returned to the scene of his crime and
tried to find Ferguson, but being unsuccess-
full, returned to his home. The negroes in
the neighborhood, learning of the crime,
became very much incensed, and during the
night organized, surrounded Jackson's
house and captured him, bringing him to
Fernandina, where he was safely lodged In
the county jail.
Jackson was indicted on the 18th of
April, 1882, tried by a jury mostly of his
own color, defended by able counsel, but
was found guilty OF murder in the first de-
gree on April 10th, and was sentenced by
Judge Baker on April 21st to be hanged on
August 4th. This was the first hanging In
Nassau county In many years.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, August 4.-Harri-
son Carter, colored, who murdered Lewis
Adams, colored, at Baldwin, In this county,
on January 6, 1882, was executed in :he jail /
yard here to-day.
Carter and his victim worked at Dowling's
mills, some six miles from Baldwin. They
were somewhat under the influence of
liquor on the night Of the murder, and had
been induigtng In q controversy regarding
their rations. About ten O'Clock they, in |
company with two other hands, started from
Baldwin for the mill. When a short dis |
tsnce on the road they left the track, but had |
not proceeded far before Carter suddenly |
seized pistol from the pocket of one /
of his companions, and, turning, shot |
Adams through the heart, killing bin in |
stantly. He then fired at one of the other |
men, but fortunately missed his mark, af- |
ter which he attempted to escape. He was /
caught, however, after running about a
mile into the woods, and brought back to |
Baldwin. where he was placed In eonfne-
ment. He was later removed to jail, tried, |
convicted and sentenced to pay the death /
penalty.