The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-19
DEATH FOR A TERRIBLE CRIME,
TIE SON or an EXEC UTED MUIR
DERER HUNG IN GEORGIA FOR
KILLING ms YOUNG WIFE.
The History of n Crime which Reads Like
Romance aud Exhibits n Degree Of Iiu-
man Deprayity for which Hanging
asa Punishment IL Too Good.
THE EXECUTION YESTERDAY OF
JOSEPH q. JONES. THE
NAN.BEAST.
Especial telegram IN lhe DIsnotch

LEXINGTON, Ga, May 1S.-Joscph G.
Jones, the wife-murdcrcr, has paid the PEN
atty OF his crime. Yesterday morning, hay
ing given up all hope Of Executive clemen-
cy, he made the attempt upon his lille.
which well-nigh proved fatal. \ gallon OF
blood must have been lost before he was
discovered, and he lay in stupor until this
morning. Davis. the night sheriff. Dostcr,
and the physicians telegraphed his condi-
ton to Governor Mcdaniel, begging re-
spite. The Governor replied, tcrscly,
"LET TIE SENTENCE or THE LAW BE Exc
CUTED."
When Jones regained CONSCIOUSNESS this
morning his FIRST question was whether. q
repricve had been granted. when the
Seriif replied. "No, you must die at $3.50"
with a spirit Of animation he replied !:
Then l am ready" He arose and dress
ed in black suit, slippers, standing collar,
and white tie. For dinner he ate four
soft-boilcd eggs. He was greatly annoyed
by the armed guards. At / O'Clock the
sheriff took him a buggy
mile distant, situated in n valley sur
rounded by three hills. upon which mass
OF humanity stood-iully seven thousand
people. The prisoner assembled the steps
of the scalold with firm tread. and look
ing quickly over the sea OF faces, immedi-
ately began a iabbering speech, in which
he referred TO his want Of education. and
warned his listeners that many of them
might yet stand where ne did. He exon
Grated the sheriff from blame in his at
tempted suicide, but expressed no contri-
ton whatever for the murder Of his wife.
+ The Rev. John G.. Gibson Qap:is) be-
sought his hearers TO give ear to what the
exhausted man might say. During his re-
marks the prisoner would break down and
ask for water, perspirc, and begin anew.
Finally his hands and feet were tied, and
with uncovered head
HE STOOD ON TIE TRAP.
DIR. Gibson prayed. Jones said he was
sinner. then looked at the rope, saying !:
" That's mighty bunglinS rope, amt it q?
but it will catch around my neck at some
thing" Turning TO the audience he con-
tinued: Il want to show you while the
rope is around my neck ! am not afraid"
Just then the black cap was adjusted. The
trap was sprung at $3.50 and Jones was
dangling in the air. He hung fifteen
minutes. not nerve twitchng. The doc
tors pronounced him dead in twenty min
utes. and ne was lowered in bis coffin and
brought back to town, where the body was
delivered to his foster-mother.
History OF "a Black Crime.
Joseph G. Jones alias Cohen was one OF
four orphan children brought years ago
from Mississippi for adoption by Mr.. Brent
wood Jones. benevolent gentleman OF this
county. His father, it has since been
learned, was executed in Mississippi for the
same crime for which the son has just paid
the forfeit with his life. lie grew up to be
q man Of strong passion, notwithstanding
the strong religious influences thrown
around him by his kind guardian. At the
/ Ghdcs. few miles distant, lived widow
lady. Mrs. Matthews. with an interesting
the daughter was vet only eleven years old.
Jones demanded her hand in marriage, and
upon the mother hesitating threatened TO
make ruinous disclosures concerning the
child.
D. TIE MOCKERY OF A MARRIAGE
took place, but il was not many months
/ before the brute sought 10 transfer his pas
sious from the daughter to the mother.
\ ri al nd no
forced 10 fy the country. Absent about
three years. lie returned last fall, engaging
in work with Hon. James VI. Smith, the
great cotton-rai>er Of Oglcthorpe county.
His efforts TO approach his vile, Just now
sixteen wears OF aye, were unsuccessful.
/ He attributed this refusal to the influence
OF the mother. who has been the subject OF
his special aversion ever since. On the Sc
cond Friday OF last March. while the women
were engaged in their household avoca-
tions. they saw him approaching the house,
and quickly sent messengers TO neighbOrs
for assistance. Meantime Jones entered
the house,
PISTOL N HAND,
and compelled his wife to quietly receive
his visit. lie then leycllcd his pistol at his
mother-in-law and made the most insulting
demand OF her. Just then several neigh
bors came upon the scene and pariey took
place, during which all parties went out
into the yard. Zurilld, the wife, observing
suspicious movements on the part Of her
husband, ran behind 4 Mr.. Tillcr, eXclaim-
ing:
"THAT MAN Is GOING TO KILL Me-"
Walking up to Mr.. Tiler, Jones took
hold Of him with one arm, while with the
other he reached around and fred two
shots in quick succession, both taking effect
i'm his wiie-One entering the abdomen, the
other SCATTERING her arm. The unfortunate
woman fell at his feet and soon expired.
The act created unbounded indignation
throughout the country. Jones was ar
rested that afternoon and placed in Ogle-
thorpe jail. That night about II O'Clock a
body OF forty men, on horseback, fully
armed, surrounded the Jail for
THE PURPOSE OF LYNCHING
the prisoner. Wiser heads, however, pre-
vailed upon the body to dispense by promiS-
Inc that no delay should be had in the trial.
The horSemen threatened that il the court
tsoon to assembly hcsitated in its duty they
would return and dispatch the prisoner.
In the mean time Jones began to feign In
sanity, and three times
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
once by taking morphine, secured by some
unknown means; another time by swal-
lowing broken glass, and third by pound
ing his head against the walls azA floor Of
his prison-cell. To prevent him from sue
Il. L. is.s,a NO. 1i