The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-04


ments. Thereafter they took up their car
pet-bags. and moving ont disappeared In
,he dark cloud OF colored people that lined
the boundaries OF the jail-yard and court
house. Charles Lee remained in his cell in
company with his three spiritual advisers
until about 11:i5 O'Clock A. NJ.
GIVES HIM THE GLOVES.
Barbara Miller. when she came ont OF
Cbarles's cell from the prayer-meeting, held
in her hands a brown-paper parcel. In it
was pair OF white cotton gloves that
she had asked and obtained permission to
present to Charles Lee. The Sheriff told
her TO hold to them until he took Charles
TO the gallows, and then she could give
them to him. Pursuant to this promise, at
11:45 O'Clock Barbara's cell-door was
opened and she was conducted to Charles's
cell.
The sheriff told him that he had but q
few minutes to live. and that he must get
up and prepare for the ordeal OF death.
The colored iaiIer also added word of en-
couragement and advice.
Lee was adjusting q white handkerchief
around his head, but at a suggestion from
the sheriff took it off. He stood up and
put on thin black alpaca sack-coat; after
which Barbara undone her parcel, took out
the white-cotton gloves, and in quite a
lover-like manner proceeded to stretch
them over Charles's hands-the gloves be-
ing a size or two too small. With the ut
most indifference to the seriousness Of the
surroundings, she then proceeded TO whs-
per for half a minute something in the ear
OF the murderer, after which she kissed
him and went back to her cell and was
locked up. While these scenes were being
enacted inside the crowd on the outside
began TO get anxIoUs, knowing that the
hour for the execution had arrived. Yells
OF "Timc's up " Here he comes " and
loud shouts could be heard outside OF the
Jail.
THE MARCH TO THE GALLONS.
As soon as Barbara had gone Sheriff
| Southwark told Lee that the time had come
| TO take him TO the galOws, and in his sock
| feet, escorted by the sheriff and iailer. and
| followed by the three colOred ministers and
half-doZen reporters, the march TO the
gallows was commenced. As soon as the
cOrtege reached the iail-yard, in pursuance
OF the programme adopted by the cOlored
clergy, mournful hymn was sung, COM
mencing with the words,
Ozark and thorny is the desert
Through which the pilgrims make their way"
With q firm step the condemned man
marched up the seventeen steps to the top
OF the scaflold. Close behind him followed
the sheriff, the coored iaier, the Common
wealth's attorney, and the three colored
ministers.
LAST MOMENTS.
Standing upon the tall scafIold Sheriff
Southwark read the sentence OF death to
the criminal. The sun blazed with fervid
heat upon the crowd within the high brick
walls Of the Jail enclosure, the intensity Of
its rays being increased by the reflection
| from the walls, vet there was visible no
manifestation OF faintness or fear on the
part OF Charles Lee. He stood bolt up
right. and seemed unmOyed at what was
going on. After the Sheriff finished read
| ing the sentence OF death he informed Lee
that If he wished to make any remarks to
the crowd that the time had arrived for
him TO do so. Approaching the verge Of
the scafiold, and with less excitement
than is often observed in the average stump
speaker, Lee said "Well, don't have
anything much to say; l only want to adj
wise my friends TO take warning. and not
to be persuaded and led off like | was. 1
would advise that you all that has got chill
dren growing up to raise them up right,
50 that they will not be led off as | was led
OFF. | think / am prepared to make nv
peace with God. | trust that | will be able
to meet you all in Heaven. | don't have
much to say, but | 20 prepared. | feel
that am fitted to die
Toward the close Of his talk his voice
fell so low that what else he may have said
was lost. 1t, however, seemed to partakc
OF repetition. Having finished, he took a
seat on the only chair on the scatlOld. Re
lieious services were then conducted by
the Rev. A. Binga (cOlored), Of Manches-
ter, and Rev. Boswell, OF Richmond.
AN EXCITED ExHORTER.
The latter seemed much more excited
than Lee. He delivered IN eXhOrtation, III
which he took occasion TO say: " We are
here on a serious occasion and not on a
frOlic. and every one OF you stand a chance
of coming to this under similar conditions.
do not see anything to frolic over
He then went on TO speak OF the power
OF God TO forgive SINS, and said: "GOd
can forgive all sins except for scli-murder
and shining against the Holy Ghost. am
glad have had an opportunity to visit this
our dear friend, and that he will be per-
haps in ten minutes in glory. Some may
think il is not So" lie concluded by say
ing, "Henceiorth is laid up a crown OF
glory for me-" which language. lie said,
would be found in Romans. One OF his
brother-minsters hastily whispered in his
ear, after which he said, d" In Timothy, my
brother says, but undoubtedly thought it
was in Romans"
Towards the close OF his address the
minister became very earnest, and said
this was the first hanging he had ever wit
messed, and that he came to this because he
was called on. He felt it his duty to see
this man and shake his hand. He then
proceeded to shake the condemned man by
the hand, and said:
"If YOU get 10 the kingdom of God before do,
Look out for me, Tor am coming, tOO.n
While Rev. Boswell was shaking hands
with Lee the colored iailer, standing near.
wiped the perspiration from the doomed
mans brow. The other colored ministers
came forward and told Lee goodbye,
wringing his hand and embracing the op-
portunity to say something in the shape Of
announcement. The ministers left the scat
fold. and Sheriff Southwark proceeded TO
adjust the black hood and place the halter
around Lees neck. While these solemn
scenes were being enacted Lees lips
moved, but no voice emanated from them.
Evidently he was praying silently.
A COOL CRIMINAL.
No quaking or sign Of fear marked his
movements, however. He appeared dazed
almost, and perhaps entirely unconscious
Of what was taking place; at any rate, I'M
mindful OF it.
At 1925 Sheriff Soutbward stepped to
the railing Of the scafiold and gave the sig
nal by dropping his handkerchief. Consta-
bic Neurohr pulled the prop from under
the trap and the body shot through the
nnnninr like q flash. The fall was about