The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-08-02
NECKS IN MOSES.
A Field Day for tho Hangman
in All Parts Of the
Country.
Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee and New
York Contribute Their Quota to Sum
Total of Seven Hangings.
The Colored Population Largely Repre-
scented by Principal Actors in
the Days Dramas.
Alexander Jefferson Hanged.

BRooKlYS, n. Y, August l.--Alexan-
der jefferson, negro, who in jealous rage
killed Henry Hicks and Emma Jackson,
also colored, and nearly killed Anna
Jackson at Mrs. Jacbson's residence,
Brooklyn, paid the penalty Of his crime
upon the scaftold atten O'Clock this morn.
ing in the presence of 400 spectators.
He had become resigned to his fate weeks
ago, and when asked if ne was prepared
replied that b. was, for he had placed
faith In tho Lord, whom lie knew hadf
given him.
NEW YORK, August 1.-The gallows,
from the beam of which the negro Alex
ander Jefferson was hanged to explate
a double murder, was put in position
Wednesday at one o'clock in the eastern
end OF the central corridor Of the Ray
mond Street jail in Brooklyn 1t consists
Of upright beams and cross piece painted
a dull leadcn color as the instrument
used In the Tombs few years ago, when
Chastine Cox, also negro, eXpiated the
murder of Mrs. Hill Its last victim
was Edw. Hovey. While the galloYs
was being put in position, Jefferson, who
was sitting in a rocking chair in the cor
ridor opposite his cell, guarded by Depu-
ty Sherlffs, could hear the sound Of the
carpenters hammers. He did not seem
in the least disturbed, but pulled away at
his cigar When plank fell on the stone
tagging, he started and remarked to his
keeper: "The scaftold is being erected.
The end is near, am prepared"
He retired at II 80 Wednesday night
and slept soundly until seven yesterday
morning. His breakfast was eaten with
relish. IN answer TO a question by one
OF the deputies he said 81 fare pretty
well, but it's harG."
After breakfast he sat in a rocking chair
In the corridor outside his cell and light
ed cigar. : He is agreat smoker. Since
he has been under death watch he has
smoked al average of twenty-five cigars
a day ...
The Rey. Mr., Dixon prayed with the
murderer. The hymn, "Thy will be
DONE" was sung and that brought the
service to close. Before leaving Mr..
Dixon asked
''Do you lind consolation in the Saw
ior?"
son, yes. only wish had been made
d new man before
mir. Dixon left the jail at 1880 in the
forenoon, District Attorney Ridgeway
visited the jail He had a brief interview
with Jefferson, who said he had no III
feeling against that official.
linda Gilbert, the prison reformer, was
permitted to have few moments talk
with Jefferson. Subsequently Jefferson
remarked
"The time is short | hear the noise
they are making putting up the gallows.
II won't be long before my troubles are
over | would rather die than be con-
fined in prison for six or seven years.
Hanging is not the kind Of death would
prefer :, hut can not have my way, l am
however, reconciled TO my fate. COM
united a grieyous crime against God and
man, / nope am forgiven. During the
past three days l have felt that have
been fully converted. forgive ALL"
In the course OF the day jefferson re-
Gaested that Mrs. Harris, an aged ne
gress, who has been kind to him, should
be sent for. A messenger was sent to her
home, and within an hour she was at the
Jail. She had an affecting interview with
the prisoner. He bore up bravely, and
her tears and ShrieEs as she was parting
with him forever, did not bring u tear to
his eyes His sweetheart, Anna Jackson,
he expressed q wish to see. She has
been married since his arrest, and her
hus ban nj bap tn
upon tine murderer. When Jefferson was
informed that his sweetheart would not
be allowed to visit him, he almost broke
down, He mastered his emotion, and
turning to, his keepers, said:
is, perhaps, better that she did not
conc. forgive her" 80.
Late in the afternoon two negroes
named King and White, and the colored
evangelist, Miss Wallace, were admitted
to the corridor Jefferson said that he
was glad to see them. There was very
little said, and the visitors remained only
few minutes In the evening an i'm
pressive service was held in the cor
rider. Rev. j. &. Ross, Rev. George
Dixon, DR.. Pullmanand Rev &C. Towns
end were present, and also choir COM
posed of three men and five women.
Geo. Mills, who Is under sentence of
death for wife murder, and Giuseppe
Gnidici, who is also candidate for the
gallows for taking the life of fellow
comtryman, attended the. service. A
small organ stood in the corridor, and a
! young lady played it. After prayer JEFF
fersou made speech as follows: H .
''"A year ago Mills, who occupied the
| next cell to me, told me to believe in the
Lord, j began to think the matter over,
and ] believe that have been forgiven
all Inv inS.p IgLI eIG5N .AAIH ]
Jefferson's brother Celestial, whom,he
tried to murder, advanced to meet him.
| He kissed him and said:
1t this moment there should be no
| hard feeling between us. am prepared
/ to die
After Jeffersol's body is cut down an
autopsy will be made, Jefferson has au-
| thorized his counselto cause his brain to
be'examined after death. ..v-
| 90 - ~ "a Nh MA an
ia, Ia ,s. s1 A Triple Hanging.