The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1884-06-05
NUMBER is.
BUTCHER BROWN.
Hanged al BeIievilie, ILL.,, for the Murder
of the Peddler Lavigne--A Brutal Crime
Speedily Expiated.

Hanged nj BeIievilie, ILL.,, for tho Murder
of the Peddler Lavigne--A Brutal Crime
Speedily Expiated.
BELLEvILLE, ILL, May 90.
Decoration Day opened bright and
clear, and would have been thought a
splendid one for any purpose but an exc
cution. Brown, the murderer, rose early
this morning, and to those who watched
him closely he showed little signs OF
weakening. He prayed fervently, how
ever, aud seemed satisfied that he was
going to glory. Sheriff Roplequet was
an early visitor at the jail, and he also
Inspected the scaffold and got everything
in readiness. The execution created q
great deal OF excitement IN the town,
and as early as s a. IN. large crowds
stood In the bright sun surrounding tho
| spot where the scaffold was built. Brown
was shaved by Jack Mason a preacher
barber, shortly after rising. He
then fell to and ate hearty meal
Of beans and potatoes, and returned to
his prayers. His wife was seen but
sturdlly refused to converse. She strong
ly resembles an Indian In all her charac-
teristics, and has a cunning look.
"Don't know nothing,n Is her constant
answer to questions.
During the morning Brown seemed In
| good spirits, and conversed freely with
his attendants. At 9s30 a. IN. Sheriff
Ropiequet entered the cell with his
| Deputies and proceeded to read the
death warrant, which Brown listened
to calmly and with the closest ntten-
ton. "Put on the ropes,n said the
| Sheriff, Immediately after reading the
warrant, aud the negro was quickly
| pinioned. At this juncture Browns
wife began moaning and sobbing In her
cell, but making no boisterous demon
stratlon of grief. The line of march
to the gallows was arranged slowly and
| in good order, as the attendance per-
mitted by law in this Stateis quite small.
| Supported by Elder Luce and the Sheriff,
| the condemned negro shuflied along,
making a strong effort to keep up his
| tagging spirits. Following him were
| representatives OF the court, several
county officials, the jury selected Co wit
ness the hanging, and number Of news
| paper reporters.
Elder Luce made a lengthy and fervent
| prayer, which was interrupted by the
''amensn of the criminal The Sheriff
then asked Brown IL he had anything to
say, and the condemned negro answered
! huskily, eyes" He then made brief
speech, confessing the murder of La
vigne, declaring himself sure of heaven,
and expressing his faith In the forgive-
ness OF God. The drop fell promptly,
and in twelve minutes Brown was pro-
nounced dead
The discovery which led to the arrest
and conviction Of Brown was made
March last, by some boys living near
Cahokia. Their first find was a part Of
the chest of Lavigne, Tee murdered man,
d section of the Ribs with the flesh torn
| nff ~ "a hao orf la1 tfof
| lii twain. These portions were half-con-
cealed In the mud and Ice OF slough,
about one-quarter of a mile from the VIII
| lage and near the road leading TO East st.
| Louis. Shortly after this hnd, and only q
few yards distant, more ribs, kidney and
| pieces OF flesh were taken from the mad
and weeds at the edge Of the slough The
remains in both instances had evidently
been disinterred by several hungry dogs,
| whose barking had attracted the atten-
tlon OF the boys.
During the following week, while skat-
ing on pond nenr Browns cabin, some
children came upon a bundle consisting
| of aprons, oil cloths aud bibbs, evidently
peddler's stock In trade. Deputy
Sheriff Anthony hastened TO the scene
and entered upon an inspection OF
several negro cabins which are located
in that vicinity. The result was that
Brown, his wife ansi step-daughter were
all arrested and taken to East st. Louis.
| The following day, March z, Sheriff Ro-
piequet, Deputies Dawson and Ragland
and States Attorney Holder made thor
ough inspection of Browns place. The
floor was aecked with blood stains, as
was also an AK, and In the Fireplace,
among the ashes, was the charred skull
Of human being. The officers returned
TO BelleyiIle with their prisoners, and
while still on the train, Brown made a
confession which fixed his doom 10 a Ger.
tainty.