Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-01-10
STRUGGLING ON rHH soAFsoLD.
Two Criminals Who Tried 10 Eseape
Their Doom.

James Crummidy, a nssro drspHrado,
who shot white mnn named Mitchell ter
mildly sxpostulsting with hiu, while he
(Crummidy) aud otbsr negroes were IL
dulgiug in drunken iroic, was hanged
at Eastman, Ga, Friday. a few
minutes beiore IL o'clock .he sheriff and
his posse entered the prisoners cell to
take him out and egaeute the sentence OF
ths court. Crummidy propped himself
against the rear wall at his cell and was
very obstinate. He desired to see both
white and oolored oitizsns to talk to them
but was refused by the sheriff.
When the guard proceeded to take
hold of him and lead him out he drew
small pocket knife and cut his own throat
three times, severing the jugular vein
and carotid artery. At first he was
thought to be cutting at one OF the
guards, but by-stsnder says this is a
mistake. The blood flowed profusely
from his wound and he fell backward
upon the floor saying, "You'll never
hang me Tll die frst! Several physi-
cians were summoned and used every en-
desvor to check the blood and save the
prisoners life. His condition WAS pre-
oariouB. Occasionally he showed signs
of improvement, but his death was only
question of few hours at most.
Hundreds of persons crowded about the
jail enclosure, anxieusly awaiting the
result. 1t WAS almost impossible for the
guard to keep the crowd from entering
the enclosure.
The sheriff WAS in dilemma and knew
not what to do. A telegram was sent to
Governor Mcdaniel, asking what should
be done, but the wires were down and
telegraphic communication cut off. The
time fixed for the execution had nearly
expired and Crummidy still lived though
he had lost much blood. The physicians
thought 1t doubtful whether any human
power could prolong his life more than a
few hours. Sheriff Rawlins asked the
advice Of attorneys as to whether he
ought TO proceed with the execution of
the sentence. These differed In their
opinions. Some of those standing
around thought the prisoner should be
hanged, while others thought not.
1t was finally determined to hang him,
and he was borne to the gallows, several
hundred yards in the rear of the Jail and
placed in chair upon the platform, his
head being suspended by two men. The
prisoner spoke not q word, having lost
the power OF speech.
At five minutes before O'Clock the
drop rope was cut by the sheriff and
Crnmmidy was launched into eternity in
the presence OF hundreds OF speototors In
almost breatnless silence. The body WAS
cut down at seven minutes after 3 o'clock
and life pronounced extinct by the ply
sieiaus, Fisher, Herman and Lstimer.
| An equally sensational scene attended
| the hanging, Friday, of Edward alias
| Valmar Rector, at Baton Rouge, La, who
murdered Duncan Williams, in December,
| 1882, by siabbing him in the back. Rector
had also murdered his step-fsther, with
out provocstion, but had escaped punish
ment for this crime.
| When he first mounted the scatfold,
Rector displayed much ooolness. After
religious exercises lie addressed the
people in loud, clear voice. He likened
himself to looking glass, In which all
could look. "Avoid whisky Shops" he
said, or liquor may bring you to the
gallows, as it has me-" He said that
God had blessed his needy soul. He was
going home TO Jesus. "If you have
children" he said, "tel them to let
whisky alone. Put away your pistols
and knives or they will bring you here. ="
He then said where is my little boy
Look at me, my son, and take warning" :"
The child was present, weeping bitterly.
The sheriff drew down the black cap,
affixed the rope and stepped off the
soatfOld, closely followed by Rector.
The culprit was then taken back 10 the
1 drop, but refused to remain, following
the deputies when they left. He was
forced back time and again, but, finally,
80 great were his efforts, that the united
strength of three men was necessary to
keep him on the trap. He grasped the
rope about his neck and his hold could
not be released by the officers. So pro
longed was the struggle aud 30 great the
display of strength by Rector that the
sheriff was compelled TO cali upou the by
stauders for assistance. All this time
Rector was uttering the most terrifying
soreaWs
The officers then attempted to force hin
upon his knees. when another struggle
commenced, and it took several men to
throw him down on the trap He fought
hard and begged most piteuusly to be
spared. The struggle for life continued
for some time Finally, at 2.92, tht
doomed man, bound in cords, was thrown
earthward from the trap, falling 6 feet
Life was not extinct until the expiration
of Is minutes after the drop iell, al
shown by the pulsatioDs. The body
was out down at 2 90 O'Clock and turned
over to his brother. Two hundred spec
totor5 witnessed the execution. Tht
scene was most horrible and oaused many
TO shuddsr aud turn away, but the jus
tice OF the sentence was acknow lodged bJ
all.