The Dawson journal., 1884-08-28
TEE LAW INDICATED,
George Jones, the Rapist, Hung

On last Monday the streets anC
by-ways Of Dawson were packed
with people from one end Of tn,
town to the other. Not only haG
Terrell poured out her thousands
upon the town,but all the counties
lying adjacent had done their basi
to out-riyal Terrell in the number
OF people furnished on that day
The crowd was estimated by good
judges to number not less
than from 5000 to COCO peo-
pie, most Of whom were negroes.
The occasion was the public hang
ing Of George Jones, the rapist,
the particulars Of whose crime
have been already told through
these columns. For several DAYS
prior to the hanging, countless
rumors had flooded our town TO
the effect that the negroes were
busily organizing in several coun-
ties around for the purpose Of
making a dash upon the officers
with view Of liberating the pris-
oner upon the day Of execu-
!
ton. That such an organization
was attempted there seems now
to be little doubt The May
or and Sheriff telegraphed the
tactssin the case to the Governor,
who ct once ordered the military
from Albany to Dawson for the
purpose Of assisting the Mayor, If
necessary, III maintaining peace.
There seems to have been very
little apprehension upon the part
of any one in our town as to dan
ger, but all thought it advisable
to have the presence OF the mill
tary in order to prevent the posi-
billty Of trouble. The two com
panies from Albany, under the
command Of Capts. Wolfork and
Wight, boarded the cars on Sun
| day nioht at 9 O'clock and +ala-
graphed that they would be in
Dawson at Ii o'clock. An escort
repaired to the depot about the
time the military was expected to
arrive to meet them but to their
disappointment no cars came. The
escort fingered around the depot
until 3 o'clock in the morning
waiting for the delayed train, but
still it came not. The cause Of
delay was not explained until the
arrival Of the 7 O'Clock freight,
which was found to contain the
two companies Of soldiers. It an
pears that the special train upon
which The soldiery left Albany was
wrecked, aad a very bad wreck.
About oae and ahalE miles out
from Albany, when the train had
gotten under good headvay, the
engineer spied an obstruction upon
the track and Immediately piled
the air brakes and reversed his
engine, az the same time jumping
of But it was too late to prevent
the crash. In another instant the
engine had struck the pile OF
stringers and old iron laid across
the track and th4 smash-up was
complete. The engine was badly
damaged as well as the baggage
car and coach which contained the
soldiers. The strange5t and most
miraculous part Of all was that not
a man on board was hurt. Seeing
that their efforts 10 get to Dawson
had been obstructed increased
their apprehension8 and the boys
were more determined to get there
than ever, even il they had 10
walk. They arrived, however, in
good time on the regular freight,
as has already been stated. HAY
ing arrived, the two military com
panie5 from Albany, Joined by the
one in, Dawson, stacked arms in
the court house square and there
remained to await the further
orders OF the mayor and sheriff
In the meantime the town c0ntin-
aed to fill mp with people, the ne
groas largely predominatiug III
numbers. 1t soon became appa-
rent, however, that If any effort to
rescae the prisoner had ever been
seriously contemplated by the ne
gross, the sight Of glittering gun
barrels IN the hands Of determin-
ed soldiers had knocked all their
courage into pie. The negroes
were never more tame, good-na-
turad and submissive them on that
day Indeed, their behavior was
admirable; and, il left to Judge
from their expressions, they were
as determined upon having the
negro George Jones hung as were
the soldiers. About half past ten
0 clock the drums beat, the mill
tary went into line and the battal-
Ion of three companies,un The
command Of Capt. Wolfork, NOV
ed in the direction Of the jail.
After few minutes, the sheriff
appear3I with the prisoner, whose
hands were pinioned from be