Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-04-16

Of the letters, in text forming the title, and on
the opposite side few words of print. 1t was
impossible to identify the paper by the small
fragment of print, and Major Hart imposed upon
himself the task of instituting enquiry and ex-
animation at Bullock's Creek postoffice. where
all the suspected persons received their mail ;
but no paper corresponding with this fragment
was taken at that Office. Hajor Hart hoped that
it might prove a clew to establish Crawford 8
innocence, in which Crawford then so vehement
ly protested yet if it fastened the guilt upon
Crawford it could not be helped. Crawford heard
this story with some degree Of satisfaction, it
being the first intimation he had of it. He did
did not remember, ifhe ever knew, what kind Of
paper he used in charging his gun.
Rev. j. E. Covington, pastor OF the Baptist
Church, next visited the prisoner The scene
on this occasion was impressive. The divine
spoke earnestly and solemnly to the condemned
man, warning him of the consequences OF enter
ing upon the next life without leaving full
confession of his crime. He replied that he had
long since confessed it to God, and had already
acknowledged it to man. He reiterated his con-
fession of guilt and said that the acknowledge
ment of it there that morning had relieved his
mind of great burden. Regarding his prepa-
ration for death he spoke encouragingly and
intelligently, repeating passages OF the Scrip
lures in exemplifcation of his faith and hope in
a full atonement of his sins. The minister then
offered fervent prayer in behalf Of the prisoner.
A large number of colored people had assem-
bled in the. street in front of the Jail, and in
order to crafty their curiosity, whether morbid
or otherwise, the Sheriff permitted all who de-
sired to pass up and see the prisoner. 1t is safe
to saw that all availed themselves of this oppor-
tunity. Several persons held conversations with
him as the morning advanced and to one party,
in speaking of the murder, he said it was in
stigated by Giles Good and the reason assigned
was that Ellison Sanders had joined the Demo-
cratic club.
AS the hour for the execution Of the sentence
approached, Rev. Scipio Green and a few colored
men again repaired to the cell and conducted
religious devotions by singing and prayer. Az
about Is minutes after IL o'clock the Sherlf led
the prisoner into the room containing the scat
fold-in the northeast corner on the third moor.
The room and corridor were comfortably hlled
with persons, white and colored, who had been
admitted by the Sheriff The doomed man as
cended the scaffold with firm step, and on
being told by the Sheriff that he could speak
what he had to say, without visible tremor OF
voice or muscle he then said that for the Sheris s
consolation he would speak. The Sheriff had
Often ONAAS'S
that he had executed the death penalty on all
innocent man, and "you are not hanging one
innocent of the charge; 1 am guilty of the
charge" He said no more in reference to the
crime and from the scaffold said nothing i'm
plicating any other person. He merely thanked
the Sheriff for the kind treatment he had receiv-
ed at his hands while in Jail:
A hymn was sung, Rev. Scipio Green offered
up a prayer the arms and feet of the culprit
were pinioned, the black cap was drawn over
the face, the moose adjusted, and at 26s minutes
after II o'clock the cord sustaining the fatal trap
was cut, and Columbus Cranford's spirit was
launched into eternity. The body was suspended
thirty-three minutes, when DR.. Lindsay, county
physician, and his assistant, DIR. White, pro-
nounced life extinct. Relatives were in waiting
who took charge of the body after it was placed
in the coffin.