Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-14
UNDER THE DEATH WATCH
THE NEGRO WHITFIELD TO
HANG NEXT MONTH.

THE NEGRO WHITFIELD 10
HANG NEXT MONTH.
The Crime of which He il Convicted
The Scene in the Court Room During
the Reading of the Sentenee-The
Judge Addresses the Condemned Man
with the Black Cap on His Head
WhItfeId's Only Hope in the Supreme
Court
The negro Whitfield, alias Ryals, con-
victed Of arson, in attempting to burn the
residence Of F. A. Exley, on Margaret
street, on the 18th of last month, was
arraIgned in the Superior Court yester-
day for sentence, and was condemned to
be hung on March -.
The court room was crowded as soon
as il became known that the sentence
would be passed. The gallery was packed
and the corridors of the court house
were filed with curious spectators wait
ing 10 catch a glimpse Of the prisoner as
be was brought in. At IL O'Clock
COnstables Smith and Mendel arrived.
Whitfield, closely handcufed, walked be-
tween them. and followed by curious
crowd. walked without faltering into the
court room. AS he entered the dock the
handouts were removed, and upon being
hidden he stood erect and firm and With
out a semblance Of fear awaited the de-
cree. He is a mulattO of medium height.
with shiny, beardless face, deep set
eyes and head indicating, if anything,
lack Of balance, though he is by no means
wanting in intelligence.
After a few moments delay, in which
the officers Of the court were quietly ar
ranged, Judge Adams turned to the pris-
Oner and said. sHenry Whitfield. alias
Whitfield Ryals, alias Joe Ryals, stand
up"
The prisoner arose and the Judge
continued: "YOu were Indicted
for the Offense of arsOn-setting fire to a
dwelling house in a city. You were IN
able TO employ counsel, and the Court as
signed to your defense two able and ex-
perienced members Of this bar. The evil
dence as to your guilt was clear and con-
elusive. But a minute before the discOv-
erv Of the Ire you were observed near the
scene Of the crime. The next morning,
when arrested, your clothing was satu-
rated with kerosene. and kerosene was
used in the kindling Of this fire. To sew
eral persons and on different occasions,
you made free and voluntary confessions
OF your guilt. No conclusion was posi-
bic other than verdict Of guilty. Ii Is
terrible crime. tits a terrible penalty
death. Had not a timely discovery trus-
trated your purpose, who can tell what
might have been the consequences! This
dwelling destroyed its inmates, perchance
who slept in fancied security, sacrificed
To the cruel flames, Nor might the raw
ages of the cOnflagratiOn have STOPPED
there. The incendiary. who, shielded by
the shades of night, applies the torch 10
dwelling in pOpulOus city, is an enemy
Of mankind. whose heart IS full OF pas
sions as malignant, as cruel, as remOrse-
less as the flames Of the furious fire.
alt now remains for the Court 10 pro-
nOunce the sentence oil the law. If you
have aught to say, II you have aught to
urge why this sentence should not be pro-
noUuced, you have t5e opportunity to
make your statement now. lt Is proper
for me to say, that, ia my opinion. you
have not the slightest ground to hope that
your doom may be aYeTted. No earthly
power will intervene TO save you from the
penalty of your crime. LOOK not to any
human instrumentality. Seek divine aid
Your time on earth is short. Apply
il, apply 1t diligently for the bene-
fit of your soul. Apply 1t,
apply it diligently in preparation for the
end that surely will soon come. With
humble and cOntrite heart seek pardon
aud mercy of the great God, who holds IN
His hand the destinieS OF men and worlds.
seek forgiveness Of Him, who turned not
who Will hearken to the prayers
OF the penitent, however lOwly he may
be. And may He in His infinite grace
and mercy sustain you in the terrible or
deal through which you are soon 20 pass
and save your eternal sOul!'
The Judge then assumed the black
cap and slowly read the sentence.
Whitfield stood in the dock unmoVed and
UncOncerned. and listened inditferenly,
q : rhon IN IL rra~p 0f no SLIGHTEST lnfhFnsf
% him. The sentence was that the pris-
Ouer be hung un the gallOws IN the Jail
yard between and > O'Clock on Friday,
March -. the execution, the Judge dl-
rccted. should toe private, and witnessed
only by the eXecuuOner. a guard. me at
tending physicians, the relatives Of ths
condemned man, and such clergymen and
friends as he might desire. In concluding
the sentence the Judge uttered the usual
invocation. "Aud may the Lord have
mercy on your sOul.'
AS soon as the sentence was concluded
Whitfield was again handcuted and led
out OF the dock by the cOnstSbles and re-
turned TO jail. where he Will remain until
his execution. He manifested not the
slightest trepidatiOn. and although appar-
entity realizing his condition. he did not
seem to comprehend the form of death
which awaits him. At the Jail be walked
into his cell and lay down upon his cot as
cOntentedly as though Il were his home.
The prisoners counsel VIII probably
take the case 10 the Supreme Court for
review, in which event a supercedeas
staying the execution will be ordered by
the court until the higher court has de-
liYered its opinion. 1t was reported
about last night that Whitfield for some
time had the reputation of being deficient
in mental balance, and that he had at
various times acted like 4 man who was
an imbecile, A few years ago it IS safd
ne made his appearance on the street in
broad daylight with scarcely any clothing
on his person. These and similar freaks
were accounted for upon the hypothesis
that the man was at times affected by
luuacy. Whether this VIII be urged in
his behalf is unknown.