Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1885-10-29
Hanged i'm Walton.
Bill m,Gaugney Takes the Rope Route.


or two after the death sentence Was
pronounced on McGaughey he was
taken to Fulton county Jail for safe
Keeping. There he remained until
the 18th, when he was brought back
by Sheriffs Knight and NOVEL;. All
along the road he sang sacred songs
and talked of the goodness of God in
pardoning his sins. A large crowd
met him at the depot. He came from
the cars smoking a cigar and spoke
cheerfully to every one be knew.
Back in Jair.
At the Jail door he stopped and
said: "My Lord, have l got to stay
in that place all night and fight lice
by myself"
He sent several messages at once
to B. S. Walker 10 come to the Jail
to see him. When he went Bill asked
him in the most imploring manner to
telegraph Marse Henry (meaning Gov.
McDaniel,) to give him few more
days. When told this would do no
good he seemed to give up and asked
Mr.. Walker to send word to his sis
ter, who lives in Gainesville, to come
to his hanging and take his body
away and not let the doctors get him.
He said he had rather the buzzards
would gel him than for the doctors
to cut him up.
Quite number of colored people
called to see him during the evening,
to all of whom he said he was ready
to die; that his Gins had all been for
given, and warned them to do better.
BE asked to see the rope with which
he was to be hung. He examined it
closely and said he thought it would
hold him. He said he didn't want
any failure in the work, but wanted
to get through with it quick He ate
hearty dinner, supper and break
fast, and slept we'll at night.
On the Gallows.
By eight o'clock the town began to
6ll with people from all the eurround-
ing counties, and by ten o'clock the
streets looked like a fourth of July
in Atlanta. The train from Gaines
Vile came in at nine o'clock crowded
with men, whose shouts as the train
moved through the streets, could have
been heard for mile. Promptly at
half past eleven tt Walton Guards
marched from y nory with shin
ing bayonets y. f oceeded to the
lsil. In a few moments the long pro-
cession began to move. The priponer
rode in spring wagon, riding on his
coffin. He was securely tied and
Deputy Sheriff Knight sat at his
back. Such surging mass Of hu.
manity as followed the wagon is rare.
ly seen. Three times within the last
three years Mr.. Albert Herring, who
Owns the team, has taken criminals to
the same gallows in the same wagon
I'D with the same horses. The gal
is situated in the northern sub;
urbSof the town, and is we'll boxed
up by high plank enclosure twenty
FIVE feet high. 1t is impossible to
peep through as every crack has been
securely stopped. McGaughey had
but little to say on way to gallows,
telling every one he was ready.
At the gallows he stood up in the
wagon, showing not the least sign OF
fear. He spoke in a rambling man
ner.
II want you all to meet me in
heaven. Raise your children right.
Never marry base woman. You
see what one has brought me to. Be
sure the woman loves you before you
marry her. GOO has pardoned my
sins. I am ready and willing to die. ;"
A cololed minister prayed and they
sang the hymn " Why should 1 die p
The prisoner joined in the song and
his voice was heard above all others.
He got out Of the wagon and climbed
to the scaffold without any help.
He Goes Down.
he said nothing after the rope was
placed around his neck, except:
"That is good rope. 1 am ready"
Deputy Sheriff knight pulled the
trap and the prisoner fell seven feet
and four inches. he was pronounced
dead in twenty minutes by several
physicians who were present. His
body was given to the coroner, who
turned it over to the brothcr-in-law.
Four thousand people were in town,
one-third women. Apple wagons from
beyond the Blue Ridge came to the
hanging.
The Story of the Crime.
This is the third hanging in this
county within the last two years.
Each of the criminals were colored
men, and were hardened wretches
who we'll deserved their fate. On the
18th Of February of this year Bill
McGauhey and his wife, who lived in
a cabin in Monroe, became involved
in quarrel about leaving Monroe
and moving to Gainesville. Bill had
said previously that he would kill hia
wife unless she consented to go with
him to Gainesville. He was Jealous
Of other men here, and wanted to get
her beyond their reach. The day Of
the murder he went to his home, closed
the door and demanded that his wife
consent to go with him to Gainesville.
She refused, and he struck her a Ter
rible blow on The head with ali axe,
which knocked her senseless on the
floor. He then cut two fearful cash
en- on either side of her neck with a
razor, and with the same inst; t;ument
inflicted two dreadful wounds in her
breast. lie then cut two small cash.
es on his own neck, and left the house,
telling those be met that his wife cut
him frat and then he cut her. She
fingered for two weeks and died. Bill
was tried in August, the above facts
were proven and the jury within
few minutes brought in verdict Of
guilty without recommendation, and
the Judge sentenced him to be hung
- an 4La 1GIL of 0atoka,.