Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-27
SCRIVEN AT THE GIBBET.
1000 PEOPLE WITNESS THE
HANGING OF mccoy.


The Murdersris Neck Broken by the
Fan and Death Apparently Painless
The Story OF His COwardIy Crime
Other Grimes Expiated in the Moose.
SYLVANIA, GA, June 26.--Rohert Nc
Coy, negro, was hanged here to-day in
the presence of over 1000 people. This
was the first hanging that had taken
place in scriven county since 1860, and it
seemed as il almost the entire male popu-
lation had turned out to see this willful
murderer eXpiate his crime upon the gal
lows. About IL O'Clock Sheriff X. I.
Mills entered the Jail with a guard to
bring the prisoner forth. Mccoy was "A
dark mulatto of medium size and SEEM
mgly about 80 years old. When upon the
gHll0ws he requested that a negro
preacher come up and hold prayer
with him. This was done, and
hymn was sung by the colored people
present. The death warrant was then
read by the Sheriff and after that, when
asked If he had anything TO say, he stated
that he was ready TO no, that he had for
gwen all those who hated him and that
he believed that God would take him
home. He said also that he didn't slip up
behind Miller and strike bim as was
charged against him. He appeared 10 be
moderately calm and was praying to the
last. The cap being adjusted over his
head by the Sheriff and all things being
ready, the prop WAS Ierked out IN AN in
stant and the negro shot five feet below,
his neck being broken by the fall. There
were slight commissions OF the body for a
few minutes and then all was quiet The
work Of death was done aud justice could
ask no more, for the murder OF Jim Miller
was fully avenged. AT nine minutes
after the fall Dr.. Douglass pronounced
Mccoy dead, his pulse having ceased to
beat.
M'COY's CRIME.
Mccoy could show, it is said, as bril-
liant a record in the way of criminal re-
nown as anyone OF his age In the land.
He was a Carolina negro, and it was To
avoid the consequences of some dark act
committed there that be "crossed the
river and rested safely for while IN the
bounds of this county. The unfortunate
victim TO his designs was James Miller,
a brave and promising young man living
in the neighborhood OF Rocky Ford on the
Central Railroad. Mr. Miller was a con-
stable In the Eightleth district in this
county, and warrant had been placed
in his hands for the arrest of Mccoy.
Some time previous to his death ne had
some way he had managed TO escape. On
the afternoon of Nov. 20, 1884, Miller rode
up TO the store of George Heard at Rocky
Ford, and hitching his horse, went in and
talked for a short while with James New
ton, the clerk. In the course OF few
minutes Miller had occasion to 60 out
back OF the store.
TWO HEAVY BLOWS HEARD.
Very soon after Mr.. Newton heard two
heavy blows aud grOan issue from the
rear OF the house. fastening there be
found Miller lying upon the ground bleed
ing prOfusely from two ugly wounds In
the head, and Mccoy running through
the woods about forty yards away. Mr..
Newton fired at the fleeing negro twice,
but neither shot took effect. BY the side
OF the wounded man was found heavy
white pine board with blood upon IL. This
board was introduced as evidence at the
trial, and DIR. Alex. Mathews, the attend
ing physician, swOre, that IN his opinion
the wounds on Mr.. Mille's head we're
made with that board, that 10 was a
weapon likely to produce death. and that
owing TO the nature of the wounds the
blows must necessarily have been struck
from behind. Mr., Miller was unconscious
most of the time until his death, which
occurred that night, and never said any
thing in regard TO who struck him. The
murderer was captured next day, and APP
peared quite surprised when told that he
had killed Mr.. Miller. He has never
denied striking the deceased, but
said that be did 1t In self-defense,
and that he didn't mean 10 lull
him. The prisoner seemed 10 take
the affair unc0ncernedly up to the time Of
the trial. When making his statement 20
the jury, however, his voice was exceed
ingly tremulOus. When Judge Carswell
passed sentence Of death upon him he
betrayed no signs Of emotion, but sitting
down looked intently before him for
many minutes, as If he were gazing deeply
into the dark and hopeless future that lay
before him. Recently he has talked but
little, and at all times seemed wrapped IN
reyerie. He was apparently about 30
years OF age.