Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-06-12
DETAILS OF THE RaNGIK G.
DYING UPON THE SCAFF9LD.
BANKS AND HONESTY HANGED
FOR THE MURDER or
JOSEPH MCPAULL, AT WINCHESTER,
VIRGINIA, NOVEMBER IA,
1884.
From the Winchester Tdmes.l

Tabby Banks and Wesley Hon.
esty paid the penalty of the law for
the crime of numbering Joseph Nc
Fault, by being hanged Friday morn
ing on the gallows erected in the
Jail yard in this city in the presence
Of about Is witnesses, among which
number were the jurors required by
law to certify to the execution, the
officials and the representatives OF
the press. Wesley Honesty was
about six feet tall, slender, but well
developed /; light in color. Banks
was short, dark complexioned and
also very muscular. Both were ne
groes. The criminals spent the last
night on earth before retiring at 10
o'clock in singing and pfseaying,
They slept soundly until 5 O'CLOCK
in the morning, when they arose and
Immediately began to prepare for
the terrible ordeal.
At o'clock, services having been
completed, preparations for the
march to the scaflold was begun.
The death warrant was read to them
Thursday afternoon by City Ser
geant Crebs. The condemned we're
neatly attired, Honesty in black and
Banks in dark suit, City Sergeant
Crebs and deputies Parker and
Hodgson then entered the cell at ten
minutes after nine o'clock and took
charge ofthe prisoners. While they
were being tied Honesty said 81
recken you will take this rope off
when breath leaves the body"
Both then said, 1--WE have DO iil-will
to either Of you, or to anyone the
ministers all the while cheering them
up with words of spiritual comfort.
Before leaving the cell Banks and
Honesty both desired the represent
alive of the press to say to all to
take warning by this and keep out Of
bad company. The parting with
the family of the jailor was sad
and effecting scene. Little Julia,
aged 5, was told to be good little
girl and 60 to Sunday-shool.
The ministers accompanied them
to the foot of the gallows where they
bid them adieu. Both pris oners
stepped firmly up the ten steps and
took their places on the trap. Banks
began to tremble violently, but Hon
esty remained firm. The question
was asked both if they had anything
to say. Honesty said, Il thank God !,
| am converted and am going home
to heaven to rest. No mans blood
rests on my soul. | don't have to
answer for this. | thank Mr.. For
ney and family, ministers and all for
their kindness-good bye Banks
then said: Il am not guilty of what
is put on me. want to meet all my
friends in Heaven. | thank Mr..
Alexander { Note.-Mr. Alexander is
the Commonwealth Attorney, J and
all other friends, Mr.. Forney and
ministers, for their Kindness Their
legs were then pinioned and as the
black caps were put on their heads,
Banks trembling violently but Hon
esty still firm. They both cried
out :-"Good bye; God be with YOU
At Is minutes to 10 o'clock both
were pronounced dead by Drs. VIM
A. Bell and Janney. They were
then lowered into their collins.
Both their necks, upon examination
were found to be broken. Pieces o
the rope were distributed. The
caps were>not removed. The coffir
lids were screwed down and the re
mains were placed in a wagon ant
carried to the colored graveyard ant
inferred. The w. L l Capt. Null
ton commanding, with &c muskets
were on duty from half past eigh
O'Clock. Everything was carried OIL
orderly, and the arrangements wer
perfect in every respect. Grea
credit being due City Sergeant ]. H
Crebs, and his deputies.
THE CRIME FOR WHICH THEY EXPIATEl
ON THE GALLONS.
On Friday night, November l4th
1884, between the hours of 8 and II
O'Clock, soon after the Democratic
procession in honor of the election
of Cleveland and Hendricks had dis
banded; Joseph McFaull, a youth
aged 10, who had been in the EN-
ploy of Heating Bros, tin and stove
dealers, and who was native of Mt
Jackson, while on his way home tc
Mr.. Keating's, with whom he lived
stepped into the alley between Johr
II. Seabright's and William H. Har
dy's on Main street, when he wa!