Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-16
NORRIS IN THE MOOSE.
HARRISON County's Murderer Meets
His Fate with Bold Front.

HARRISON COunty'S Murderer meets
His Fate with Bold Front.
BUCHANAN, GA, Oct. 15.-Norris, the
murderer, was hanged here to-day in the
presence of several hundred spectators
who, in many instances, had Travelled
long distances TO witness the hideous
spectacle. Norris gave the guards who
escorted him from his cell to Toe gibbet
no trouble whatever, and mounted the
gallOws with the indifference TO
his impending fate which had
characterized his conduct since
it became evident that he must yield
mis- life In expistion of his crime. After
the last rites customary on such occa-
sions the trap was sprung and the body
moment later was dangling in the air.
Beyond the usual twitcning OF the limbs
and musces there was no evidence that
death was painful.
At the last July term of HARRISON Su-
perior Court Henry n orris3wss tried and
found guilty Of murder, and sentenced TO
be publicly hanged Sept. "a, but before
that time arrived Gov. Mcdaniel respited
him until to-day, in order that time might
be had for investigating the condition OF
bis mind. Many OF HARRISON county's in
telligent citizens believed the doomed
man to be insane and irresponsible for his
acts, and alter the order was issued they
had hopes that competent physicians
would ne sent and decide upon the ques-
ton. Two days ago the Sheriff received
q communication from the Governor
stating that he had carefully examined
the evidence, aud refused TO Interfere fur
Their with the sentence OF the court.
THE CRIME.
There was apparently no motive for the
xii NIX. the circumstances OF which were
OF the most brutal nature.
TN March 2, last Henry Norris,
George Elliott and dozen or
more other men were working on the pub
C r All five or six miles east OF this place.
Norris and Elliott were working near
eAcn other, Norris with q hoe and Elliott
with q Iong-handled shovel. 1t was early
in the morning. All the road hands had
not arrived. All at once without any
words or warning whatever Norris began
sinking Elliott on the mead with mis- hoe.
he looked back a. the other men with the
most iendisE glare in his eyes as be con-
tinued TO strike until his hoe was bent
and the handle broken, when be picked up
the shovel with which Elliott had been
working, aud continued TO deal blows till
be had almost buried his victims head in
the mud. and life was extinct. None who
were present Ventured to Interfere.
Norris made no effort what
ever to escape. he was at once
arrested and brought to this place. When
asked why be had killed Elliott he said
about three years ago Elliott asked him
for chew OF tobacco, which he gave to
him, and which Elliott threw away. and
SAID IL was not III - chew, and that on the
day before the homicide he had asked him
ior another chew, which, when given
Oim, ne had thrown away. de said,
"d-n him, l didn't like him much
any how. and am not sorry for what
Daxa. -. 4.
has ever given, or that ne Is known to
have, for committing the horrible crime,
for which ne has never at any time
expressed any remorse or regret.
Tuesday, when the Sheriff told him that
all hope was gone and that he must
bang to-day, he threw up his head
and said: I'D il care" Some one
present asked MIN If he had not rather
stay IN his cell than to be hung. He
answered. mo; I'd rather be hung
than TO be any where without my lib
ertvn
Some one suggested that he had tried
confinement In q cell, but had never tried
banging, and probably If he knew how
had hanging was ne bad rather stay where
ne was than to hang. To this he answered
'it s1erif HOioombe hasn't told lie,
recs On / will know Friday" Some one
asked him il he thought there was any
he'll. He said: "Humph! do | know p
He seemed totally incapable OF comprC-
bending the enormIty OF his act ana ut
terly indifferent as TO mis- impending doom.
Yesterday several persons went TO see
him, one OF whom said ~ him that he
would not be In has place for million
dollars. To this Norris replied, with a
msnacal laugh, that ne would not ex-
change places with any man, no matter
what bis circumstances were.
Twice within the past three years Nor
ris' relatives carried him before the proper
authorities and asked that a writ Of luna
cy be issued and his sanity passed upon.
Each time they have been put OF. Nor
ris affirmed that he was not insane and
that his brothers and attorneys worked
against him all the time. When the time
for his execution was fixed on Sept. "a,
he asked the Judge If he could not set an
earlier day.
This was Norris FIRST act OF Violence
He was about 40 years OF age. Both slain
and slayer were OF humble oirtb. None
OF the relatives OF either are possessed oil
more than ordinary mental ability and ali
are very poor people.