The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-04-06
HE DIED GAME.
jeff Wilson Hanged at Lexington
for the Murder of His
Mistress.
Six Thousand People Present
and Witness the . Ex-
ecutiOn.
The Condemned Man Makes a
Brief Address Before the Vast
Assemblage.
The Rope Too Long and a Sick.
ening Sight Presents
Itself.
A History of the Crime-Wils0n's
COnfessi0n-Other Interest.
ing Points.

Jefferson Wilson, copper-colored negro
of 81 years, was hanged here at ll:03
O'Clock a. m. to-day in the presence of
5000 or 5000 spectators, for the murder of
his mistress, Jennie Sanford, handsome
mulatto woman of % years, on July 81,
1884.
Early this morning hundreds of people
from this and adjoining counties arrived
in the city, and before 9 o'clock the streets
on which the Jail and court house front
were almost impossible, so dense was the
throng. The trains on the Missouri Pa
ci6c road were crowded to their utmost
capacity, and il looked as though every
colored man and woman who could raise
the price of a square meal had come to
town TO witness the execution. The eau
cassian race was also well represented, and
ii is said that many farmers were present
with their wives and little ones, having
driven fifteen or twenty miles in order
that they might be in attendance.
jeff i'm Jail.
Between s and Q o'clock the BAzoo's
representative visited the Jail and through
the courtesy of Sheriff Bowman and his
deputies was granted brief interview with
Wilson. He was found in the cell he had
occupied for the past twenty months and
seemed in cheerful frame of mind. He
was smoking fragrant Havana and said
he was feeling remarkably we'll, consider
ing that he had less than two hours to live.
He was faultlessly attired in dark colored
pants, q white vest from which dangled
gold watch chain, and In addition sported
a smoking cap and toothpick shoes. The
death warrant was read to him last night
by Sheriff Bowman, he said, but as he had
made his peace with his Redeemer he was
not afraid to die. His mother visited him
on Saturday last, but she had not informed
him whether or not she would be present
at the execution. He spoke feelingly of
the kind treatment he had received at the
hands of Sheriff Bowman and the other Of
icials, for which he was under many obi
cations. "The end is drawing rapidly NIGH
he said, "but ] will meet my fate like a
man."
NO SIGNS OF WEAKENING.
Bidding the doomed man farewell, the
BAzoo's correspondent sought Mr.. Samuel
Keller, editor of the Lexington REGISTER,
who renamed throughout last night in
Wilson's company.
HE is the neryiest man | ever saw"
said Mr.. Keller. "He sat up until after
midnight and slept soundly until o'clock
this morning. Early in the evening he
partook of ice cream and cake, and later
along ate square meal of solid food. Not
for single instant did he show signs of
He laughed, talked and ioked
as though he had but few days to serve
as the county's guest, and only when re-
ligious subjects were preached did he be-
come serious. He frequently asserted that
he felt assured God had forgiven his sins, |
for him."
At 10 O'Clock a. m. a guard of forty |
men, in charge of Marshal Owens, many |
Of them armed with shot-guns, formed in |
line on the north side of the Jail, and ten |
minutes later Wilson was led from the
door, accompanied by
HIS SPIRITUAL ADVISERS,
Rev. Dr. Howard and Rev. Saunders, and |
Sheriff Bowman and others. The party
iled down the walk between the guards |
formed on either side, and made their vay
TO an open carriage in waiting. Wilson
vas again smoking cigar, and wore his
smoking cap and a dark blue overcoat.
He presented rather progressing appear
,nce, and as he gazed about him and rec
'gnized old friends he greeted them with a
,ow OF the head or a slight wave of
he hand. So dense:y crowded was the
street that it was with difficulty the car
'iage could make its way, followed by the
guards. Wilson seemed the least con-
'erned of any OF those who occupied the
'ehicle, and many who surmised that he
would falter when the scaffold was reached
Don realized their error.
THE PLACE OF EXECUTION
vas the county macadam yard, on Water
treet, short distance east of Tenth, the
principal street leading to the river. The
ard is usually enclosed by a high. tight
ence, but in order that the scaffoid might
'e seen from all directions the south fence
lad been removed. The point of execu-
ion was at the debouchment of a large
avine, and the hills ascend In either d.
ection, forming an smphitheatre upon a
aagniticent scale, from which 10000 peo-
lie could witness the scene Whilst re-
lred, and not within sight of the windows
4 single residence, il is In the city linn
Is, and but five minutes walk from the
BUSINESS portion of town. The sheriff
ould not have made a more iudicious &C.
ectlon, as was remarked on every hand.
AS the carriage copveyiny
he condemned man made Its way along
lain street, and thence to Tenth,
was followed by two or three thousand
eople, many OF them being women, and
early equally divided between whites and