Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-06-11
A DOUBLE EXECUTION,


| WINCHESTER, Va, June l.
Wesley Honesty and Tabby Banks,
both colored, were hung in the jail
yard here today for the murder of
Joseph Mcl'aul, white.
Banks and honestly retired about
1890 o'clock last night, slept well,
arose at five O'Clock. They ate a
hearty breakfast Of ham, eggs, cake,
and pie. The religious services
began at eight o'clock in the cell.
Those present were Rev. j. Il.
Hyde, OF the VI. T.. Church South,
their spiritual adviser Rev. $. l..
WhitmOrc, of the Reformed
Church; Rev. Mr.. KoOntz, of the
VI. J.. Church Mr.. T.. j. Evans
and Capt, Denton. of the Salvation
Army. Services lasted one hour.
and sacrament was administered
The criminals sang loudly and en-
tered into the services with great
fervOr.
The parting scene with the jailer
and family was a sad one. The
march was then begun to the scat
fold, ministers and officials attend
ing the condemned men. AS soon
as the scallold was reached they
both mounted firmly up the ten
steps and took their places on the
trap. Banks began to tremble vio-
lently, but Honesty remained firm.
The hymn was then sung, "There
is Light in the Valley" the pris-
oners singing loudly. When asked
what they had to say, Honesty
SAID 81 thank God / am convert
ed. ! am going home to Heaven.
No mans blood rests on my soul.
| have not to answer for it. |
thank all the officers and ministers
for their kindness"
Banks said 81 am not guilty of
what is put on me ] want to meet
all my friends in Heaven Their
limbs were then tied and black
caps drawn over their heads. Both
cried ont IN a loud voice, "GOod-
bye God be with You ALL
Sergeant Crebs, who was in q
cell opposite the gallows, sprung
the trap by pulling "A wire. The
time was 22 minutes after Q. They
plunged through to within three
feet Of the ground. Banks's limbs
were drawn up five times and Hon
esty'S twice.
AT fifteen minutes Of ten the
physicians, Drs. W. 4. Bell and
Janney, pronounced them dead.
Upon being lowered into the coffin
their necks were found to be brok-
EN-. The Winchester Light Infan-
try, Capt. Mutton, guarded the Jail.
There were only about - specta-
tors present.
The ministers all say they never
had such exhibitions Of thorough
conversion, self.rcliance and total
absence from fear of death in their
religious experiences. The dying
injunction Of the men to their as
socrates through the representa-
tive Of the press, was to take warn
ing and keep ont Of bad company.
The particulars of the crime,
briefly stated, for which Tabby
Banks and Wesley Honesty were
executed are as follows \ pro-
cession celebrating the election Of
Cleveland and Hendricks came off
on Friday night, Nov. If, 1854.
Banks and Honesty, two full.grown
and powerful negroes, trayersed
the route, threatening to kill some
democrat. Joseph McFaul, n white
youth OF Is years, of kindly dis
position and much respected, while
on his way home from the demon
stration stepped into the alley OPP
posite the Taylor Hotel. Banks
and Honesty, who were in the same
alley, immediately attacked him.
The evidence showed that McFaul
had nothing but a small walking
cane to defend himself with, and as
he was pressed, told them to keep
their distance. Several witnesses
were passing at the time. One of
them took McFaul by the arm and
led him ont on the pavement, some
ten or fifteen steps. The negroes
following, rushed upon McFaul,
Honesty, cOllaring him, pushed
him up against the house. Banks
cried out, "Stick to him, Wes."
Honesty drew back and with rock
struck McFaul with great force
near the left temple. AS lie reeIed
and staggered across the street,
Banks threw at him, hitting HIM in
the side. Mcl'aul went home to
Mr.. William Keating's, being in
the employ of Heating Bros, and
retired. He occupied the same
bed with Mr.. Green, teacher in the
Catholic parochlal school in this
city. During the night he died.
\ post norton being held, it was !
discovered that his skull was frac- |
turcd. Banks was tried first at |
the December, 1881, term Of the |
Corporation Court ; the jury, after
being out - minutes, rendered a /
verdict Of murder in first degree.
The case was appealed. Honesty |
was tiled in January, 1885 jury |
and was discharged. A
Staunton jury being summond |
another trial was had, resulting in
This case was also APP
pealed, but the Court Of Appeals
rpfuSp1 bofn now trials