The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-07-26
HoUST0N'S. LAST WORDS.
THE CONDEMNED MAN FACES DEATH
WITHOUT A aIURMUR.
He Pays the Penalty of His Crime ON the
Gailows.--He Warns Others From
Following in his Footsteps.

He Pays the Penalty of His Crime ON the
GaiIows.-He Warns Others From
Following in his Footsteps.
The execution of William Houston last
Thursday was the third public hanging ever
witnessed il Forsyth county These do not
include the lynching Of Henry Swain about
two years ago. The first execution was
that of Charles Yokely, col, charged with
the murder of his master, Jacob Yokely.
The second was that of Frank Lash, COL,
for the murder of colored man belonging
to ]. G. and T. B. Lash. If we are inform
ed correctly, Yokely paid the penalty of his
| crime upon the gallows in 1857, while Lash
| was executed in 1859.
A gentleman who witnessed the execution
of Y okely and Lash says that neither SEEM
ed to be greatly affected over the manner I'M
which they ended their lives. The number
of people to witness the hanging of these
was estimated at 500-and was at that
time considered large crowd.
WHAT HOUSTON SAID.
On the night previous to Houston's fatal
dav, Messrs. Oscar r. Maliard and Sam
Heee were placed as death watches around
Houston's cell. About ten O'Clock the con-
demned man retired and slept soundly until
two O'Clock when he was awakened by Mr..
Mallard Mr. NJ. informed our reporter
that he conversed with Houston until four
o'clock when he (Houston) again retired
and slept soundly until six o'clock During
the conversation Houston gate brief his
tory of his life in the following manner,
which Mr.. Maliard noted down:
my name is William M. Houston. I
belonged to Joseph A. Houston, now of
Chatham county, who visited me in my cell
on July 9TH was born in Greensboro in
1861 and lived there 10 years. Leaving
Greensboro | went to Reidsville, where |
stayed about six years While in Reds
Vile was arrested, tried and sentenced to
the penitentiary for two years for stealing
$40. This was in 1885 and when my time
was out / came to Winston, which was on
July ID, 1887. Shortly after l reached
tory of Mr.. r. J. Reynolds, where worked
up to the time Twas arrested for the muir
der of Kate Cosby. | don't deny the charge
ofkilling her, yet didn't do it Intentional
". | was drunk at the time. have pro-
fessed religion, made peace with my God,
and believe | will go to Heaven when |
| die. Before / leave this world want to
thank the good people of Winston for their
| hospitality towards Inc while in prison -es-
| peciaIly the ministers OF the gospel. To
| men, women and children, both whit. and
| black, / will say--slon't follow my past life.
| Bad company lntiinean whiskey have caused
me to make Il sacrifice Of my life. Ny last
| words are may the Lord have mercy on
! the world
| During their conversation, Mr.. MallaId
says that Houston entertained belief that
rs some means he hoped to escape the hang
mans Moose, as he thought that the Cover
nor wonld in all likelihood give him a new
/ trial or commute his sentence to lifetime
Imprisonment. But if such was rot done
he was ready and willing to 60.
LEAVING THE JAIL.
At 1850 Thursday morning, Rev H. o
Lacey, the prisoners spiritual ADVISER &C
companied 10y the Tailor, Sheriff and his
Deputy, entered the jail where the first.
named gentleman held prayer with the pris
oner At 1910 these gentlemen, followed
by an immense throng of people, left the
/ Jail with Houston for the scene of execution
4 which was in the northeastern suburbs o
| the city.
/ The galiows was reac!,ed at 1910. The
prisoner, with quick step, assembled th'
scaffold in company with the gentlemen
above alluded TO. After Houston had takeI
his seat, Mr.. Lacey arose and spoke for Il
minutes upon the prisoners past life, etc
In emphatic language, Mr.. Lacey de
nounced the whiskey traffic and condemned
lle practice Of pistol carrying. Said tina
he had been with the prisoner great dea
and believed that he had repentea for all Q
his past sins and was then prepared to NEE
his God lie told his hearers t. take
lesson from iIouston's past wicked life
Is Inch had led him 10 the gallows.
Ir. Lacey. upon the einse Of his addies.
read the Episcopal s.rsise, after Which h
offered aiervsnt prayer. Tie prisoner kne
with his he I'd turied in the chair.
During Mr.. Laoey's address and readin
Houston. viewed the vast tLrons OF peopI
} and would often bow 10 an acquaintance /
would see in the crowd.
When asked ii lie had any request
make, Houston replied that he desired
hear some Of his former associates sin
} William Foster, Dick Thomas and JeI
Carter, three young eolored men were calls
upon the stand when they sang two of tie
old familiar songs. Daring the singin
Houston was seen for the first and only tin
to shed a tear.
/, Houston then arose and uttered the
words: "My friends, all have TO say
Heaven. want you - look ON me as
example To keep yo,l and Others from lei
brought where am. The Lord has Ii
8 compassion and ready to go.''
ST :I5 the Moose was adjusted the pr
I oner himself unbuttened his collar. AT
i the rope had been gotten in readiness, viii
d was a. l.30, his arms and legs We're l1ini.
S ed. The prisoner then uttered his
: words which were Farewell to all of j,
/ friends farewell q want you alto
aud meet me in Heaven. L feel like
i Lord is with ms"
/ The trap was sprung at III when Ho
toms body shot doWnwasds. Three mimi
IS atter the body fell tbs pulse was los;
: six minutes there Vas 20 pulse al tie VIZ
Il and alter seven minutes there was no +
ID ceptibie movement Of the heart. The b,
u was left hanging Is minutes when the
tending physicians pronounced him dc