The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-23
TRIPLE HANGING
At ROsedale, Bolivar County, Miss,
Willard Hall, Dave Moore and Jake
Graham Die on the Gallows.
The Two Former Negroes, the Lat.
ter a White Man.
The First Hanging Since B. K.
Bruce Was Sheriff.

The First Hanging Since B. X.
Bruce Was Sheriff.
Full Account Of the Crimes OF the
Doomed Men-That OF Graham's
Unusual Crime-His
Confession.
Special Dispatch 10 The Appeal.
RosEDALE, Miss, May 22.-Bolivar coun-
ty INDUCED in triple hanging today,
Willard Hall, Dave Moore and Jake Ora
ham suffering the death penalty at the old
jail, under sentence Of the supreme court,
upon an appeal from the circuit court.
DAVID MOORE
"a was large-limbed negro and
n had killed another negro at a
IA dance. They had been shoot
AH ingcraps and Dave lost 25 cents,
VI which amount he had TO pay
e. else he should not dance. Dave
II went out, but soon returned
~ with pistol, and standing be-
~ hind his victim shot him
n "a through the head. Since his
N Va 'onyiction no has been entirely
"A Indifferent and demonstrated Il
"a IN, csterday. A woman asked him
VIZ II he had religion. lie replied,
"No. After the woman had left he said
that THAT woman wanted me 10 tell a
lie."
WILLARD HALL,
Another OF the subjects Of the laws
avenge was powerful negro, over six feet
In hight and large limbed. While under
the influence OF liquor he shot fifteen
year-old boy who had made sport OF his
condition. lIc had always been excessively
religious, longing for the day OF execution,
that he might so TO meet his God.
JAKE GRAHAM,
the third OF the prisoners, was q young
white man, very slender and OF consump-
tive appearance. He had been raised in
Bolivar county, on Sunilower river, and
was regarded as having rather feeble and
reckless mind.
LaMaster and Hunt, two notorious des-
peradoes, lad been shown 20 DO in q
scheme TO kill Reed and Love, two Of
their neighbors, whom they had unsuc.
These two men lay in wait for Reed at his
fish trap, knowing that he would soon be
along. They had not been ambuscaded
very long when the opportunity 10 accom-
plish their dastardly deed presented itself.
lie was shot at, but only wounded. The
victim OF the conspiracy was ON the OPP
positc side Of the narrow river, 10 the as.
sassins determined 10 meet him at the ford
which he would be compelled 10 cross.
After staying there for some time La
Masters and Hunt went 10 din
nor and left Graham and man
by the name Of Love TO guard tho crossing
meanwhile.
Soon after they had left two men,
named Manning and Turner. rode into the
ford and Graham fred on them, killing
both instantly, one falling into the river,
the other dropping from his horse on the
ground These two men had previously
succeeded IN having an engagement be.
tween Graham and his sweetheart
broken. In order that he might continue
10 press his suit he concluded 10 kill them,
and II 70 resulted.
oRAnAM's confession.
Graham concluded a confession In these
words "Ihe presence Of these two men
after they had succeeded In breaking my
engagement, OF time when my mind was
innamed with liquor and stimulated by
the shooting Of Reed, and the ever irrita.
bic wrong done me abiding in my mind
and believing that they would sooner OF
later take my lie, aroused all the violent
passion Of my nature and made me power.
less 20 resist the awful temptation 10
avcngc my wrong on the guilty heads.
Today's executions were the firsi Bolivar
county has had since Bruce, "a sheriff,
hung Charley Wells, in 1874. when the
colorcd people turned out In mass.
TnE CROWDS PRESENT.
From the earliest hour OF the morning
wagons and bugycs could be heard rolling
into town. and caravans Of horsemen wer,
almost without end. AZ the time set iol
the execution fully ] 900 negroes, equally
divided between men and women, had NJ
somblcd 10 SEQ the doomed men, and I
possible 10 witness the spring OF the trap
The distance from the Jail TO the old cour
house yard Is about fifty yards. and wher
the prisoners were crossed over IL required
a number OF deputies 10 keep the cagcl
multitude back from the way. From the
balcony sheriff Scott allowed the prisoner
TO address the lhrong
Willard Hall spoke first, saying he hat
made his peace with heaven and he wishc,
10 meet them all at the great white throne
that he had already died and been for
given and was today only going home.
Dave Moore declared he was feeling re
markedly well aud wished everyone goo,
luck, and said good bye.
Graham thought his awful fate shout,
act ~ a warning 10 hate, bad habits an'
evil company. On the scafIod the met
were perfectly cool and Indifferent, an'
when the floor went down the tire
hooded spcctes hung almost without