Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-05-19

CHICAGO, May 12.-Zephyr Davis
colored. murderer Of Maggie Gaughan
was hanged in the north corridor Of the
county jail at II 90 this morning. lie
died without a struggle.
The condemned lad was restless during
the night, and toward daylight was given
"A strong opiatc, the effect of which was
manifested in the drowsy appearance
when he arose, and partook of "a hearty
breakfast, and was then clOscted with his
spiritual adviser, Rev. VIM. Henderson,
for several hours. He mounted the scairold
bravcly. A chapter from the Bible was
read by the divine and Davis then Joined
in singing Jesus, Lover of My Soul"
his voice rc-echoing through the corridor.
He knelt and rested his mead upon chair
while ii fcrvcnt prayer was offered in his
behalf and frequently interrupted the
minister with cries of Amen" He then
stood up firm and erect while DR.. Uender-
son read his last statement. in which he
expressed sorrow for all the wrongs he
had committed, including the murder.
and begged pardon of his victims parents.
He said he had found forgiveness from
God and forgiveness from his fellOwmeu.
When the reading was done he stepped
without Il culver to the moose. lie was
quickly pioncd and the shroud and white
cap were adjusted. sheriff Matson raised
his hand and the drop fell. Death was
instantaneous. Between 300 and 500men
witnessed the execution. Greene. the en-
ploycr of both the victim and Dav S, &c
cupying IL front seat.
Davis was negro foreman, employed at
Green Brothers shoe heel factory on State
street. His victim, who was only lC
years Old, was employed at the place. On
the afternoon of the day of the tragedy
her body, terribly mutilated with an AK
was found in the cellar of the establish
ment. What led to the commission OF
the crime is known only Of Davis own
statement. This was TO the effect that
he rcprimanded her for coming late
to work; that she replied with
OpprobriOus epithcts, and that IN q fit Of
rage he struck her down with an iron bar.
Then alarmed at his crime, he hid the
body where it was found. The absence
OF the girl from her accustomed place ON
the day IN question created some com
ment. but Davis remained at work and
failed to betray any signs of nervousness.
In the course OF the afternoon he was
sent on an errand, and, returning on the
cable cars, saw a crowd outside Of The
establishment. Realizing that the body
of his victim had been found, he iled
and took the first train out
Of the city. T~wenty-four hours later
he was captured ut Forest, H., by a spec
ial officer Of the Illinois Central road
When brought back &c the city there was
loud talk of lynching, which was only
appeased by the determination on the
part OF the prosecuting authorities To
bring him TO trial without delay. Or
April !, less than a month after the crime
had been committed, he was found guilty
and sentenced 10 death. The
defense was hereditary insanity. While
sentence was being pronounced he swore
repeatedly at judge llawcS ana after
wards declared that if hc could have
reached the spittoon he woali have
thrown it at the judge before he mad fin
ished his remarks. Since his incarcer
alton he has at times been SO violent that
it has been found necessary to load both
his arms and legs with irons.