Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-05
DEAD IN 3 MINUTES.
PAUL KEYS PAYS THE DEATH PENAL
TY FOR HIS HORRIBLE CRIME.
He Values His Body at $500 and BE-
queaths IL To His wife-Iie Asserted
His Innocence to tho Last.
IspecIsI telegram to tho pIspstch.l


FkgDERIcKsBURG, VA, October A--Paui Keys.
the condemned negro ravisher, paid the penalty
Of his crimo on the gsllows to-day At lI;si A. NJ.
In the presence OF about forty people, including
the officers, Of which twenty were special, two
doctors, and the newspsper-meo. Ho was
hanged by City-Sergeant Edrington. Tho exc
cutlon took place in the yard in tho rear OF the
jail, which was enclosed by twentY-toot fenco
and guarded by special police to prevent any
disturbance and 10 protect his execution from
public gaze as required by law. Up 10 a late
hour yesterday evening the condemned man had
hopes of n further respite or commuauOn OF
sentence in view Of the efforts made by his coun-
sci. A. II. Dickinson, who had sent 70 the 1oYer-
nor petition signed by five Of the jury xno con
yicted him and several outside parties lie had
thus far always maintained composed anu
stod demeanor, positively donying DIS guiit
ami believing he would receive communication
OF sentence. In the morning The hev. ]. ".
Canter. Of the Methodist church. administered
10 him the rite OF baptism upon the profession
of his faith Later In the evening his counsei
received the following telegram from Goversor
Lee, aud Immediately visited tho condemned
man aud read II TO him:
NO HOPE.
"RIcuNoSD, VA. october 4, 1854
"a. H. Dickinson, Attorney dt Lar:
II havo received aud most carefully exam
ined all papers submitted asking for Executive
fl"luHutg or tNDiluthtiNh W ctbA'hNV i'A
hoy Ny oath Of Office and duty to the people
aud its proper recognition demand that should
abstain from interfering with tho sentence pro-
nOunced against him. tirzHcSH Lsb
During the reading his heretofore composurc
loft the cOndemded, and he gave way 10 his feel
ings, at times crying bitterly, aud saying be was
prepared 10 90. After he had rallied no madH
statement 10 his counsel H. writing. I'm which he
denied being guilty OF tho charge against hiin
and rejecting on the character Of the mother Ot
the young girl whom he assaulted. His counsel
after procuring bis statement lott Tor hlchmono,
where he presented IL toGoyernor Lee In hopes
Of q short respite.
THE LAST NIGHT.
KEYS retired last night about 10 O'Clock. and for
several hours slept soundly and seemingly un-
mindful Of the fate that awaited him. bat as
morning drew near he became very restless,
awaSening several times. during which he re-
peatei passages OF Scripture and prayed. AZ
o'clock this morning no arose ana ordered ms
breakfast. ut did not eat II. lie became worry
nervous a short timo after arising.
RELIGIOUS DEVOTION.
The Row. Willis Robinson and Rev. j. +. Brown
colored, his spiritual advisers, with his wife,
wero ushcred into his cell and religious services
were conducted until 10 o'clock. during Which
the condemned man prayed and sang. He then
began 90 Dress for his execution, donning n neat
black cutaway coat, blue vost aud trousers, with
a white shirt, high standing collar, and black
silk bow and white gloves. His counsel, vi. n
II. Dickinson, then arrived and read ~ toiiow-
ing Telegram, whicn had boon received up0n ms
return from richmond;
RICHMOND, Va, October g. 1859.
10 4. H. Dickinson:
Cannot change my former decision.
FirzuUGH LEE.
Atthe announcement tho condemned man and
his wife wept bitterly and he giving away 10 tho
most agoni2ing grief
LAST WORDS TO HIS WIFE.
His wife tken asked him II he di NOT havo
something tu say o hor as thi5 wouli be- the last
time he would see her On earth, TO which he re-
II am 700 fun but finally said: "Take caro-
Of yourself II hal taken your advice would
today have been a FREQ mao. They an take
my BODY, but not my soul, AMI shall pray mat
you will meet me above. for know Will be
saved
Sho then bid him gooi-hy and loft
Tho ministers present then hold another short
service. They reminded him Il ms tate all
warned him not 10 leave lhis earth guilty, with
ont making his confession and peace with God.
He then repeated the statomcnt made last night,
saying that II was true, after which he made Ills
! last Will and testament, which Is as follows;
HIS LAST WILL.
~. Paul Koya, MAKE this my la'twil and tcsia-
| ment All my earthly goods give To my wlie,
Melyina Keys. Ny body Il to BE- turned over 10
my said wife, 70 b. disposed Of by ner A. she
pleases. II she chooses 20 SOIL nay pody, don't
| propose that any one shall have II for less than
| I'VE hundred dollars. ! appoint tho Rev. j. r.
| brown my executor 10 this my last viii and tes-
| tament.
"Giyen under my hand and seal this IN day. Of
| October. f.s4 PAUL KEYS
! 81. We tho undersigned do hereby cerufy that
/ We we're present when the testatOr signod tho
foregoing paper, and say /! was hts last Will ana
| testament
"Given under our hand and sosl this the ith day
! OF October, loSA
| Nv. ". WALKBH,
| w. HAMPTON MERCHANT,
| sMttuesses.n