The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-10
HUMAN VICTIMS OF HEMP
BOB HILL HANGED AT WARREN
TON FOR KILLING A. s. ROGERS.

His Last Words q Request that the
Brother OF the Murdered Man For
give Him-No Fear OF Death Exhib-
tied by the Condemned-His Neck
Broken by the Fail.
WARRENToN, GA, May 9.-At 1886
o'clock this morning Robert Hill tcolored)
was hanged in the corridor Of the jail at
this place for the murder of A S. Rogers, a
merchant at Camak, on Thursday MORN
ing, Feb. IL last. At noon yesterday Hill
was brought here from Macon, where he
had been placed for fear of lynching the
day after the murder. in charge of Sheriff
7. N. Shurley and deputies. Guards were
placed around the Jail, and relieved every
hour during the night and morning up to
the time Of execution. Hill was perfect
specimen Of manhood. He was six feet
high and weighed 100 pounds, but had an
extremely brutal countenance.
NOT AFRAID OF DEATH.
The fact that he was to hang seemed to
have no effect whatever on him, and he
hardly realized that he had less than twenty
four hours to live.
At 10 $50 O'CLOCK this morning the shackles
WCac NAONhCd On MS iccb, duu ut LOOK MS
stand upon the gallows without the least
tremor or least sign of fear. When asked by
Sheriff Shurley if he was prepared to die
he replied that he thought he was
When asked il he wished to
make any statement he replied
in the negative, but as the sheriff was pull
ing the black cap over his head, and before
he could get it tied, Hill asked If Mr. Rogers
was present, and on being told that he las
ouf 20 IL e. fO~r g..
killing his brother.n
Mr.. Rogers replied that he would try and
do so.
FALL OF TIE TRAP.
After adjusting the moose the sheriff
reached down and cut the rope which held
the trap door in position. Hills neck was
broken by the fall, and at 1851 o'clock he
was pronounced dead by Drs. Phillips and
Rogers. Three minutes later his body was
cut down.
As nothing is known of his family and no
one has claimed the body, 1t will be shipped
to the medical college at Augusta to-mor-
row.
STORY OF THE CRIME.
The history of the crime is as follows:
About 8 o'clock Thursday morning, Feb.
9, 1890, Mr.. Rogers was aroused by the
ringing Of the gong to his cash drawer in
the front of his store. He listened and was
surprised to hear some one in the building.
He crept quietly from his room, which was
located in the rear of the store, and went to
the depot and secured the services of John
Chapman night watchman and operator,
Mr.. BoaUwright, engineer on the freight
train on this road, and Conductor Verdery.
They returned to the store aud quietly sur
rounded it. The burglar, by some
means learned that he was discovered and
crept to the back door, where he had en-
tered, hoping to escape. As he opened the
door he saw Mr.. Rogers standing directly
in front of him on tue ground IN the bright
moonlight. Instantly he thrust his pistol
through the crack and fired. Mr.. Rogers
returned the fire, and again the burglar
fired, this last shot passing through Mr..
Rogers body from right to left. Mr.. Rog-
ers, finding he was shot. tried TO find shelter,
but no sooner than he moved his position
the burglar dashed out the door and made
off down through field. He was pursued
by Mr.. Chapman and caught after a chase
oftwo hundred yards.
CAPTURE OF THE NEGRO.
Mr.. Chapman related a thrilling story of
the capture of the negro. When he laid
hands upon him the negro turned and fired,
but fortunately for the pursuer he was close
enough to save himself by knocking the
pistol up just as it fired, and the ball passed
over his head. He then grappled with the
negro, who was trying to shoot again. He
was unarmed, having nothing but a rock,
which he used with telling effect. Chapman
pushed the pistol from the negro's hand,
but instantly he drew a long knife and
made swipe at him, but missed again.
Again Chapman brought hlsa rock into
play and sent the knife whirling
from the negro's hands. Tee two
then embraced, and fortunately for the
pluclSy Chapman he fell on top when they
went down. He held the negro down until
Verdery and Boatwright came up, and TO-
gether the three marshaled him back. He
was brought here and lodged in Jail. The
next morning Sheriff Shnrley, hearing somo
talk Of lynching carried him over to Macon
for safe keeping. Tuesday, April 8. the
negro was brought over for trial and SEN
fenced to be hanged on May o.