The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-16
THE SOLDIERS COME BACK.
DETACHMENT FROM The FIRST
REGIMENT.

military Conduct Murderer Phillips to
His Doom-Troubies About Rope ana
Hations-Bau to the Bows which They
Did Not Attend. i
The military boys that were sent from
Richmond by Governor Mckinney to pre-
vent Philips. the Mecklenhurg murderer
from being lynched yesterday, have arrived
at home safe and sound, with the loss Of
sleep the only complaint. They left here
Thursday morning ut o:l5 O'Clock, under
command Of Captain Grey BossieuN,
and arrived AZ Petersburg Mt 1920
O'Clock. Captain BossieuN at once re-
norted 70 sheriff Jones, Of Neck
lenburg. who was ut the Petersburg jail,
who handcuied his prisoner, and had a
thick strap put around his waist. On
either side of the strap was an end, ana 10
these deputv-sherifis held. The doomed
man was placed in the middle OF tue COM
many, the deputy shcrlil5 on either slde, ana
Sheriff Jones and his bondsman IN the rear.
\ fife and drum had been procured IN the
meantime. and to their music the prisoner
was marched 10 the depot from the jail.
They left Petersburg at 3:ij for Belleiield,
i'm Greeneylle county, arriving there al
5:2OP. NJ. There they waited for the tram
for Boydton until half-past | O'Clock IN the
morning.
HE CONFESSED.
on the train Philips confessed that he
killed overly, but said that he did II IN
self-defense. He asked some OF the soldiers
to sing him hymn. which they ana. several
being sung. The soldiers also shared their
I IA la. don't 90
sheriff having made no provision lOr the
feeding OF Philips. At Belliield they were
Joined by the sherns and deputies from sur
rounding counties.
At 80 oclocl. in the morning Philips
was started on his last earthly ride. Othei
hymns were sung. the rations were again
brought out. and the boys kept up con-
tinual How Of conversation so as 10 Keep
awake. A quarter to five, and Just a, DAY
was breaking the train pulled INTO BoldiOn.
in Meckleuburg county. More Sheriiis ana
DEPUTIES greeted the incoming train, and
when the Jail was reached the party mum
bered a. follows: Military, four sheriils'
nine deputy sherins -four from BOydtOn)
bOnd,man and the prisoner. As soon rs lhe
iail was reached, and coffee had been served
10 the military. preparations for the cNccu-
ton were begun. The rope was
injured for, but it was found that
sheriff Jones had forgotten to get one. one
Of the sherins in attendance, however hau
brought along "a tar rope, ana II was ue,
cided 10 use il. IL had 10 be creased, ana
another wait was then occasiOncd by the
sending Of some one for tallOw. The latter
article having been procured. small ropes
tO tie Phillips hands and feet were de-
manded. These, like the big rope, were mol
al the iail. and messenger was again sent
out.
MILITARY POSTED.
I'm the mean time the military had been
posted some were stationed on the INSIDE
If the Jail. near the entrance, ana away rom
execution: some on the outside. al the en-
trance. and the rest on the courthouse
green. about "A block from the JAN. Lieu
tenant Gibbs acted as gate-kecper, ana loon
up thirty-hye admission tickets that had
been issued 10y the sheriff 10 spectators
Jurors. &c.
Phillips was about 90 be brought from the
cell. when another article was found mis-
sng-the black cap. This the sheriff liad
left at home. aud nothing remained bul lhal
be should 20 after il. When he returned the
gatekecper posted some of his men i'm front
of tine gate. and declared that no one would
be admitted nor let out until IhllIp7 hau
been hung.
sheriff Lee. Of Grcensyilie county, per-
formed the execution. The sheriff OF Neck
lenbure county, il was believed. was unable
10 do IT, 1t was at first decided that there
should be a drop of eight feet, but after rea-
-oning il was decided that four feet was
enough.
At 1913 the trap was sprung, ana the
murderer was allowed 10 hang tWenty-se|en
minutes before me WAS cut down. lie was,
90 be sure, pronounced dead, and the bod.
turned over TO the proper authorities.
THE CROWD.
During the execution about two hundred
and fifty people assembled outside OF the
| iail. nut no disturbance of any nature 0c-
Cured. After the hanging the military had
dinner. during which the sherii- announced
Dtat "A ball would be given last nlght IN
! Boydton i'm their honor. The sheriff of Neck
| lenburz stated that he earnestly hoped the
military would stay and attend. rs large
crowd was invited and a grand time looked
| for
The military declined, however, and len
IN their return trip al ll:4l, arriving here
at G.2OP. NJ. The people OF Boydton were
very hispitable To- them. and expressed
themsclyc, a. being well pleased To see the
soldiers. as they anticipated trouble from
| the negroes.
The soldiers when they arrived were
pretty well worn out. they getting no sleep
| last night, and travelling almost all the
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