The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-22
EVANSPAYSTHEPENALTY
n. j. BUTTONS SLAYER HANGED
AT STATESBORO.

He Confesses His Crime, and Warns
the Witnesses of His Execution TO
Beware of Strong Drink and Of It's
The Trouble That Cost
Evans His Life-Quick Justics Melted
Out.
Alopzo Evans CcoloreG), was hanged ar
Statesboro yesterday a. noon, for the MUIR
der OF H. J. Dutton, a young white man,
at Hodges still, in Bulloch county, June %,
1889.
After the killing of Dutton, Evans escaped
and went TO South Carolina. He drifted
back to Savannah during the summer. and
from here to Fraziers still in Liberty
county, where he was captured by Deputy
sheriff He1dry of Liberty county in Sep
TENDER. He was lodged in Jail in Savannah
until Oct. %, on account of fears
that he would be lynched il carried
TO Bulloch. lie was taken TO Bulloch Oct.
70 for trial at the regular term Of superior
court; was convicted Oct. % and sentenced
TO be hanged yesterday.
EVANS CONFESSION.
A MORNING News reporter was at the
hanging. Between three and four thou
sand people were in town, and the large
crowd was quiet and well behaved. Evans
was kept in a room of the court house
chained. and guarded by NJ. S. Scarboro.
a. T. Williamson and J. 7. DeLoach. he
said be bad made his peace with God
and was prepared TO die. He confessed the
crime as sworn to by the witnesses, and
said he thought MIR. Dutton drew pistol,
but he did not see it. When arrested 10
Liberty county he had two bones re-
semblinc human bones, but would not say
Aa haf mi a
them 10 him. He refused to give the name
of the man or for what purpose be carried
them
Evans was about rs years old, and was
born in Scriven county, where his parents |
still live. He could read and write, and |
was fairly intelligent negro.
ADVICE TO HIS FRIENDs.
He was member Of the Methodist church |
and became strongly religious after his |
conviction. He had his Testament with him, |
aud referred to it frequently. He bestowed |
the Testament upon his nephew, writing his |
name upon the fly leaf with the inscription, |
miles Andrew Jackson Evans, his book, a /
present by Alonzo Evans
Several of Evans relatives and friends
called upon him during the morning, and he
advised them TO pray and get forgiveness
for their sins. cautiOning them Rgains5
drinking and gambling. He read the eighth |
verse, twenty-first chapter of Revelations,
and lectured on burning hell which he
prophesied for all who did not repent. He |
was not at all excited, tut was cool and
collected.
THE FINAL INTERVIEWS.
Rev. A. b. Fish (colored) called on him at
1880 o'clock and converse1 with him upon |
his future prospects. Evans said he had no
fear and was willing 10 die. There was a
very affecting scene when Evans cousin,
q a. IL - E-1l
his neck ana advised him to give up all |
hope. Both shed tears. Evans told her to
tell everybody to meet him in heaven. He
sent some papers and 81 in money to his
father
At 11:10 o'clock Evans was taken from
the court house under a strong guard and
was marched to the gallows, which was
erected near the new Jail. At IL 20 o'clock
he mounted the stand between the sheriff
and his deputy.
THE SCENE AT THE GALLONS.
Rev. Fish gave out song, sand Am /
Born to Die. in which the prisoner joined |
heartily. After the song Rev. Fish
prayed and Evans seemed to be
PRAYER ps 'r shsr % SRgnsHn gave n silent S%
five minutes to talk. Evans spoke in low,
trembling voice. He said II want you ali
to meet me heaven" He cautioned all |
against gambling and drinking. He said
he wanted his body buried in Charlestown
cemetery in Scriven county. by the side of
bis grandmother. He did not
speak of his crime He talked |
about five minutes and then knelt
in silent prayer. He asked for drink of
water, after taking which he continued |
praying while the black cap was being |
drawn over his head He was praying |
when the drop fell at II: "A. The drop did |
not break. his neck and he died from
stranguiation. Life was pronounced extinct |
III twenty-one minutes.
The killing of Dutton was considered ut
terly unjustifable and causeless, and the |
people of Bulloch county were intensely |
worked up over the crime. Had Evans |
been caught he would probably have been
lynched.