The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-11
PAID THE PENALTY OF DEATH.
Henry Gusts Hanged in Norfolk for the
Crime OF Murder.
PROTESTED INNOCENCE TO THE LAST.
In Eight Minutes After the Drop Falls He 10
Pronounced Dead by the Physicians'
History Of the Crime.

NORFOLK. Va. Nov. i0.-lSI eciaLl-The eIecu-
ton Of Henry Gusts took place at 1880 to-day.
At an early hour a crowd surrounded the jan
and filled the neighboring house-tops ana tele-
graph poles to witness tho execution. CASTS
did not go TO sleep until about ~ o'clock last
night and woke up about o'clock TINS morning.
lie was very weak and nervous, and 1t looked at
one time as II he would have to be carried TO
| tho scanold lie refused TO eat any breakfast
/ but drank cup 81 coffee. lie WIS trppfed
freely with whisky and drank pint this morn
ing Just before leaving the cell he was given
! a big drink of whisky. and while protesting his
Innocence IN n rambling way. mHch OF ~Nlch
/ had no meaning. the procession started Tor tnc
/ scafOld. rather Brady leading the way, While
! tho two deputies supported the condemned,
Sheriff cromwell ringing up tne rear ,,.zo and
! Gusts was placed on the trap where MS legs
were bound together with stout CORD Inc
rope was adjusted about his neck ana az l2;3l
o clock Deputy-Sherif Anderson read the death
warrant, GUSTS meantime protesting his lnno-
ccnce. The black cap WAS pnllen over tho 1nuf-
derer face by Deputy Silyerson az 1856 o clock
and the trap fell a. 12:57 and Henry GUSTS had
paid the penalty OF the law for the foul crime OF
murder. His neck was broken by the faI which
was four aud one-halt feet and the rope was the
same used IN hanging Coleman.
GUSTS pulse leat for eight minutes ana after
being pronounced dead by tho surgeons. the
body was cut down az 1915 clock ana placed
in plain pine coffin. 10 will be shipped by
Sherif cromwell tomorrow to the University
OF Virginia 20 10 used Tor the benefit OF the
medical students in that institution.
Mono OF GUSTS relatives have been 70 see MN
since his confinement, and very Few others nave
Interested themselves since his last fSh'enesii
IL IS probable that Sheriff Cromwen pulleu
the rope that swung GUSTS into eternity as the
sheriff and each OF his deputies had part OF
the work 20 perform, and all 'rformed their
duty well, there not being the slightest hitch IN
any particular.
HISTORY or THE CRIME.
The crime for which Curtis was executed was
committed the SIN day Of september 1882 III
shortly after midnight. on tho date above
mentioned, James l.. Waller. an aged man. WITH
sllyery locks. who kept store ~ Tanners
Crock in Norfolk county, was enjoying sweet
mOrsels Of rest after the hard labor OF a busy
day, when he was called from his bed and IN
yltod 10 face his slayer.
He was awakened by loud knocks az 1.-THE door.
lie raised up ami inquired who was on the out |
side voice replied. "A customer who
wants some qninine. Nr. Waller thinSing That !
some one must be sick arose aud turned up the !
light and opened the door. A big burly negro, |
Henry Curtis. stood outside. lie again asked |
for quinine and the accommodating merchant /!
hurried 90 get II. As lie did So he was struck !
on the head with a big stick ~ wood and |
knocked down. He was then battered with |
Ratchet and made unconscious. The lnhuman |
m Irderer was nor satisfied with this but pulled
the mattress from tho bed and wrar ping Mr..
Waller in ~. poured kerosene upon IL ana applied |
a torch while life still remained in the bodyof |
drawer was then taken and the body was left TO
cremate.
lie hed, bu, seemed 80 be seized with remorse
and fright, and quickly leaving the place where
he had buried the money he returned 10 the
scene OF the crime and yelled Fire. fire" Sew
eral men rushed in, but they we're too late 10 be
Of any Assistance. a lay that time the body Of |
the victim had burned 20 a crisp
The BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
The Virginia Baptist Association convened at
the Freemas0n- street Baptist church at 10
D clock to-day. The opening nesting was R
preacher conference. The subjects discussed
were as follows: Public reading OF the Scrip
lures. Bible readings, when and how TO conduct
-hom; sermOnic rules how to avoid them; pas
.oral visiting IN town and city"
Tho opening sermon was delivered tonight
before Dacko house by Dr. Cornelius Tvree.
Hon. j. Taylor Lllfson was reelected president
with tho following vice-presldeuts: Rev. Julian |
brOaddus Berryyi.le; Colonel Thomas 1abb. |
hampton 7. n. Bills. Richmond; Dr. A. l.. |
owen, Portsmouth; NOryell Ryland. treasurer; |
Hugh G. Smith, secretary: J. B. Jones. auditor;
Dr. VI. j. Wharton presented the Association |
With a beautiful RAyei. which the late Thomas |
J. NOTTINGHAM brought from the Holy and for |
he Association IL was received with apprO-
)riate remarks by Alr. EllysOn. and the congre-
cation. lead by Or. Landrum sung "lu tho |
sweet by e-and-Bye.n At In O'Clock tomorrow |
Dr.. Jones, OF the First church, Will deliver
Welcome address. which will be followed by |
discussion OF Home Missions. Arrang ements
ave been made 20 entertain SIX hundred dele
'ates.