Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-08-13

stirring tragedy was enacted in the county's
burial plot latein the afternoon. Theexecu-
ton, as stated in dispatch yesterday, was
private, only the legalized number Of spec.
tators being present. There were series OF
applicants for admission to the fatal en-
closure, but the sheriff adhered to the man
dates of the law. There was crowd gath
cred about the open yard, through which
the prisoner walked or was led and dragged
on his way to the scaffold, but there was
no such boisterous crowd and demonstra.
ton as upon the occasion of Proctor and
Young's execution.
A few people were given the privilege of
viewing the scaffold before the hanging,
and among the mum Der were a few women.
Two of the feminine curiosity-seekers.
women of fine appearance, were accom-
panied by two timid young children.
When the latter we're near the fatal en-
closure they shrunk from sight of the
instrument of DEATH and hesitated about
going in. They were, however, sternly
taken in hand and led to n close inspection
of the dea lily trapping. Everybody looked
upon them with pity, except their mothers
who evidently saw no impropriety in
bringing the little ones face TO face with
the grim scaffold The privacy of execu-
tions meets with general approval of the
citizens and nearly every one commends
the Legislature for combining the ghastly
exhibitions to as few people as possible.
One or two old men, however, We're heard
raising their voice in protest against pri-
yate executions as the terrible lessons they
impaired were lost upon the multitude.
But these were in the very small minority
and were doubtless welded TO old customs
The hanging of Thoroughbred was a
success from a scientific standpoint, and
sheriff Cole passed through the second
trying ordeal of his administration with
entire credit TO himself having faithfully
and conscientiously discharged his most
gruesome and revolving official obligations.
THoRoueHGooD's BRUTAL CRIME.
Thoroughgood's crime was dastardly
brutal and shocking. and nearly cost his
victim her life. On January 18th last, he
overlook little Lulu Huntington ON the
| public road from her fathers house to
Viola where she had been sent to make
| some purchases at store As the child
was walking along secluded portion of the
highway, Thoroughbred seized, and by
brute force carried her into woods and
| their did her outrageous violence. The
| little girl made a furious but useless resist
ance, and in the encounter against her
burly assailant her clothing was torn to
shreds. The child was thrown into un-
consciousness, and not returning home
| from her errand her father, William Huff
iington, sent II neighbor's child in search
of her. The latter found the Huntington
child in an almost dying condition, unable
to walk. The father, with a neighbor,
| was led to the spot, and Lulu Huiting-
ton was found lying in an uncon-
| scious condition. The torn and bedraggled
clothing told the story of her resistance
and the blood which besmeared her body
| told the story of Thoroughgoods villany.
/ This was further verified by medical ex-
animation. The girls condition was criti-
cal for some days and she has never recov-
cred from the severe shock to her delicate
system.
| As soon as the story of the outrage be-
came known within a short time a band
of people-both white and black-organ-
lied a searching party to capture the cul-
prit. GOV. Reynolds added an inspiration
to the search by offering reward ui $500
for 'rhoroughgood's capture. AT Harring
ton the culprit was run down by an officer
who identified him by the description fur
nished by his victim The news Of his
capture begot desire for summary pun
ishment and ii was concluded as prudent
to execute a bit of strategy to keep the I'M
hanged villain out Of the hands of the in
furiated people. BY announcing the pro-
gramme of proceeding to Dover Jail and
taking another course the populacc were
thrown Off the track and whatever deci-
sion as to lynching the people had reached
was thwarted.
The negro's victim was brought to
identify him, and she did so beyond ques-
ton, although quaking with fear before
the author of the injuries which must
eventually lead to her DEATH and deprive
her of the proper use of her lower limbs
during her short life
In April last Thoroughbred was put on
trial for his life at Dover and Beniah
Watson assigned by the court to defend
him. bold attempt to defeat Justice
and manufacture some Republican politi-
cal capital, as had been done in the Neal
case was made. The question of dis
elimination against negro Jurors was
raised but the court refused to entertain
this plea, and it was the intention of Mr..
Watson 10 take the case to the Supreme
Court following the Neal procedure), but
ii is said the money to conduct the case to
and before the higher tribunal did not
materialize and the black brute was left to
his severe but just deserts for his dastardly
crime. The Jury i'll the Kent county court
found Thoroughbred guilty after very
short deliberation and the court sentenced
him to be hanged.
Thoroughgood has since been in Dover
Jail. Under the cloak of boisterous
demonstration of religious fervor he
cut a hole through his cell wall,
smothering the noise of his work
by his loud supplications and hypo.
critical shouts. His attempted escape was
discovered Just Ill the MEX OF time to pre-
vent its successful consummation, and he
has been so closely watched as to make d
repetition of his undertaking useless
Abandoning all hope of escaping the
penalty of his crime Thoroughbred turned
his attention to spiritual matters with ap
parent sincerity and professed himself to
be in readiness to go to final Judgment
His marvellous appetite demanded 8
liberal allowance of food constantly
which was supplied and his air OF
bravado bore him up until the last.
Thoroughbred would only speak of tn,
crime to say he was innocent but declined
to gointo a discussion of the matter in any
detail save to claim an alibi.
He leaves wife and one child, the lattel
two or three years old. The chain Of eyi
dence against Thoroughbred was so com
plete and perfect his crime so dastardly
and its results almost tragic that no on.
probably will say he did not merit the fat,
the law has dealt out to him.
Organization of Newspaper Men.
Representatives of the city papers me-
Thursday afternoon at the office of tn,
Morning NewS and organized Whining.
ton Reporters Association Officers a.
follows were elected President, j. B
, Cheyney; Vice-president, George Carter