The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-08-08
DIED ON THE cALIows.
James Thoroughbred, the Colored
Man Adjudged Guilty of Terrible
Crime, Hanged at Dover Yesterday.

James Thoroughbred, the Colored
Man AdJudged Guilty of Terrible
Crime, Hanged at Dover Yesterday.
James Thoroughbred, the colored
man who was adiuged guilty of ter
rible crime at tho April term OF Kent
county court was hanged at 1.3o
o'clock yesterday. Since his eonvic-
ton he has professed religion, and
while singing and shouting in bis cell
was detected In tho net of cutting u
hole through the wall by which to
make his escape. He was removed to
another cell, and since then has boon
closely watched. He has had a most
voracious appetite up to yesterday
morning. when he, in view OF his i'm
pending and certain fate, refused to
eat any breakfast.
He did not sleep Thursday night. but
spent the time in singing and shout
Ing. He asked the Lord to give him
strength TO walk TO the gallows like
man, and to meet his fate without
Jear His suppllcations were SO loud
that he attracted quite large crowd
OF people TO the green outside of the
jail. As the sun was setting on Thurs
day evening he babe IL fearful fare
well. as the last he would ever see on
earth. When the moon rose he said:
Il will never, never see this bright
moon again. and then broke down in
tears.
On Thursday his victim, the puny
little eolored girl, who il is scarcely
probable will ever be well again, was
brought to Dover. She would not be
reconciled to the belief that her assail-
ant was beyond the power of carrying
out his threat of killing her, as she had
broken her covenant and told the story
OF her outrage. She came In from
Viola With her mother and effort was
made to get the child TO go into tho
Jail and further confront him with the
charge OF having assaulted her. She
had partly consented and walked to
close proximity to tho Jail when she
heard the culprit's voice in boisterous
supplication. She recognized II at
once and was terror-stricken. Nothing
could induce her to take another step
in the direction of the cell, and II was
necessary to remove her out OF the
reach of his voice and beyond the ex-
element attendant upon the execu-
ton.
The officials entered his cell shortly
after l o'clock, when he broke down
completely. lie was led from his cell
at at 1.20 o'clock, with the Rev. DIR.
Gibson on one side, and the Rev. James
jackson, his spiritual adviser on the
other. When he left the cell he broke
down and they were almost obliged
to carry him to the enclosure in which
the gallows was erected. Sheriff Cole
had provided him with black suit,
and a nice pair of slippers. After he
assembled the scaifold, the Rev. DR..
Gibson read the burial service, during
which 1t seemed that the culprit would
sink, As he stepped upon tho trap,
and the black cap was adjusted, he said:
Il am not guilty, thank God. and as /
stand here on the Scalfold declare to
to God | have never done injury to
any man or woman living, God have
mercy on my soul" His feet were
then fastened, and the rope adjusted
around his neck.
While the warden was attending to
this duty, he said: "Draw it tight, so
that there willnot be any trouble about
it,"
Just before the trap was sprung, the
Rev. James jackson, who has been at
| tending to the doomed man since his
| conviction, asked do you know me?
Thoroughbred replied, Eyes, Mr..
| Jackson"
DO you make full surrenderg asked
the clergyman, adding, Did you do
it-you know what meanN' when he
on the verge Of eternity replied, 81 am
not guilty"
Sheriff Cole then let the hatehet fall,
severing the rope which held the trap,
and he fell fully five feet. Although
muscular movements continued for
some time, tho physicians pronounced
| him dead in seven minutes, his neck
having been broken, but he was allow
ed to hang for fifteen minutes before
Ia 81. a.. ,afl al F..tl
er, mother or wife, are able or willing
to incur the expense of his burial, he
will be Inferred at the expense of the
county.
HIS CRIME.
On January 18th little Lulu Hufflng-
ton was sent by her father to Viola to
make some purchases. AS she remain
ed n long time another child was sent
in search of her. Tho latter found the
child in an almost dying condition,
unable to walk. The father, with q
neighbor, was led to the spot. and Lulu
huntington wins found lying in an I'M
conscious condition. The torn and
bedraggled clothing told tho story of
her resistance and the blood which be-
smeared her body told the story OF
Thoroughgood's villany. This was
further verified by medical examine
| lAoH. Ilic blll . COlltllllOll WIS tTltlcdl
for some days and she has never re-
covered from the severe shock to her
delicate system.
| When she was able to tell who her
assailant was band was organized to
capture the wretch, and Gov. Reynolds
added an inspiration to the search by
Offering a reward OF $500 for Thor
oughgood's capture. At Harrington
the culprit was run down by an officer
who identified him by the description
furnished by his victim. The news Of
his capture begota desire forsummary
punishment and it was concluded as
prudentto execute a bit of strategy
to keep the unhanged villain out OF
the hands of the Infatuated people. BY
announcing tho programme of pro-
ceeding to Dover Jail and taking an
other course, the populace were thrown
oil the track and whatever decision
as to lynching the people had reached
was thwarted.
His victim fully identified him as her
nssaliant, and he was committed
without bail for trial, at the April term
of court.
When he was placed on trial, the
Court assigned Bcniah Watson, Esq,
TO conduct the defense. and no OK.
hausted every means at his command
In behalf Of his client, The evidence
however, was overwhelming, and the
jury, attera short elaboration, rem
dered verdict of guilty. Two days
later Attorney General Biggs moved
that Judgment be pronounced, and the
Chief Justice sentenced him to be
hanged on August T.
he leaves wife and a child about
two years OF age. After his body was
cut down yesterday and placed in the