Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-21
DOUBLE EXECUTION.
A WHITE BOY AND A NEGRO usH-
Erred INSTANTLY INTO ETERNITY
The Cold -Biooded Murder of Sol. Swain
AvengsG--Ten Thousand People VIII
ness tho Scenes on the Scaffoid.
rspecI., ,olerrnm 70 the Dispatch.l

lcpect1l teicErnlu 70 tnc birP'ssA'i
GREENSBORO, n. c., October 20-Caarics Rey-
nolds, white boy, and Merriman Headen eoo'-
orcdD we're publicly executed here to-day ior 'ne
murder OF old man Sol Swain, who resided near
High Point, in August last.
At 12 o'clock wagon carrying the prisoners
Sheriff Cook, ex-sherif Boon, and the reporters
arrived on the grounds. The Guilford Grays
formed square around the Scafold TO hold back
the enormous crowd. few minutes afterward
the prisoners. accompanied by their guards,
mounted tho scaffold. Reynolds was asked u ne
bad any statement 10 make, but answered. In inc
negative.
rERsrsIY FRIGHTENED.
The negro Headen. however, made SNORT
speech, warning his friends 20 beware Oh pao
company, which had brought him there. he
said tina, his SINS had been forgiven and tnat ne
was going straight to glory. The negro was ter.
ribly frightened and moved nervously about All
the time. Reynolds, however, maintained ais
apparent indifference until he bede DIS pro'ner
good-by.
BROKE DOWN.
He then broke down completely and soboed
audibly. At LIS the ropes were adjusted ap0us
tho necks of the prisoners. While this was os-
ing done an awful stiffness came over the crowd.
Every thing having been arranged, sherin cook
came down from the platform, and AZ I;2I
knocked the trigger loose, and second later
Two bodies shot into space and two souls were IN
eternity.
DEAD.
In nine minutes after the bodies fell Headens
pulse ceased TO beat, but that OF Reynolds con-
tnued TO nutter twelve minutes. At eighteen
minutes OF both bodies were placed IN thelr
collins and taken charge OF by their friends:
The crowd present was estimated at from 5000
to 10000 people.
HISTORY OF THE CRIME.
The readers OF the DISPATCH viii remember
tho telegram, Just two months ago, announcing
the brutal murder and robbery OF old man
Sclathol Swain. The old man, at the time oil
his unnatural taking OF, was peacefully doing
In bis chair on the front porch ofhis house. pro-
badly dreaming OF being soon reunited With his
boys in the West, as he had settled up his bust
| ness, and in n few weeks he Intended 10 go OUT
| and Join his sons. The assassins had crept
st'althiy up to the porch, and with pistol almost
touching the sleeper's forehead had fred, Killing
the old man Instantly.
ARRESTED.
| In few days after the tragedy the murderers,
q white boy, Charles Reynolds, and negro
Norman Headen, we're arrested and soon con-
tessed their guilt, which was only too plain, and
| In less than month after the murder was CON-
mitted both parties we're condemned to be
| hanged on the 10th Of October.
The white boy has shown from FIRST TO last O
| cellous indifference that was astounding.
AHARDEHED CRIMINAL.
On yesterday he was visited by relatives, who
we're greatly distressed et hts fate, but the pri-
soner was utterly Indifferent except to ask ques-
| tions about tie details OF the hanging to-day
| wanting 10 know II n large crowd would be pres
willing to witness the end, but the prisoner Ia.
| sisted that he should be present. The negro on
the other hand, was unnamed, and as he talked
| he shook vibibly as If he had chill