The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-21
A DOUBLE EXECUTION.
MURDERERsHUSG ISGREExsBOKo
Cbariev REYNOLDS and Merriman Headen
Expiate Their Crimes-Ten Ihoussno
People Present--Details.

special says: Charley Reynolds ana
Merriman Headen, the murderers Of I'm
Gle" Sol Swain, wealthy and highly
popular old man of Guilford county. near
Greensboro, were hanged in public here
to-day.
For some days the perpetrators evaded
arrest. The murder was skillfully done.
and for day or two no clue could be
found Murder will out" however. and
when the arrests were made so strong
was the evidence that the murderers con-
fessed the crime. Public feeling ran high
at first and there were strong threats
Of lynching.
THEIR LAST NIGHT.
The murderers were In good trim this
morning. They slept well, so they told
Rev. Mr.. Hilliard, and partook OF
hearty breakfast. Headen said he rested
better last night than at any time since
his incarceration. For men who were to
be executed within five hours they were
certainly cool. As before. they expressed
their readiness to meet their fate.
THE CROWDS GATHER.
Early this morning crowds Of people
came pouring into town by private con-
veyances. on foot and on the trains.
When dinner was offered TO Headen he
declined to eat Said he was not hungry
and would feel better without eating.
Not so, however, with Reynolds; he par
took OF hearty meal, but was anxious
to see his brother Gatts Reynolds.
THE MEN BOUND.
At 1890 o'clock Sheriff Cook assisted
by ex-Sheriff Boon, who has helped to
hang many in the years gone by, en-
tered and bound Headen, tying his arms
behind him. He displayed very little
nervousness, though 1t could be seen that
he was laboring hard to hide his emotion
This being accomplished he was taken
from his cell down stairs, and given In
charge Of a deputy. Mr. Cook then en-
tered REYNOLDS cell and pinioned his
arms i'm like manner. Just as he was told
TO come he turned to the sheriff and said
"Mr. Cook, | want you to be sure you
have everything fixed; don't let me surfer
and please see that my body Is sent
home" The sheriff assured him that
everything was properly fixed, and he
need apprehend no mishap.
THE MARCH TO DEATH.
The two men were then marched out
Of the Jail, where a wagon was in walt
ing, and placed them in it. Headen's cof-
fin was also in the wagon, across the body
sat the sheriff. Leaving the jail enclos-
ure. the procession was formed outside,
the Guilford Guards acting as a guard,
detachment being placed on either side
and near the wagon. The crowd around
the Jail was tremendous The prisoners
were very quiet, neither Of them uttering
a word, until when near the gas-house
Reynolds asked the sheriff what all those
men with guns were doing referring to
cN Afr
were to protect him and keep the crowd
away. At this he seemed relieved. Hea-
den rode with his arms akimbo this posi-
ton, no doubt, being more comfortable,
as his arms were tied behind his back.
AS the wagon stopped beside the scanoid,
both men kept their heads turned away
from II. never once looking towards II
until they were taken out and ascended
the steps. Revs. j. A. Bowles and M. c.
Field, of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, also ascended the scaffold.
THE LAST WORDS OF THE CONDEMNED.
Mr.. Boon then called upon the crowd
to keep perfectly quiet, as the condemn
ed desired TO say something, after which
the ministers present would hold religi-
Gus services. Reynolds was the first to
sneak He said he had nothing TO say.
Previous to this however, he wanted TO
know II his brother Gattis was present.
Mr.. Boon called for him, but received
no answer. After this he asked to see
his coffin. which was placec on the
ground below him. Sheriff Cook had II
uncovered, and he leaned over the side
and viewed il without tremor. 1t was
a neat coffin. which his father had pur-
chased for him. Headen was then told
10 speak IL he so desired. He turned his
face towards the west, where the largest
crowd was gathered and said: Gentle
men. one and ALL this Is a bad place TO
come to. / advise you all 10 keep out OF
bad company. 1t will bring you to bad
end Remember this and try TO serve the
Lord. l thank the Lord | am going TO
make Heaven my home Jesus freed my
sins from my soul, and / am going to
see Jesus, who hung on the cross for our
sins. and glory be to God, l am going
To see him. Glory be to God! VIII you
meet me? with much feeling and weep
ing) Farewell, one and all. Meet me In
Heaven. where We can praise him for-
ever. Amen.
During his talk, and in fact all the
time after he ascended the scaffold--even
while he was waiting for the trap TO be
sprung-he was very restless, continually
moving his feet and occasionally moan
ing. Religious services were then held.
During this service Reynolds stood per-
fectly quiet with his head bowed, but
Headen was extremely restless. Right
here Reynolds called for his brother,
who answered this time. He was told to
come up, but replied that Charley could
speak 10 him where he vas The sheriff
told him, however, TO come up, as Char
lev wanted to speak with him. Gattis
REYNOLDS then ascended, and Charley
told him to keep out of bad company and
meet him in Heaven. He evidently
wanted to talk more, but could not trust
himself
goodbye.
The ministers bade them goodbye and
retired Sheriff Cook tied their thumbs
and their arms behind them. Headen by
this time was weeping profusey. A
stranger in the crowd asked Reynolds:
Are you ready 10 meet Jesus?" He re-
piled in firm voice: Yes" Reynolds
then turned 10 young friend standing
I'm the crowd and said: Meet me in
Heaven, and tell Jesse, too" referring TO
another friend. Headen then asked for
John Jennings. colored man Just re-
leased from Jail, and bade him come up,
when he gave him the same advice as to
the crowd In his talk, and told him good
bye.
THF TRAP SPRUNG.
The condemned men were then placed on
the strap, the nooses adjusted and the
black caps put on Messrs. Cook and
Boon shook hands with them. and the
former descended TO the ground and pre-
pared 10 spring the trap
Mr.. Boon remained alone on the plat
form 10 see that the men did rot move