The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-23
WILLIAMS SWUNG OFF
The First Of The Meyer
MuPd8TGrS Hanged.
He Died Protesting
His Innocence.
STRANGLED BY THE ROPE.
Williams Warning to His
Fellow Prisoners.
SCENES At THE GALLOWS.

Gus Williams paid the death penalty yes
terday for his part 10 the brutal murder of
August W. Meyer last January. The drop
fell at 1910 o'clock and Williams died from
strangulaticn in fifteen minutes. The last
words he uttered, except his prayers, were
protestations of innocence.
The execution was remarkable for the
lack of fanatioal religious demonstrations
which have been the general rule in previ-
Gus hangings here. Williams fully realized
the import of the terrible death which
awaited him and he went quietly but nerv-
ously to his doom. There was no singing
on the trap door, no seeing of angels fustsr-
ing around or anxiety to be in time 10 catch
gospel trains. A silent prayer from che
lips Of the condemned man aud brief. car
nest appeal from Rev. Alexander Harris 30
show Williams mercy were the only relig-
ious exercises which took place in the gal
lows room.
Williams arose at 5 o'clock yesterday
morning, after good nights rest, and i'm
mediately began 90 pray. He ate q hearty
breakfast. with as much relish as a man
going to his daily labor, instead Of one
preparing to die an fgnominious death by
the rope. After breakfast he sang sew
eral hymns in a low tone, in which all the
prisoners Joined.
WILLIAMS BAPTIZED.
Rev. Alexander Harris and Descons
March Haynes, Oliver Foster W. Royal,
NJ Cannon and w. burden arrived about
O'Clock, and went at once to Williams cell
Co give him the last consultations of
religion. Some time was spent In
earnest prayer. after which Rev. Harris
baptized the condemned man. His
grave clothes, consisting OF black trousers,
h1ark atnaCa laaf
shirt and white gloves, were then semi TO
Williams by Sheriff Roman, aud he quickly
donned the outfit Promptly at 10 o'clock
she condemned man stepped from his cell
and said TO the guard, Tell the sheriff 1
am ready"
He looked neat in his outfit, but his face
bore frightened look. He started down
the west side Of the corridor shaking hands
with all the prisoners, bidding them good
by In a choking voice. To Marion Hey
ward, one Of his fellow conspirators who Is
yet to be tried, Williams said: Prepare
Marion, for they're gwine TO take your
life, too" Hayward began crying and
walked TO the other end of his cell
Coming back up the eastern side of the
corridor toward the death cell Williams
nervousness increased, aud his voice trem-
bled. His good-bys were extremely plain
tive, aud tears were gathering In his eyes
As he reached the cell occupied by Joe Blois,
who Is 60 60 the same road for the same
crime Aug. IL, Blois burst into tears as the
condemned man grasped his hand through
the grated door.
WARNING TO BLoIs
''Joe," said Williams. "you stop crying.
Don't waste your thoughts or your time on
the lawyers, but look Co God. He's the
only one that can save you. I am innocent
of this crime, and my sins have been blotted
out by the blood OF Jesus Christ. Now am
ready to go TO the gallows, and am glad
go an innocent man 10 my death. Look to
God. Joe-look to God"
After finishing his admonition to
Blois, Williams walked over Co where the
group OF ofhcers aud newspaper men were
standing in front of the gallows room.
Taking position in the center the con-
demned negro faced the MORNING NEWS
reporter and with tears In his eyes said :
''Au have to say, sir, Is that go to the
gallows an innocent man. l know nothing
about the crime I'm going co be hanged for
am as innocent as any OF you" Then he
turned quickly 60 Rev. Harris and said:
81 am ready, let's GO" at the same time
stepping briskly toward his cell of doom
The door was closed and Williams stopped
20 shake hands with the deputies.
GAYS GooD-BY.
While he was doing this Jim GAY. who
was 20 have been hanged with him, rushed
up through the corridor, and, grasping Will
Jams hand, said: "Good-by, Gus, / guess
IN 60 the same way coon, but it will be
like you. an innocent man,
Sheriff Roman had Blois and Cav re-
moved to their cells farther down the cor
rldor, where they couldn't see the hanging,
and the other prisoners were also locked up.
When Williams entered the cell he shud-
dered perceptiby at the noosed rope dang
ling in front OF him, and glanced up at the
ring above. Rev. Harris placed his hand
on the condemned mans shoulder and
urged him on to the trap door, where he
took position facing north, during the
ministers prayer, praying silently himself
all the while. Rev. Harris prayer only
lasted about three minutes, and as be
stepped out OF the cell Deputy Sheriff
Symons (colored) entered and bound Will
Jams arms and legs with stout cords
During this trying ordeal Williams face
worked convulsively and he seemed
to be making a desperate effort to
maintain composure. His lips were moving
quickly as If in prayer, but no sound Issued
from them. The deputy placed him in the
center Of the trap door and Deputy Sheriff
Dunno went in and adjusted the moose
around the condemned mans neck. While
the knot was being slipped in position under
his left ear Williams turned with an sp-
pealing look to the deputy as if hoping for
mercy, but he never uttered a word.
TIE BLACK CAP DRAWN.
Inc BLACK cap was quickly drawn
over his face by Deputy Nathans and Will
Jams was left standing alone, waiting for
the awful moment.
While Sheriff Roman was reading the
death warrant Williams swayed from side
TO side on the trap door, aud would have
fallen except for tue rope around his neck,
When the sheriff finished reading the war
rant he added: "And may the Lord have
mercy on your SOUL" swapping his fingers
as signal to the hangman. Probably a
second or two elapsed, then the iron trap
doors parted with bang AID Williams
shot down ten feet into space
As the sound of the faliin z trap resounded
snrougn the jail Joe blois, Jim Gay, Marion
Hayward and Isaac TIson, the other muir
oerers, set up a wall which was taken up by
the female prisoners upstairs and by means
OF their screams comm uuicated to those
VIesloe tue jail that the murderer was gone.
About 500 negroes were zathered in Haber-