The morning news., 1892-02-20
HUNG In WHITE GLOVES
Cummings Made The Most Of
HiS Taking OF.
DRAMATIC SCENESAT THE
GALLOWS.

The Condemned Mans March Through
the jail Corridor Praying and Sing
ing Hymns-His Good-by to His Fell
low Prisoners-Ee Confesses the
Killing Of Williams on the Gallows.
The Trap Sprung at Il O'clock and
the Murdersr's Neck Broken by the
Fsll-His Body Taken to Potter's
Plantation for Burial
Charles c. Cummings. the murderer Of
David Williams. was hanged for bis crime
IN the gallows room OF the county jail yes
terday morning. The trap was sprung at
1:0l15 o'clock. The murderer's neck was
broken by the fall. causing instantaneous
death. His heart ceased TO beat in 1515
minutes, and after hanging 25 minutes the
body was cut down.
Cummings met death with Q smile on bis
couutenance, and under the religious spell
which had possession Of him be seemed
happy over his terrible fate.
The scenes preceding the execution were
most unusual and intensely dramatic. show
ing IN a manner probably never seen before
on such an occasion the high tension TO
which the negro nature can be wrought by
religion.
Cummings arose early and after eating a
hearty breakfast began reading his Bible
and singing in a low tone various hymns
At $50 o'clock the condemned mans spirit
ual advisers, Revs. p. Black, Il. j. jackson,
q. W. Griffin. Bristoe Cummings and L.
Kennedy. arrived at the Jail and were ad-
mitted to his cell.
HIS FINAL CONSOLATION.
For quite awhile they prayed with Cum
rpings. and then they began the singing Of
hymns. The voices Of the singers could be
heard all through the jail, with the shrill
tenor of the condemned the highest OF all.
Sheriff Roman and his deputies went into
the main corridor at 1918 o'clock and be-
gan the final preparations for the execu-
tion. At 1927 o'clock Cummings stepped
out Of his cell, and called out, in a loud
~oicei ~ sm glad; am glad because
am going to meet my redeemerp He was
dressed neatly in black Prince Albert
coat, striped pantaloons, black vest. white
shirt, standing whitening collar and white
lawn bow. he had on pair Of white cloth
gloves Cummings was a splendid type Of
man physically, with an Intelligent face
not at all vicious looking, and he showed to
good advantage in his clerical garb. He
bowed suilinRly to the officers, physicians
and reporters as they entered the corridor.
MARCH THROUGH THE CORRIDOR.
After all we're within the cage the mur-
derer turned and walked with a slow, mill
tary tread to the extreme north end Of the
long corridor and for a moment looked out
upon the bright sunshine which was peeping
through the bars. Then he faced about
and came slowly up the corridor singing,
Lord, send and find home for me in that
bright world"
When about half way up the corridor
Cummings raised his right hand and called
out to the other prisoners whose faces were
pressed against the bars: brothers, all
join me, at the same time raising bis voice
TO such pitch that it could be plainly
heard beyond the jail walls out IN the street.
Livery prisoner responded to the request.
and the scene was dramatic in the extreme,
the condemned man leading aud the others
Joining in the refrain in chanting tone.
WROUGHT UP TO A BIGH PITCH
Cummings continued singing, improvis-
ing a line now aud then, as he walked back
ward and forward in the corridor, keeping
time with his arms as if he were leading a
choir. At one time he was so wrought up
that be began to shout. After finishing his
march he walked back again to the north
ern end OF the corridor, glanced out a
second time through the grated windows
and then began TO say good-by to bis fellow
prisoners. From cell to cell he went clasp.
ing the hands of the inmates. singing to
each an improyised doggerel suitable to
their cases, invariably concluding with the
remark, brothers, join me on the road. +"
Some of the prisoners were affected to
tears, and the five men charged with the
murder of August Meyer clasped Cum.
mings' hand in q nervous, frightened man.
ner and then turned their faces to the win
uows.
BIDDING THEM GooDsBY.
After concluding his good-bys, Cum
mings approached the group which had
been intentiy watching bis movements,
singing;
I bave g mother
Over yonder
BY and by will 20
And see her,"
Then turning 10 the reporters. he said
"Teke this down; it's mine,n at the time
singing:
Hang me. carry me. and bury me,
Tomorrow I'm going to rise
Nobody knows the JOY of my soul
stand by. my brother and my mother.
stand by, my dear sister Annie;
Stand by, for I'm soon coming.
Turning to Sheriff Roman Cummings
asked: ''Mr. Sheriff, what time is itr'
1T is now 10:35," responded the sheriff.
ON A THROUGH TICKET.
Well, I'm not going to leave you until
10:55 O'clock" said Cummings with smile.
'I've got ticket for that train but the
time seems Go move around slowly. am
not going to die only change to a better
life. will soon stand between two sheriffs
Sheriff Roman and a celestial sheriff. and
the celestial sheriff will carry me up to rest
on Jesus breast. The trap door will
GOOD fall from under my feet.
and ] will be hanging between
heaven and earth. with nothing beneath NV
feet but the soles Of my shoes and air. They
may put rope around my neck and a
black cap over my head, but they cannot
put rope around or black cap over nv
soul. My body can be destroyed, but not
my soul. because it already belongs &c
God"
During this speech Cummings uncle
Dick Butler, was standing by his side weep.
Ing. and the condemned man next turned tc
him. Don't cry, uncle" be said. 81 know
iVs bard for you TO see re die this way. bui
remember that Christ died between heaven
and earth, and / am not greater than be-"
CONFESSED TBE KILLING.
Again turning TO the assembled prour
Cummings made q full confession OF hi.
murder Of Williams He said be bad never
intended to Kill the man, but be threw him.
self in the way and got the bullet
~ only allowed" said the con.