Evening journal., 1892-01-29
TOM THOMPSON HANGED.
avon Have All Been Kind to Me,
Good Bye He Said.

The Colored Man Paws the Penalty Of
Death for the Cowardly Murder o. wiz
liam Adams-He Yevor waversd Nor
Lost Nerve for Moment.
Special Despatch to the EVENING JOURNAL.
CHEsTERrowE, Nd, Jan 29-Thomas
Thompson, colored, was hanged here this
morning az % o'clock for the murder
of'"Bully" Adams on August %, 1891
Sheriff Plummer sprung the trap and
death resulted instantly. The condemned
negro never wavered or lost nerve as he
approached his doom.
The last words he said were 'You have
all been kind TO me good bye.
About 100 men were in the jsiyard
and witnessed the hangin 6
On the night OF August 80 1891
Thompson, with his chum Bully
Adams, also colored, were strolling about
the town treating each other to cigars,
etc and from all appearances were very
friendly with each other. 1t seems that
Thompson was interested In girl named
Mitchell, with whom Thompson charged
Adams with keeping company" Adams
denied 1t, whereupon the two went to
Mitchell's TO prove who was right.
While at the door Of Fannie Mitchelfs
house Thompson was heard to say
to Adams "Pll fix you for it, and
afterwards was seen going home When
Adams had reached Mills street he was
suddenly stabbed ia the heart by Thomp-
son, whe ran up quickley behind
him.
HIS VICTIM FOUND DEAD.
Adams, when found by Officer Kelley
was dead his coat was lying across his
arm, and between his fingers he held a
helf-smoked cigar. officers Immediately
began to search for the murderer.
Thompson first went home and then
started for Smyrna.
THE FUGITIVE CAME TO WILMINGTON.
From there he came to Wilmington
at this place, he states, he made up bis
mind to go back home When near
Galena he was arrested by Officer Miller
His trial took place during the last DC
tober term of court, J udge Wlckes on the
bench. The jury did not remain ont
more than ten minutes bsfore verdict
of murder in the frst degree" was
rendered.
THE DOOMED MANS BEHAVIOR.
The death warrant setting Friday.
January 90 IS the day Of execution, wss
Rad TO the prisoner by Sheriff Plum
mer During the reading he showed no
signs of emotion.
He has made one attempt to escape
since his incarceration. By means of an
old case knife he sawed his leg irons In
two asd was ready for dash for liberty
but was detected by Waterman Dpgsn
and new irons were put on him. A letter
was found on him TO persons outside and
to fellow prisoners. the substance of
watch was that he intended to knock the
sheriff down with an iron poker when he
came in his cell and thus make his
escape.
CHOOSES REV. X J. WATKINS FOR AID
y1cE.
Thompson has selected Rev r Irving
Watkins, pastor Of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, as his spiritual adviser The
choirs of the Methodist Episcopal and
Methodist Protestant churches visited
the prisoner on Sunday and engaged in
religious services, conducted by Rev. Mr.,
Watkins. Thompson stated to a press
correspondent that he was perfectly well
ana that he was prepared to die. He is
cheerful, and continually reads the Bible
and sings
The condemned man is 25 years old,
six feet two inches tall and weighs lSg
pounds. he was born in Caesterto wn
ana has never borne a good character
The scSffold is erected in the jail-yard
next to Cross street, and the prisoner die
not have to walk more than thirty feet