The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-01-09
WATKINS HANGED
Continued from pags-&

and tho prisoner walked o% into tn,
corridor, where the handcpfsL were puI
on him, to which he at Arstabiected
put the Rev. Fox, who ESsSat hfs side
5oia MIN to submit t5fS6g1aw and he
ulo SO. HIS armsYe then pinioned,
placed on his head. lAta few minutes
after eleven tho sheriff read the death
warrant9n Clear, strong voice, and
the progression then filed out of tho dun
geon tbroughNthe dining room into the
yard and on intoethe gallows inclosure,
the prisoner bong held on both sides
by Tailor HenfngS and his deputy.
Tho following jury, consisting of
w IL. Crigler, Joseph Z. Lemon, Il. w.
Kline, Alvin Landon, VIM. johnson, VIM.
Preston, j. A. Fink, Is. Il. Saunders, (M.
ID VIM. Simpson, VIM. McClannahan,
w. M. Nelson and &. w. Whitescarver,
together with Drs W. d. Armstrong, j
D. Killian, Il. L. Sanders, r. M. Baird
and j. ID. Shanks, and the representa-
tives of the press having ali walked
within the enclosure, Sergeant J. b.
Frier closed the door. Then, the sheriff
leading the way, the prisone.. with the
guards assembled the scaffold with a
firm step and took his position Just over
the trap door, tho Rev. Mr.. Fox holding
his hand. His legs were fastened by
the jailer and his assistant, and then
Mr.. John Rhodes placed
THE ROPE AROUND HIS NECK.
The sheriff then asked the prisoner,
Have you anything to say?" to which
Charles responded with smile, and in
loud monotone commenced: ssThere is
no man in this world, nor in the world
to come can hang me. 1 am SO glad
that Jesus is my Saviour. Jesus, thy
see the condition I am in," Cunning to
the guard here he said, "Don't choke
me;") then shouting Historically, 81
am the Son of Jesus Christ" Here the
sheriff motioned to the minister, who
with bare head and uplifted eyes offered
short, but very pathetic and impress
sive prayer. in which he implored tho
Divine mercy for the soul OF the con-
dcmned man.
THE BLACK CAP.
The veil of the black cap was then
lowered over the face Of the murderer
Jailer IIening shook hands and said
goodbye to Charles, the sheriff rave
the signal, and Mack Zirkle. who was
in the courthouse, gave the drop cord
strong and sudden pull. and at 1l:l7
the body Shot downward through tho
opening, giving but one turn, and then
not movement of any kind was dis
cernible, for the neck had been broken
by the terrific drop, and with such force
that some who wero near declared that
they heard it crack,
In six minutes tho pulse could not be
felt, In seventeen minutes DR.. Arm
strong pronounced him dead, and in
thirty minutes the body was cut down
and placed in neat coffin. When the
face was uncovered and tho rope taken
oil the neck there was seen slight
abrasion across tho throat, a small
bruise behind the left ear, and the lips
were slightly swollen; otherwise his
face looked natural.
THE COFFIN WAS THEN CI.c SEQ
and placed Oil wagon, the body being
given over to relatives, who will bury 1t
near Taylor Watkins house, on Brush
Mountain. The large crowds of people
in the neighborhosB of the Jail then
dispersed in quiet manner, and many
were the congra tulations rendered the
Sheriff and his assistants for the sue
cessful, humane and orderly manner in
which this execution was condnc ted.
Thus ended the career of Charles Wat.
kins, wife murderer. thief and forger.
The reporter is authorized by Mr..
McClung to deny the rumor as false
that Charles in his confession had owned
to killing others besides Susan Watkins,
Tor ne did not say anything of tho kind.