The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-07-06

Iss Bays Dies Il he Pi.sa shs,a by Priola.u-A
Dsspsr,ts Lii. Eaa.d

~ AAJ- Dir- u 80 4At- on4t4 ~ rtlplA4a-
Desperate Life Ehdsd
Joseph Hays. the colored man who
was seriously shot At Mont Alto Park
on Wednesday last, died 10 his cell in
the Jail on Sunday morning at seven
teen minutes 10 5 o'clock.
Ever since mis- incarceration Hays
has been steadily declining, although
At periods he would revive which
proved only temporarily. He was
given excellent medical attention by
Jail Physician Snesserott and several
Of our town physicians. and Sheriff
Jones was unkiring in his efforts Il
alleviate his suffering. On Saturday
evening it became apparent that death
was close at hand. Rev. j. A. II.
johnson, of St. James A. NJ. Il. church,
who had been conversing with the dv-
ing man as to his spiritual condition,
again called and after talking with
Hays was informed by him that he
knew his condition and was ready 10
die. Hays also informed policeman
Johnston that he was not afraid Of
death and was ready to face il. He
ali the same time informed the police
man that he had received two bullets
ia his body before he Hays had fired
n single shot Later Hays requested
the Sheriff to call Prioleau, the man
who shot him. As Prioleau advanced
to him Hays extended his hand and
clasping that Of Prioleau said II for
give You all; He then talked to the
prisoners around him and charged them
to lead better lives and when liberat-
ed to turn their attention to higher
things than those which would bring
them only trouble. He informed
Sheriff Jones that his life had been
spent as a gambler and that he was
now paying the penalty. His final
sufferings we're excruiating, and his
death i hard one, although all was
done that could be done to make his
last moments as peaceable as possible.
After death the body was removed to
Undertaken Denton's establishment
where il was prepared for the autopsy.
-Chambersburg Repository.
The autopsy held Sunday afternoon
at Chambersburg led to the belief that
one ball had made a double wound,
taking effect in the spinal column, and
that this was what caused his death.
Directly after the autopsy was per-
formed an inquest was held. A num-
Der of witnesses were examined, and
all threw the blame entirely on Hays.
They stated he commenced the trou-
BILE, and fired the first two shots at
Prioleau. Hays life was that Of a
gambler, and an all-around terror to
every community that was unfortunate
in having his presence. He has a
record in Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia and West Virginia, that has
no equal. He was widely known in
all these States, and no good was ever
known to come of him.
Hays body was brought to this city
on Monday evening, and was met at
the depot by large crowd Of colcred
people. After the corps was taken
from the car, and before Undertaken
Wileu could place it in the hearse, a
free and general quarrel arose. As
number claimed Hays as their hus-
band, while others claimed him as a
relative. All were married to him,
excepting those who claimed only a
relationship. On the coffin beneath
the address tag, was letter written
by Hays. This was spied by one Of
the women who snatched it away, and
before the undertaken could get it, she
tore it in half and threw it on the
ground. The undertaken picked it up,
and placing it together, found that
among other requests was the one that
his body should be turned over to
Matte Montgomery. He delivered
the corpse accordingly, followed by
the crowd, and the numerous wives of
Hays, who INDUCED in all manner of
language and threats against each
other. The affair was one ofthe most
disgraceful ever witnessed in this city !.
It was afterward reported that Hays
had some little money, and this rea-
son was attributed to his wives becom-
ing SO numerous. He was buried in
the colored cemetary north Of this
city yesterday evening.
nTIap Aunprsp cYYpp