Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-04-21
Execution of VIM. Bond.

about twenty. five, was hanged in the jail
yard for the murder of Margaret Cephas,
colored, near Unity, on November 22nd,
1891. The execution, as required by the
law, was a private one, being witnessed
only by the small number authorized by the
State law to be present on such occasions.
Little excitement existed in the town and
the execution of Bond was generally be-
lieved TO be we'll deserved and q Just pun
ishment.
Bonds last night on earth was spent in
the company of his spiritual advisers, one
or more of them being with him through
out the night, singing hymns and praying
and whispering words of religious consola-
ton to the wretched man. Shortly before
dark the following colored ministers from
Washington arrived in town and at once
proceeded to the Jail: John Roberts, Ran
dolph Summerville, Charles Williams, VIM.
M. Epperson, Mrs. John Roberts and Mrs.
o. E. Gassoway accompanying the clergy
men, and with Mrs. Charlotte johnson, a
colored woman Of this town, led in the sing
ing of hymns in the condemned mans cell
during Thursday night and Friday morning.
Revs. Daniel Wheeler and Logan John
son, colored ministers of this place, Joined
the Washington clergymen at the Jail.
For about month past Bond has com
planned of misery in the head, and of this
he complained through the night. The
greater part of his last night on earth Bond
spent lying face downward on his cot while
the clergymen crowded about him A small
oil lamp Illuminated the cell and carpet
had been laid upon the brick floor
The condemned man had attired himself
in neat suit of dark clothes kindly furnish
ed to him by Jailer Council, and Il red
bandanna handkerchief was bound tightly
about his head. He had eaten during the
last few days hardly enough to sustain him,
although he was told that he could have
anything he might call for.
Not until near midnight did the clergy
men succeed in awakening in Bond any in
terest in their work. Then he expressed de-
sire to be baptized, and Rev. Logan John
son, assisted by the other ministers, per-
formed the ceremony, but even then Bond
was apparently an almost Indifferent being,
mechanically obeying the direction of the
ministers during the service. When it was
concluded the Christian workers gathered
closer about the miserable man and sang
and prayed for quite while.
Then Bond having spoken hardly word
in reply to- the inquiries of the workers,
again threw himself face downward on his
cot. He slept for a short while, then the
clergymen again entered his cell Thus the
night passed.
Bond, so far as the officials of the Jail
knew, was without relative in the world,
save half brother, who visited him but
once in Jail. The wretched man appeared
10 realize that there was probably not be-
ing the world who really cared what be.
came of him and several times of late re-
marked that he was nothing but trouble
for people and that he would be glad when
il was all over. He appreciated the untir.
ing kindness of Tailor Connell and his wife
and thanked them more than once tor what
they had done for him. He was finely
built specimen OF physical manhood, al
though of a more than ordinarily low type
of intellectually.
The service Of song and prayer was re.
sumed and at times Bond joined in the sing
ing. AT his request Mrs. Gassoway led in
singing the hymns Take Me as | Am"
"Where is My Wandering Boy Tonight"
and ale is Just the Same To-day"
Before Bond was baptized the Rev. Logan
johnson, at the request of Jailer Connell,
took the condemned man aside and urged
him, if he was guilty of the crime, to con
TESS it and thereby make his peace with
God and man. After some hesitation Bond
stated that he would make a statement, and
the minister took 1t down in writing. The
condemned mans statement was as follows
81 was drunk at the time committed the
crime the woman lived close to me when
was young, and we both lived on the same
place-Mr. Charles Grffith's met her in
Howard school house lane When | left
my house that evening ! went TO see a fell
low who owed me some money named
Lewis Milton, after which | went TO see
Uncle John Howard. lie gave me some
cider asked him for il. From there |
went TO Mr. Richard Gnffith's and met
man by the name Of Vernon Combock.
With him went TO one of Mr.. Frank Grit
fith's tenement houses and called on family
there by the name of Jones and bought some
cider IRON them. There got drunk. After
that went To Mr.. L. Riggs place and there
Vernon left me. My horse got away from
me and Mr. John Lee and his son helped
to catch him. From there | started home
by the way of Nick Mockabee's and there
my horse ran away again and wac caught
by two boys. came through Howard
school house lane and back 10 Mr.. MOcka
bees 10 get my coat, which left when my
horse ran away. At this time | met the
woman, Margaret Cephas, got down from
my horse and attempted To outrage her. |
threw her down and put my hands on her
throat 10 keep her from making noise.
did not know she was dead until they came
after me on the following Monday evening.
did not intend 10 kill, nor did think she
was injured sufficiently TO die"
The confession made by Bond undoubt-
eddy greatly relieved his mind, for Friday
morning he was not only more cheerful,
but his appetite very good, and he disposed
OF good breakfast prepared for him by the
jailer's wife. lie expressed himself as be-
ing prepared for the terrible ordeal which
faced him, and stated that he would step
from the world to seat beside the heavenly
throne.
Sheriff Fairal announced 10 the wit
nesses invited 10 be present at the execu-
ton 10 assemble at the jail at o'clock, as
he desired TO give the man all the time he
reasonably could. During the morning the
religious exercises in Bonds cell continued
and rs the dreaded hour approached his en-
thusiasm yisibly increased.
At 1855 the grated door Of the Jail open.
ing into the yard was flung open and the
death procession slowly entered the yard,
the Rev. Logan johnson heading the way,
the aheriH NEXT and the cOndemned man