Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1894-11-05
Webb AND M'DANIEL SENTENCED
FRIDAY. JANUARY II. THE DAY
FINED FOR THEIR EXECUTION.

Judge Jones PronOunccs sentence On
the Murtlcrers of Charley Erwin in
the Criminal Court-Appq,l to the
supreme Court.
Criminal court convened until noon to-
day for the consideration of business not
requiring jury, and the most important
work was the sentencing OF Billy Nc
Daniel and Henry Webb, the colored boys
who were convicted last week of the
murder of Charlie Erwin.
About 1880 Judge Jones commanded
absolute silence in the court room. A
very unusual scene was about to be en-
acted, and the Judge showed in his face
full appreciation of the solemnity of the
occasion. There was crowd in the
court room and all turned their heads
from Judge to prisoners and watched
the proceedings interestedy.
Solicitor Eug. d. Carter, rising, asked
the judgment OF the court in case 1877,
against Mcdaniel and Webb.
Clerk Young made formal proclama-
tion, enjoining the crowd to keep silence
| upon pain of Imprisonment.
Judge Iones commanded McDat iel to
stand up. " hich the prisoner did, betray-
ing very little feeling. In response to the
Judges question it he had any reasons
why sentence should not be pronounced
upon him, Mcdaniel said something that
| sounded like II am prepared to die y
Attorney Henry b. Stevens answered
| that there were no reasons. Then ulge
Jones began the sentence:
1T is now my melancholy duty he
said, Ito pronounce sentence. | will not
lecture you; that is not for me TO do. If
YOU want consolation or comfort YOU
can get it from men more capable OF Civ
ing it than am
| The judgment OF the court lie then de-
livered-that Mcdaniel should be taken
in charge by John A. Brookshire, sheriff
OF Buncombc county, to be safely kept III
the common jail until Friday, January
II, 1895. on which day, between the
hours OF II IN. and 3 p. m. he should be
taken thence to the place of execution
land there hanged by the neck until YOU
are dead, dead, dead. And may the Lord
have mercy on your soul.
Henry Webb was told TO stand up
and when asked il he had any reasons
why sentence should not be pronounced
began in tremuous voice, while he ap
peard about to weep, by saying he was
not guilty OF the crime with which h'
was charged, and he would like to have
new chance TOR his life. Il did not
know" he pleaded, THAT he ErWln
was going to be killed. and it's awtu
hard to have to die for soneting
didn't do"
Chas. A. Webb, esq, one of the prisor
er 3 attorneys, then made plea for are"
trial. Judge Jones having stated that
Webb was not guilty and could secure {
new lrial, no one would be 2ladder thai
he. Mr. Webb thought The new tria
would never be granted unless Judg
Jones granted it. The Judge said if an,
new important evidence could be gath
cred he would consider the question q
granting a new trial, but could not tax
the prisoner declarations as the on.
reason tor granting it. He finally de
: clined new trial, and Webb stood up Il
receive his sentence, winch was simla
to that OF Mcdaniel. Webb heard hi
sentence with arms folded.
The crowd started to dispcrsc bn
stopped as Judge Jones said: WAIT
a minute. want te say a few wotds +
the young men who have heard this trla
and the sentence. Let it have som
effect on you. You boys who are &C
dicted to " hiskey and fast women, 10
Gods sake let this case have weigh
with you. The defendants are IN you
custody, Mr.. Sheriff"
An appeal has ben taken to the S,
premc court in the McDanicl-WeEb cas-,
Saturday in the Criminal court Ferr
Hunt was convicted of larceny trol
Henry Nj. Steele, and sentenced to t~
years on the county roads.
Chas. Arner submitted on Il charge I
assault with deadly weapon, and wa
sent to the roads tor six months.
dumps" Lane paid his fine of 500
n and costs, about $40, and gave bond
appear next term and show kc had III
violated the law.
The rule against Constable Il. I. Poo
to show cause why he had allowed
prisoner to escape, was dismissed.
The .iIrv was dismissed till Wednc
day morning.