Evening journal., 1894-07-07
HANGING OF JACKSON.
Queen Anne's Brutal Murderer
Made a Speech
STANDING, BoUND,OE THEsoAFFOID


ttunareds Of People Were Attracted to
the Scene of Execution BY the Notable
Event-RanRing Entirely Successful.
JacksOn's Foul Deed on Queen Anne
Farm.
CENTREvILLE, Nd, July 7.-Yester-
days execution, that Of Negro William
Jackson, who killed Farmer George
Leager, was the FIRST that has occurred
at Centreville in the present generation
and large number Of people were at
tracted to town. Some arrived al day
break and occupied trees, sheds, fences
and roofs In the vicinity Of the Jail, but
no disturbance occurred. The people
were perfectly quiet, readily obeying the
orders of the sheriff and his dosen
deputies. Among the eatliest 70 arrive
were Nathan Grossley Mrs. Leager's
son, and brother of Mr.. Leager. Very
few colored people were present. The
scsffold worked perfectly. A photograph
was taken Of the prisoner and party on
the scaffold just previous to the fall of
the trap, and copies were eagerly
sought for last night.
Made Speech on the scafc.d.
Sheriff Bryan had completed arrange.
ments at the appointed hour, 80 p m
After prayer in his cell with his spiritual
advisers, Revs. }. II. Scott, j. z. Webb
and +. Q. Wright, and singing several
hymns Jackson walked from the rear
door Of the Jail directly on to the scaffold
aud took his position on the trap with
out any apparent trepidatlon
A crowd of about 600 people had as
semoled in the vicinity of the jail and
| the condemned man expressed a desire to
address them This was permitted and
while the sheriff was adjusting the
moose and binding his feet and arms he
made a rambling speech, in which he re-
affirmed his innocence of any malicious
intention TO kill Mr.. Leager, saying that
be was justified in the act, and hoped
that his life would prove warning to
others He had come here a stranger,
be said and had always tried TO conduct
himself properly, but the law had com
PEELED him to stand on the scRffold. He
then bade good bye to all ana sh ook
hands withithe sheriff and the ministers
who stood by his side.
| While the mau was speaking it be
came necessary to slightly alter the ar
rangement Of the rope, and he hushed
aud turned toward the sheriff When
told to proceed he said, Thank you,
sir" and talked for several minutes
longer. He then requested the sheriff to
wipe the perspirRtion from his face.
| The black cap was placed upon his
head and Sheriff Bryan pulled the rope
that sprung the trap, aud in fifteen
minutes jackson was pronounced dead
by the ply sicians, Drs. Bordley, Finley and
Cooley. The drop was about FIVE feet,
dislocating the neck. AT first Jackson
struggled somewhat, contracting his
limbs and once or twice attempting TO
raise his hands. After being pronounced
dead he was placed in his coffin and
buried in Centreville Cemetery.
When he went TO bed on Thursday
night, he slept soundly until aroused at
$3.50 yesterday morning. After bath he ate
a hearty breakfast of beefsteak, eggs,
coffee and warm rolls. On being asked
how he felt he replied that he was com
Portable and had passed peaceful night.
The ministers soon returned and re-
NAMED with him until after the execn-
tion, reading the Bible, singing and
praying with him. His conduct through.
out was self possessed and unfsltering
at II o'clock he ate a substantial din
ner of fried chicken and vegetables
which he apparently relished. His new
suit of clothing was then handed to him
in which he carefully dressed himself
and then called for his ministers BE
talked freely and quietly, and stated to
the newspaper men that he was
resigned to death.
The History of This Murder
which was committed in the upper part
of Queen Anne's county on the 18th OF
last April. is told in the testimony of the
step-son of the murdered man, lad Il
years Of age. This statement was as
follows
jackson came 70 the door of the barn
and called to my father, saying, 4 would
like to see you minute. Pa started
down. saying,
Hand me the hatchet; I'll put II
away My father met jackson near th'
pump. jackson says pay me my money
I'll leave. My father said all right anC
put his left hand in his pocket. / die
not hear any words jackson knocked
him down, aud then down again.
"The hatchet was still in his right
/ hand, hanging down. l started to my
father, jumping from the loft window
with the pitchfork Jackson shot hin
while down, firing three shots, the las
, striking me in the breast, passing
through my arm. l dropped the forl
! when shot
"My father never got up. I was abou
as far as that man from them when sho
IA distance Of about ten yards) My
b. father never attempted to strike. Jack
, son wrenched the hatchet from m,
father and struck him, cutting hi
, wrist as he was trying to gain his feet
He went down again, stumbling towar'
me, Jackson still following him.
! According to his own account jackson
was born in Richmond, Va, in 1882. anC
belonged to Dr. George Seiser. Whel
!. about year old he was carried to Littl'
< Rock, Arkansas. In that state he spen
! fl We years in the penitentiary. One o
. his previous crimes was the shooting o
a a colored man through the arm. Ii
3 came to Queen Anne's county last year.
\ The Carriage Was In service.
City Treasurer Adams says that VIII
lam Gum, Of the Water Witch Stesr
Fire Engine Company, did not drive th
!. hose wagon to the fire on Thursday night