The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-11
HANGING AT ABBEVILLE.
Tom Peterson Pays the Penalty for
His Crime.

In obedience 10 the order Of court, Sheriff
Nance hanged Tom Peterson in the jail last
Friday morning at 1910. His neck was brok-
drop fell. He was hanged In the "well" OF
the stairway in third story Of the building.
Sheriff Nance conducted the execution with
perfect success, and maintained decorum.
There were only q few witnesses.
The condemned man walked from his cell
accompanied by Priest Of the Roman Cath
olic religion. He said nothing in the pres.
epce OF the witnesses TO the execution, :. but
it is presumed his conversion was as real and
as genuine as was that OF the others who had
recently gone 10 heaven by that same Trap
Walker Derrick had written 10 the Govern
or begging for little more time In which TO
prepare himself, for walking The city OF gold
en- street and pearly gates. The Governor
Sheriff 10 postpone his execution until next
Friday. Tom Peterson learning OF errick q
success, wrote similar letter In his own be.
half, but the Governor declined 10 extend ms
time. These appeals to the Governor by these
poor, weak, friendless creatures are enough
TO excite sympathy for the doomed men.
They had no rich and powerful friends TO ap-
social or political influence, and, unlike the
acquitted criminals, they must pay the PEN
atty, while others equally deserving OF death
" When the body of Tom Peterson was cut
down, 1t was placed in coffin, and immedi-
ately carried 10 the poor house burying
ground, and there buried by the county.
We believe that the right TO be buried
to those who are executed by the law, and SO
IL is that there has heretofore been no we'll
settled policy, or clearly defined burial
ground for those who have been aing hanged; On On
cuted people were not claimed by their
friends, the interment has been made some
times on the jail lot.
We have nothing to say about the burials
of such unfortunate persons, but 1t does seem,
II there is sentiment against their burial IN
church yards that the same respect shouAd
be paid TO the grave yard OF the poor mouse.
Through misfortune of various kinds as good
people as live may become inmates of the
poor house, and II they die in that institu-
tion their graves should be as sacred or as
free from disrespect as other places or IKE
character. We leave 1t for others 10 say II 1t
down among the bodies of respectable peo-
pie, who have committed no crime, except
that which attaches to2overty:
ecuted was a premeditated, wilful murder,
which had been planned by Venner Ray, who
had become notorious tor bis violations OF
the liquor law Of the State. He was too
smart, or too cowardly, to commit the crime
himself and 80 he inspired his henchman.
Tom Peterson, with the Idea that he ought TO
Kill the constable, j. j. Moseley, who was
trying TO enforce the law, and interfere with
his ilIegitimate business.
While Moseley's death was directly charge,
able TO the poor creature who was hanged
last Friday, yet we believe that his death
may be laid primarily, at the door OF those
newspapers, and such people as ,saught
to DEFY the liquor law Of the State. Venner
Ray, was bad man, and he naturally drew
around him set OF men who never worked.
Tom Peterson, in his confession. said that
Venner. Ray was regularly in the liquor busl-
ness, with gambling as q side show, and that
neither he nor his associates ever worked al
any honorable pursuit.
4 80 mr.
his illegitimate business must have been gen.
orally known, and, encourageu.by the exist
ing opposition TO the law. he made bold 10
break II, fearing no Ill.
Constable Moseley was sent 10 GREENWOOD
by the State authorities, with instructions 70
enforce the law. Moseley was fearless and
courageous man who attempted 70 his duty
faithfully and cUnscientiously. Ills Irenos
knew the danger 10 which he was exposed,
and had warned him, and from The testimony
IL seems that his death was no great surprise.
The LIQUOR element had become 80 pronounc-
Way with Moseley. He induced Tom Peter
son to shoot him, which evil design was ac'
complished at the Seaboard Air Line depot IN
Greenwood on the night OF OCTOBER 18TH, 1888.
About one O'Clock, when Moseley was seiZlng
LIQUOR which had arrived by the train, Tom
Peterson slipped up behind him and shot
him In the back OF the head, serverlng tne
spinal column from the brain. Death was IN
Simultaneous. A good life was forfeited be-
cause OF the revolutionary or incendlary
speeches of violent politicians, and men who
honestly and conscientionally thought that
the curtailment of the liquor traffic was
wrong, and an abrldgment OF their rights,
are primarily responsible for Moseley's death.
When public sentiment IL very strong or very
unanimous against any one, II generally oe-
yelopes in some one, the daring and courage
to do bodily harm, and in doing so he often
represents public sentiment. Think OF the
political murders that have occurred In this
County in yeritication Of this statement.