Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-04
FRUIT OF TIE DEATH TREE A HideouS Cluster Ripens in the
 July Sun. MANY FEASA THEIR EYES The Triple Ha( at MayersyiIle, Miss, Pass' o Without Hitch.
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RunoRs 9 , ScuE QUICKLY DIssIpATe
Dram"tie s:'ry of the Terrible Crime for Whl Enc Wretches suffered-An Impressive Instance of Negro
 Superstition - Details.

Mayersville, Miss, July 3.--Never in the history of this village has such a crowd been assembled as was here today Every species of vehicles all classes of mules and all grades and pedigrees of hcrses were No be seen coming from early this morning till the hour fixed for the ex- ecution. There had been some talk of a rescue, which, upon investigation, turned out to be without foundation. It may be added, however, that the negroes of Is- saquena county are almost to a unit in their feeling in this matter. and all of them agree that these men are being pun ished properly. The only difference of opinion anywhere to be found is the fact that the hanging is public, which appears to some as an unnecessary exhibition of the power of the law.
 At II o'clock under a strong guard these men Were taken from their places in the jail where they have been for some time, and conducted ito the place of execution.
 It will be remembered that D. R. King, a flat boatman, moored his craft at a point short distance below Carolina landing last March and proceeded to carry on the business of selling goods to the people living along the banks Of the great stream. This population is com- posed almost exclusively of colored peo- pie, the whites being about one to fifteen. They remained some time, making few acquaintances among the more influen- tial.
 It appears that King. and his family became popular with this population, and remained longer than usual with this class of tradesmen. In the flat boat were King himself his wife, the story of whose heroism has thrilled the continent, and an infant baby On the night of the 17th of March a man called at the fiat boat at about o'clock and was admitted. A few minutes were spent in chatting after a purchase of few small arts, when out of the darkness came shot, which struck King full in the face and neck. Pandemonium reigned, and amid tears and cries Bob Purvis and Grant Wilson were asked to leave. The shot had been fired, according to his state ment. by Griff Hubbard, who explained that his intention had been to frighten the flat boatman, while his confederate plundered the boat. Their plan miscar- ried, and they were pushed out into the darkness. After a few hours they re- newed the attack, which was repelled by the wife with her husbands weapons. King was left alone with his family, who were without medical attention for three or four days, and was finally brought to Vicksburg, where he died in the hospital. The prisoners were arrest ed and made divers and Sundry confess sions to numbers of persons, differing in detail, but agreeing in the main fact that all three of them and one other had been engaged in conspiracy to rob and plunder Kings boat, but agreeing that murder was not their purpose when they made the attack. It will be remembered that Judge Gilland called a special term of the circuit court to try these men, and after the trial, which was attended with , many dramatic incidents, they were con victed and sentenced to be hanged today.
 The gallows was built with drop for the prisoners, instead of a weight, as is the custom in the county All three were firm and apparently free from the fear which is sometimes exhibited by men under like conditions. The doomed men made statements to the vast throng pres ent, warning the young against similar fates. and assuring their hearers that they were at peace with the Great Judge who sits in the court of last resort. There was a great deal of sobbing among the impressionables in the crowd, but no in- cidents out of the usual occurred to in- terrupt the proceedings.
 At about II: :45 the trap was sprung and Bob Purvis, Griff Hubbard and Grant Wilson fell swiftly through the opening into the great unknown. They spun around at a most rapid rate for minute and finally settled down with their faces in different directions. Dr. w H. Scud- der, a prominent physician, pronounced Grant Wilson and Bob Purvis dead after six minutes while signs of life were ap- parent in Grif Hubbard until after ten minutes.
 Within a few minutes after the three men were cut down violent rain storm caused everybody to look for shelter For some days the more superstitous among our colored people have been saying that the excessive rains which have rem dered cotton crop of any size an in- possible thing and have damaged the corn crop greatly, would not cease until this hanging should be over with The storm today fbut confirms their opinion that the heavens are weeping over the shedding of so much blood. They say now that fair days and dewy nights will be the rule here and that the cotton will grow and the grass will fade beneath the uninterrupted rays.
 Hard times enlarge the sales of Prices