Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-08
THE DEATH PENALTY.
HARRY CHAPMAN HANGED AT CUL-
PEPPER YESTERDAY
For the Murder OF Henry PendIe-
ton-Both Colored-A Quiet Execu-
of the Crime. f...
of the Crime.

CULPEPER, VA. August 7.-(Speclal) y
o'clock this morning Harry Chapman
(colored). the self-confessed murderer Of
Henry Pendleton (also, coloredD, paid the
penalty OF his crime on the ga!lows. The
procession TO the scaffold moved through
the rear door Of the jail, and entered the
execution enclosure by side door to
avoid the curious gaze OF the crowd that
lined the courtyard and jail fence. This
crowd numbered not less than 500. and
was kept back by a detail Of militia.
The prisoner was accompanied TO the
scaffold by the Rev. Robert Jones, his
spiritual adviser, who has been with the
prisoner almost constantly for the last
two weeks. and six other colored minis
tiers. The steps leading to the gallows
numbered thirteen, and up these Chapman
walked with firm tread, and knelt IN
prayer. Rev. Robert Jones. in the name
Of the doomed man, spoke a few words.
BABE ALL FAREWELL.
Chapman then stepped forward. and
clearly and distinctly, except for a slight,
natural impediment in his speech, babe
everybody a farewell. The moose was
then adjusted by Deputy-Sherin James II.
Judd, who assisted by his 16-year-old
son, had charge Of the execution, the
trap was quickly sprung, and the doomed
man shot down through the opening. lie
never moved a muscle, and at II 90 the
jail physician DR.. Robert S. Lewis, pro-
nounced him dead. On examination 1t
was found that Chapman's neck had
been broken in the fall. The rope used
in the execution was the same that had
been used upon several similar occasions.
the last time when Solomon Marable was
hanged i'm Farmyille. on July Sd. 1t was
loaned to Sheriff Pulliam by Sheriff over
by, of Pittsylvania.
CHAPMAN'S CRIME.
The crime for which Chapman paid the
penalty on the gallows this morning was
the killing OF Henry Pendleton at Rixey-
vile last September, and the trouble was
about Chapman's mother. He saw Pen
dleton at Rixeyville, and determined TO
have his life. He borrowed an old musket
from his brOther-in-law, and hid in
path that he thought Pendleton would
cross on his way home. Fate directed
Pendletons steps in another direction,
and Chapman missed his prey. He then
went to Pendleton's house, where he saw
his NlClln gathering a udshtA VI cups Tut
the morning fire, for PendletOn lived
alone. Chapman, standing in the shadow,
waited until the moon cast its full light
upon his victim. He then deliberately
shot his head off. He cut Pendleton's
pockets open to rob him. but changed
his mind, and simply stole n pair of pants
off the line. He was at once suspected
and arrested. He confessed the fore
going facts. and tried to implicate his
brother-in-law, Henry Settle. in the
crime. claiming that Settle urged and
Influenced him to commit the deed, loaded
the gun, and gave it TO him for the
purpose of killing Pendleton. Settle was
arrested, but It was impossible 10 get
proof Of his being an accessory, and he
was acquitted.
TWICE TRIED.
Chapman was tried twice in the County
Court. and he was both times promptly
sentenced to death His white friends
worked hard for Communication, but with
out avail. About twenty-five persons were
present at the execution, Among them
were John f. Lawter. Sergeant of Nor
folk. and William Rosser, Sheriff Of Page
county. Chapman hade a written state
ment this morning. which is simply
repetition of the facts already stated.
The vast crowd in town was augmented