The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-11-27
WILL HANG TODAY.
Frank Johnson, the Boy Murderer of
Austin Rye,
Will Soon Quit His Earthly Life and Go
Before His God to Answer For
His HeinOus Crime.

atrocious crimes recorded in the
pages of history will have been
avenged.
At the writing Of this article the
exact hour for the execution had not
been decided upon, but, according to
law, it will occur some time between
the hours Of 10 a. m. and 2 PPM. All
things are in readiness; the scaffold,
which is situated just behind the
county jail, was finished Tuesday
afternoon, and stands ready to do its
deadly work.
The crime for which Johnson for
feits his life to the law is so we'll and
generally known, because of it's
Nervousness, that it needs no
lengthy explanation here. In brief
it is as follows:
On the night of August l, 1895,
shortly after o'clock, Austin Rye,
negro man, was found on West
Seventh street, in front of the resi-
dence of DR.. Anthony Pillow, with
his brains oozing from CHASTITY
wound in the side of his head; and
an axe, besmeared with human
blood, was found laying by the road
side the next morning. Investiga-
ton showed that his pockets had
been rifled, and that he bad been
robbed of the small amount of money
he had on his person. The wounded
man fingered day or two in an un-
conscious condition, and died with
out speaking a word that would lead
to the Identification of his assassin.
Several arrests were made on suspi-
cion, but each of the accused proved
alibis and were released. Finally
the murderer, who had skipped the
town, was traced and captured by
the authorities. He acknowledged
his guilt, and in his confession i'm
plicated Milton Robinson, white
man, who, when given a hearing
made excellent proof as to his inno-
cence, and was released.
Failing to find in this man per-
son to tighten or share in the pun
ishment for his own dastardly deed,
Johnson implicated Jim Crowder,
and then Joe Montgomery, both of
whom proved their innocence.
Johnson's trial came up at the Sep
TENDER term of the Circuit Court.
Other evidence, besides his own con-
fession, was brought to light, and he
was found guilty and sentenced to
hang on the 9th day Of November,
1896. He was put in the county jail,
where he has lain until now.
Until the first of this week Johnson
has maintained careless mental
disposition, and he hardly seems to
have come to deep realization of
his situation yet. His appetite how
ever began to fail him Wednesday,
he was restless in his sleep and has
been in more sober state of mind
than heretofore. He was baptised
into the Baptist church last Sunday
by Rev. Elder, and as to his spiri-
tual welfare says 'all is we'll"
Yesterday being Thanksgiving
day, the doomed man was treated to
a nice Thanksgiving dinner-his last
dinner on earth-by the keeper. of
the Jail.
A HERALD reporter went to the
| jail and sought an interview with
the murderer. Johnson had been
troubled great deal by visitors dur
ing Tuesday, and requested that he
should be given rest, but, through
the kindness of Sheriff Webb
and Turnkey Frasier, the reporter
was conducted to his cell, and al
lowed a brief conversation with the
prisoner.
Frank, "said Sheriff Webb, in his
kind, pleasing manner, there is
some one who wants to talk to you"
Johnson, who Is mulatto some
thing over five and a half feet in
height, came to the door of his cell
and peered through the bars. He
looked tired and worried, and had q
down-cast, sorrowful expression on
his face, too aged for one of his
years.
Frank, 1 am HERALD report
er," said the interviewer. II want
to ask you few questions, but will
not bother you long. First, where
were you born?"
II was born at HardisOn's Mills,
in this county" he answered.
"How old are your"
mot quite eighteen"
"Are your father and mother liv-
ing?'
Eyes, sir"
"Where are they now?"
"They are living in franklin
"Have they been here to see your"
mo; they have not"
"Have you any brothers and sis
ters?"
Eyes; have seven"
"Have they visited your"
mo; don't want them to-"
Frank, you know your position
nothing you say can help or hurt
you; you have said many different
things; now tell me the truth about
your killing Austin Rye. Why and
how did you murder him?"
Here the prisoner clutched the
bars nervously, and seemed loath tc
speak on this subject.
II killed him just because could
I reckon"
us that all? That is a poor ex.
cuse for taking a mans life. Was
there anyone else with you wher
you killed him?"
mo; / was by myself"
"Mr. Sparrow says he saw two o
|. you together"
II was the only one who killed
him, anyway"
Had you been drinking tina
day."
"Yes, great DEAL"
Frank, can speak to thousand
IF fAr 1vo,,