Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-09
ON COPELAND'S SCAFFOLD A Negro and a White Pay the
 Death Penalty FOR A BRUTAL MURDER
r. D. Hashorn Afsd tie Negro to Murder
 His Wife.
HE MADE A STARTLING STATEMENT
Thought That the Woman Who Prompted Him to Do the Deed
 Ought Also to Hang.

-Hattiesburg, Miss. Jan. S.-(Special)- In accordance with the sentence passed upon them at the last term of the circuit court of this 1perry) county, F. D. Hathorn, white, and Thompson Wady, colored, were legally executed at the old town of Augusta, twenty miles east of this place, which is the site of the First district of Perry county.
 The crime of which the men were con victed was the murder in October last of Hathorn's wife, the negro being hired to commit the crime, which was one of the most brutal ever committed in this state, by the husband of the woman.
 The execution took place In the court house square in sight of the gallows on which James Copeland the noted outlaw, met death nearly forty years ago, and was witnessed by crowd of over 300 peo- pie. The men have been confined in the jail at this place since their capture, but were taken out to the scene of the eXecu- tion yesterday morning at an early hour, and upon their arrival at the jail placed under the death watch. The solemn march from the small jail to the scaffod was be- gun shortly after noon today. The con- demned men walked with firm, steady tread and mounted the Scaffold in the same manner. Both were allowed to talk
  mitted for the second time his part in the commission of the crime but stated, by way of extenuation. that he was urged on by young white woman, Josephine Merritt by name, for whom he deserted his wife and with whom he lived for a while. Just before the black cap was ad- justed he said he ought to be hung, but that the Merritt woman should be re- quired to die also, as she was the one that instigated the crime and her father knew Af The a of Marritt is minister of the gospel, was among the spectators when Hathorn made this startling statement. The old man con- tradicted it, and then followed an ar gument between him and the condemned man.
 The drop fell at 1:35, and fifteen or twenty minutes later the men were pro- nounced dead and the bodies taken down. Hathorn's remains will be buried be- side those of his wife tomorrow morn- ing. He was a first cousin of N. c. Hathorn, popuite senator from Marion county, and a well-known man in this part of the state.
 History of the Crime.
 The crime for which F. D. Hathorn and Thompson Wade were legally exe- cuted was committed on the night of October last at the Hathorn home stead, about fourteen miles east of Hat tesburg. Appalling in it's conception, it was most atrociouS in its execution, and for fiendishness stands unrivalled in the history of crime in east Mississippi. man. after living with his wife nearly thirty years and assisting her in the rear- ing of eleven children, forsakes her to enter upon an illicit intimacy with young white woman of the neighborhood, who is his junior by over twenty-five years.
 In fragrant disregard for his marital vows and the customs of society, the man continues this intimacy and con- cubinage, and in the course of time the wife learns of her husbands infidelity. She uses every means within her power to induce him to discontinue his relations with the young woman but finding her efforts unavailing, she declines to lend her sanction to her husbands action by living with him as wife, and though ne continues to make his home under the same roof with her, she Is wife in name only.
 The husband then seeks to have his mistress and his family live in the same house, but finding the wife violently op- posed to such an unusual and base pro- ceeding, he resorts to other means with the accomplishment of his purpose in view He endeavors first under one pre- tense and then under another, to have her deed to him her one-half interest in the home that by her labor she had help ed to pay for, but she again refuses to accede to his wishes. Baffied and enrag- ed beyond mea sure, the husband resolves to make way with the woman who Cor over a quarter of century had proved R loving and dutiful help-mate, and so he planned her murder.
 Fearing the vengeance of the law, Hat horn dare not commit the crime him. self, but bargains with the negro, Wade, with that object in view He finds in !. this ignorant and brutish negro a ready and willing accomplice, who in consider ation of a few paltry dollars which are paid him in advance, he agrees to com init the murder and he and Hathorn then and there decide upon the night of Octo- ber as a suitable time for the execu- ton of this deviish scheme. Repeated conferences between the two are held. and at the last conference, a few days before the date decided upon, Wade re- ceives his final instructions They are that he (Wade) is to proceed to the home of the Hathorn family shortly after dark on the night agreed upon and station himself near window, where he may be able to see clearly all that transpires on the inside, and there he is to wait till a certain hour of the night. when he knows Hathorn is in bed, and when the last act in this master piece of villainy and bloody drama will be played.
 In strict accordance with this agree ment on the night of the 7th, at the hour agreed upon, Wade repaired to the Hat horn homestead, and by means of pre- arranged signal, notified the latter of his presence. At moment when none of his family are cognizant Hathorn leaves the room, and taking his shotgun. well charged, from the hall, where he had placed it, carries it to the negro, who is already in the yard, gives it to him with the parting injunction, Be firm. take good aim and shoot true to the mark The diabolical white scoundfel returned 10 his room to await the execution of his plans. His wife, with no premonition. of the awful death in store for her, remains in her room and with her children gath cred about her is enjoying a good rest, well-earned by hard days work in per forming the onerous duties of the large household.
 The proper hour having arrived the